Sampler

So, as all of you know, Mac has a summer birthday, which is GREAT for throwing birthday parties but not so great when thinking about school. Will he be ready when he's five? Should we hold him back? He could be challenged if sent on time or bored if held back. He might be a giant in comparison for his peers if we hold him back, which I don't want (but at least he's a boy!). See?!?! This over analysis goes on and on (and on!) in my head.

Well, we signed Mac up for preschool for this coming fall. But part of me still felt like he is so young! Let's be honest, the trend is to hold back summer kids, especially if they have August birthdays...which means with his July birthday, he legit could be the youngest kid in his class. Anyway (more over analysis!), our ECFE program offered a Preschooler Sampler this spring for kids who are age eligible for preschool in the fall. It is once a week for four weeks. I drop him off at 8:45 and pick him up at 10:45. So it gives them a taste of what preschool will be like. This is the description:

At the sampler class your child will have the opportunity to experience all the activities the preschool curriculum offers, such as activities that build thinking skills, group time, music, free play and large motor play. The OWL Literacy Curriculum will be highlighted.

Mac had his first day of Preschool Sampler yesterday. For those of you who know our morning schedule, to be up and out the door by 8:20 is NOT an easy feat...I had to wake the poor lad up! He was a little confused when we got there because it is the same building as our ECFE class (it is one classroom down from ECFE). We signed him in, hung his coat in his locker (that had his name on it and everything!! So official.) and walked in to the new room. He saw a reading nook that had a canopy over it and immediately said, "Look, momma, a hideout!" And he was off. I waited a few minutes and then had to beg him for a "hud and a tiss" (i.e. hug and a kiss) before I left. It may have also helped that three or four of his friends from ECFE where also in the Sampler, so there were a few familiar faces.

And...shocker (not!), he did great! I even got two thumbs up from the teacher when I picked him up. He told me he played with dinosaurs. I'd love to be a fly on the wall...or have a live video feed! Ha, and I'm honestly NOT a helicopter parent!!! Just curious. Plus, I really enjoyed my two hours of freedom (I got to spend it with my husband before he left for a week-long business trip)!!