We participate in a co-op for homeschooling families here in St. Louis. Ellie attended the two-year old class last semester. She loved her teacher, was always eager to go to class, and came home happy after our day out.
But, they told me, she was to move up to the 3-4 year old room this semester. They call it the Pre-School room. Ellie – a pre-schooler?? – What about her two-year old room routine where I confidently took her every co-op session?
Also, I taught in the room next door to the 3-4′s last semester and there was a very loud little girl in there who I could overhear as she shouted at the teacher and other children. There was much ruckus and the teachers even looked rather harried.
Hmmmm? I thought about leaving her in the 2′s – it was her teacher’s suggestion in fact. But, hmmm, she should move up, be stimulated…They assigned a more experienced, capable teacher to this room to help run a tighter ship.
Today she happily went into the Pre-School room. She headed right into class and was delighted with all the pattern blocks and lego’s laying out just waiting for the children to dive into. She eagerly dove.
We always eat lunch together. After we ate, she pointed out this beautiful little blond girl and said, “That is my new friend, Mommy.”
Guess who?
Guess who got the bigger lesson here?