Preschool

I used to have a strong dislike for preschool. Even now there are a lot of things I do not like about it (particularly I don't like the pressure that is placed on parents to put their kids in preschool).  When I was a new mom, I hated the idea of sending my kids to preschool and fought anyone who told me my kids would do better at preschool than at home. However, as my kids got older, I soon realized that not all preschools are the same, and not all kids are the same.  Some kids need extra academic help; some just crave the social setting; and some moms just need a little break.  Wesley didn't go to preschool, Chase went two days a week, and now Blake attends three days a week.  To be honest, I'm enjoying the small break, and my social butterfly is enjoying his new social life.  After researching a lot of preschools, I finally found one that seemed like a  perfect fit for Blake's needs.  His preschool is a creative arts preschool that is located inside a dance studio.  Its very different from any other preschool in this area (and there are A LOT), and its just so much fun!   There is a dance/movement room, an exploration room, and a "classroom" where they do lots of amazing art projects, have rug time, and learn about numbers/letters/writing.  There is also a little outdoor center where the kids have planted a garden, made bird feeders, and so much more. Each week Blake's school focuses on a different theme, and this school REALLY goes all out with the themes. For farm week they brought chickens to school!  For animal week they had puppies, a hedgehog, and a turtle.  The kids attend a music and movement class each day and they learn dances that are very specific to what they are learning that week.  The discovery room is full of science projects, crafts, exploration/sensory bins, toys, and dress up clothing that all have to do with the weekly theme.  The art projects are not always typical preschool art.  In art class the kids learn about famous artists; they create art using lots of different mediums; they paint on ceramic; play with clay; create 3-d models, and so much more.  His school also incorporates food into the themes, and the kids sometimes make their own food in the school kitchen. One of my favorite things about this preschool is that his teacher sends a cute weekly newsletter full of pictures so I can see exactly what Blake has been learning.  At this school the kids are only sitting at a desk doing "typical" school work for five minutes per day.  They rest of the time they are moving, playing, and learning in many different ways. Kids have to attend school their entire childhood where they are forced to sit still for hours each day.  Preschool should be the one time kids can actually have fun and just be kids!

Blake made these caterpillar seed creatures at school.  He brought it home, watered it every day, and it turned into a beautiful, fuzzy green caterpillar!

Blake got to make and bring home his own dinosaur habitat 

For bird week his made his own bird feeder and got to bring it home and hang it in our garden

Once a week Blake stays after school and attends a tap/jazz class

Blake with his ceramic butterfly he painted, as well as his art project and caterpillar (before it sprouted) 

During "Caterpillar" week the kids got to pretend to be emerging butterflies coming out of cocoons 

The kids learn to write their names in many different ways because sitting at a desk, writing on paper is boring! 

For dinosaur week the kids got to excavate their own dinosaurs AND make their own fossils!  Its such a FUN preschool! 

For garden week the teachers showed the kids how to make their own apple cider