The first full week of Pre-School had ended, and we are all exhausted. The children, parents, teachers, directors, and support staff, all of us! It has been an emotionally and intellectually draining week.
Whether you were the three-year-old and starting school for the first time or the teacher with many years of experience, you are exhausted. We all had a very similar experience this week no matter who we were. We all had many new names and routines to learn.
It is a week of firsts for all. Our young students may have experienced being away from their parents or primary caregiver for the first time. Parents may have entrusted their precious child to complete strangers for the first time. Teachers are nervously making that first impression to a dozen or more new families. They need to learn new schedules for their students and each child’s individual needs. What does the child enjoy doing and how they learn best, is there a food restriction? The director and her support staff are trying to remember the names of both the children and parents of every new family that has joined the school this year, and which classroom they are in. They are making schedule changes to accommodate family needs and ensuring all the correct emergency and pickup information is on file. All of this is exciting and stressful and exhausting.
Let’s take this weekend to breathe. Get some sleep, do something fun.
Parents if your child is a little out of sorts, cranky or tired, they were very busy this week. They had friendships to form, new adults to get to know and many exciting learning centers to explore. They may need a slower routine this weekend.
Teachers, directors, and support staff be mindful that this was all new to many of your families. The Parent Handbook they received is full of policies and procedure to get familiar with in addition to the stress of leaving their child in an unfamiliar environment. Especially if they cried at drop-off!
Children, this was new for your parents too! They may need extra hugs. Your teachers will know your name, which lunch box is yours and how many pets you have by the end of next week, do not worry! (Yes I know they cannot read this!)
We have had just a few days to get to know each other. It will take us a little longer to build a relationship based on trust and understanding. Every year the first week can feel overwhelming, but it is also exciting! We know that in a few short weeks, the routine will be set and the joy of watching the children grow and learn throughout the year will amaze us once again, both parents and staff.
Enjoy the weekend.
See you at school on Monday!
Copyright 2017 © Michele Fortier
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