Tate has been in his new class since August 23, and I'm so very amazed by how very well he is doing. I'm always hesitant when he moves up or embarks on new journeys especially those that I'm not there to participate in. And I was concerned about his new teacher. She seemed so strict to me just from my seeing her in the mornings during drop-off. A side note...our daycare is at a small Lutheran Church, the teachers aren't certified, the daycare meets all required state standards, but it not one of those frou-frou places with all the accreditations and bells and whistles. The teachers are hard working women who LOVE these children. They are not well paid, but they love our kids. They get down on the floor and play with our kids; they give hugs and kisses. Sometimes they are out of ratio, sometimes the kids are really dirty (indicative of a really fun time in my opinion), but all the time there is love. Like Lindsey said the other day whenever she picks up Tate all the kids are running around happy.
Anyway, drop-off is in the parish hall in the mornings. All the kids go in there with the exception of the tiniest of babies. There are usually 4-5 teachers there to receive the children who either sit down and color, eat breakfast or are being held or bounced in bouncy chairs. Tate's new teacher and the assistant director are there every single morning at 630am. Every. Single. Morning. This daycare is their mission, their labor of love. In any event, Tate has seen Ms. L every morning since he started going there in July of 2010. So he knew her. She just didn't give off that warm fuzzy feeling that his previous teachers had. He had actually changed classrooms twice since he started there, so he had been in 3 different rooms (only in the infant room for 6 weeks because he aged out). I just worried that she wouldn't be quick with a hug or a kiss. I worried that my sweet boy who loves being held just for fun would miss that closeness.
Was I ever wrong. Ms. L is so wonderful with the kids. Once you know her, and she knows you, well it's been just so wonderful. Certainly the first couple of weeks Tate was in her class he was reticent to go to class and didn't have a great time at drop-off, but he quickly settled in. And he's just thriving. From his speech explosion, to his incredible manners (he will not leave a toy turned on or something 'out') to the way he recognizes the entire alphabet, can say the sound of each and every letter (even when not asked 'in order'). He recognizes his name as well as the name of all his classmates. And in the past week or so I've been able to say a word and ask him what letter it starts with! Now these may be things all 27 month olds can do; I don't know. But he wasn't doing them 2 months ago. And I credit his wonderful teacher with so much of his achievements. And she's so protective of him especially in light of his food allergies; I don't worry that he will eat something he shouldn't on her watch. Every morning she greets my child with a huge smile and a beautiful hello. And most importantly she loves our Lord. I remember overhearing her say to another teacher one day she was so glad it was the weekend because it was almost time to go to church.
So tonight I'm so grateful she's in Tate's life and that he has so taken to her. A teacher is so integral to the growth, development and life of our children. All of Tate's teachers have meant so much to us. I'm just so very thankful that Ms. L is with my little boy all the hours I'm unable to be. (And yes she is there from the time the school opens to when they close). That peace of mind I get from knowing he is being well loved and well taken care of by this amazing woman is immeasurable. We are so blessed.
1 comment:
My boys preschool is at our United Church of Christ. I wanted my children to have a foundation of love before they went out in the "real" world. I feel, as long as they know God loves them always and forever, they can face anything life throws at them.
Incidentally, their daycare provider is VERY involved in her Lutheran church (and went to Lutheran schools k-12). I credit her for lots of the values my children have learned in the past two years.
It sounds like Tate is having another great year surrounded by people who love him. Although he is just a toddler, this experience will influence his whole life. Doesn't knowing that make it (a little) easier to leave in the morning?
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