Jake starts Kindergarten tomorrow. Just that sentence feels strange to type; it shouldn't, given that him going to school was an inevitability in whatever country we lived in, but at the same time, it's a strange realization to think that this is the start of a 13 year journey of continuous schooling (and hopefully beyond, but we'll cross that bridge in 2030...), and a 16 year process when you add Sophie into the mix.
So it felt strange going to another person's classroom this evening for their "open house". Don't get me wrong, I must have been in over 200 classrooms in the course of my career so far, but each time it's been with a purpose related to my job - observe a child, provide support, teach, borrow a stapler etc. This was the first time I went in a non-professional role, as a parent. That also felt strange to write, as while I know that I have two kids and that "parent" is one of my roles in life, it's not one that I pick out immediately when talking about myself, but my drive to take Jake for open evening was definitely built on my desire to see where he will be during the day (my mum will laugh as she always likes to have mental pictures of where we all are!) and to see what his classroom looks like. It was strange to see his name on the door, and his cubby (also written as Jacob...I know I've done that as a teacher, so I hope that he's brave enough to make himself be called Jake!). It was also strange to see his surname written out, and it was the first time I felt a little guilty for giving him Forbes Wolfson (especially when his "rainbow" table buddies have last names like "Grant" and "Chick"). It's a lot to learn to write (it took him awhile to learn to introduce himself fully) but at the same time, I wouldn't have it any other way.
I sit here feeling strangely on the other side to his education experience. I know about everything that he's going to go through this year from the eyes of his teacher. I know that he will be one of 18 kids and that his teacher will do her best to see him as much as possible, to give him what he needs and to help him grow this year, because that's what I do with every kid who comes into my classroom. At the same time, I know that each child in my own classroom belongs to someone else, and they have the same desire for their individual child to succeed and develop as I have for Jake. So I can see both sides, which makes me feel less worried that I think I would be otherwise.
I'm also glad that we were able to give him the extra year that he's had of pre-K work. In the UK, he would be starting year 1, having already completed one year of formal schooling. While I know the reception class work is play based, I still feel pleased that he had a year to grow a little, gain some social skills, develop his emotional literacy as well as begin playing with letters and numbers. That extra year, combined with the work that we're doing at home on rule following, independence and kindness, means that I feel safe and happy sending him into Kindergarten tomorrow ready to start his school journey. Go Jake, a member of the class of 2030!
