Comments for First Time Mama

Comment on Signing Up For Kindergarten by Holly

Holly — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:57:22 +0000

Oh my gosh.. I will be signing up my little girl for Kindergarten come the beginning of the year, and I really have mixed feelings about it! I know she will love it- she is very outgoing and energetic… but sometimes she is shy and I’m going to miss her so much. She has never been with a babysitter or gone to preschool, now I will be leaving her for a full day. Her younger brother will probably not know what to do with himself (he just turned 1). It will sure be quiet around here!

Comment on Kindergarten – 25 Days Later by Toddler Crafts Onna

Toddler Crafts Onna — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:14:47 +0000

It’s amazing how they go off and adjust so quickly isn’t it? We settled in about a week or so later. My son takes the bus, and we quickly got into a routine-he hold my hand we walk to the edge of the driveway, the bus drive says “safe to cross” we do, and he gets on the bus. I still wave and watch as the bus goes down the street. It’s hard to believe his school year is almost over! I haven’t heard of any stories yet, although I am SURE there are some!!

Comment on Kindergarten – What’s The Right Teacher to Child Ratio? by FTMama

FTMama — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:34:37 +0000

God bless you! I can’t imagine being alone (or even in a duo) with that many small children, especially if the class has any boys in it!

Comment on Kindergarten – What’s The Right Teacher to Child Ratio? by The Mom Jen

The Mom Jen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:58:20 +0000

20 or less, seriously, K’s are high maintenance! I taught K/1 for 2 years before kids!

Comment on Kindergarten Teacher-Child Ratios Part II by Onna@toddlercraft.net

Onna@toddlercraft.net — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 03:02:11 +0000

Wow – Julie!! Thanks you !! I am so excited!! The kids LOVE to use sidewalk chalk! We are frequently making obstacle courses and raceways with it!! I can’t wait to get it and surprise them with it!! Thanks so much!! You have some fun giveaways!!

I love your post!! Oh what they learn away from home!! We don’t have control of all they learn now that they are in school! Kind of scary sometimes!!

Onna

Comment on What A Difference A Year Makes — Kindergarten Development by FTMama

FTMama — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:38:56 +0000

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your wonderful comment.

This is fascinating. I LOVE the idea of the mid-day meal prepared from local produce. My kid gets chicken nuggets that are delivered on a truck, and the only local food is Friday’s weekly pizza “party” ;(

And doesn’t “Maternelle” sound nice?

Comment on What A Difference A Year Makes — Kindergarten Development by Kevin Phoenix

Kevin Phoenix — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:42:17 +0000

My daughter and her partner delivered my first grandson, Rory, whilst living here in France.

In France Kindergarten is known as Maternelle, children normally attend from around age 4 years, 4 days a week, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The school provides a 3 course meal at mid-day, prepared from local produce in the school kitchens by local residents.

The school has 2 classes, ages 4-6 and 8-10; those aged 6-8 go to a different class in another (local) school. In the 2 classes there is presently about 25 children (in total).

The youngest class get an hours rest on a cot in the school after lunch.

When Rory was about 2.5 years old, my daughter visited the school to find out more about entry requirements, ages, etc.

The teacher asked her “Is he clean?”, i.e. potty trained. To which my daughter replied “Yes”.

“Well, in that case”, responded the teacher, “bring him along tomorrow…”

And that was it!

One little boy, raised in an English speaking family, not a word of French, off to school 4 days a week… no ifs, buts or maybes.

Now aged 4 on 6th June 2009, he only speaks French at school and is the classroom clown.

Doesn’t like speaking French at home – unless, of course, you are French.

And says to his grandfather (me) “Grumpy… your accent is terrible” ;o)

Comment on What A Difference A Year Makes — Kindergarten Development by FTMama

FTMama — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:36:08 +0000

Yes, I do wonder how determined I’ll be second time around (must remember, it’s first time around for YoungerBrotherG!)

Oh the drawing and writing! I’m looking forward to getting a collection of his ‘journals’ together to look over them.

I’m definitely going to try to volunteer more next year.

Comment on What A Difference A Year Makes — Kindergarten Development by Onna@toddlercraft.net

Onna@toddlercraft.net — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:23:51 +0000

Wow-you are one determined mommy! So glad you got to at least witness the celebration! I have been lucky enough to babysit one of my sons best friends since he was 2 and I am so amazed at their development-in their friendship and individually! I have been able to volunteer in my sons class every other week since March and I love it! I felt the same way-wondering what they were doing at school and what it was like, so I have been really excited to be a part of it now! Even in this short time I see growth in the children in the class.

I am also amazed at the difference in my sons drawing and writing since September! I was looking at work from September compared to now and it looks completely different. So much more detail and precise letters. It is pure joy to see how they learn! I guess it doesn’t slow down yet!

Comment on Signing Up For Kindergarten by FTMama

FTMama — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:43:14 +0000

What a relief! And interesting too. Has he had ups and downs, or steady progress, do you think? (I ask because my boy is very up and down…)

Oh, that first day! I had added weirdness of sending my younger son out to preschool, so I actually had an empty house. I couldn’t settle to anything all morning. (I got over that quickly, though!).