Preschool preview
So Desmond and Eloise had their preschool previews today. It is a short 30 minute visit where they meet their teachers and play in their new classrooms so they can get use to them. They split them up so there are only 6 or 7 kids in the preview. Eloise’s was first, she had actually met the 5 other kids she was with, either at playdates, or through the past year because they have an older sibling in class with Desmond.
Quick aside, the parents of the kids in Eloise’s preschool class have been doing playdates to introduce them to each for the past month. It was a great idea, we were able to make 2 of the 3 playdates. It let Eloise meet all of the kids in her class, but 2, and start getting comfortable around them. She isn’t very comfortable around them, as in she won’t play with any of them, but she is at least willing to play in the same room as them rather then clinging on to me. We are happy for little steps. I really had fun on the playdates as it was a great way to meet the other moms and kids.
Okay back to the preview. Eloise’s was first, she has seen her teacher before, since Desmond had her as one of his summer camp teachers. She also saw her in the halls sometimes last year as we waiting to pick up Desmond. She has also met the other 5 kids in her group (there are 2 groups of 6 for the preschool into). She won’t talk to anyone again. She was willing however to play, she made a magnatile tower, she drew a pictures, she played with dinosaurs and she went down the little slide in the classroom a dozen times. She looked at her teacher, but won’t talk to her, but at least she knows who she is now. I see a not very happy child on Tuesday when she goes to preschool for an hour with just the other 5 kids in her group. Fortunately the 2 year old class starts with an hour the first day of preschool, and then 2 hours the second day with all the kids on the second day, before going into the regular 3 or 4 hour class (those that stay for lunch are there for 4 hours, Eloise is there for lunch since Desmond is) on the 3rd day. She was very cute, and had fun, even with the whole not interacting with anyone else thing.
On the other hand, Desmond went into his class, came to me 2 or 3 times to ask me, “Why are you here Mommy? Are you staying with me at preschool?” I had to explain to him that it was only for today and the short preview, that next week it would be regular preschool with no Mommy. He really wasn’t sure why I was staying, it is preschool Mom, go away! He could have totally skipped his preview and been quite happy on Tuesday in his class with all his friends. He will be thrilled because 2 of the little boys he loves to play with are there the exact same days as him (well one is there M-F, but the other one is there Tuesday – Friday like him).
I never did get a picture of Desmond. Here is Eloise at the top of the slide before going down.
