Madeline: What I Learned in Kindergarten

Just like last year’s First and Last Day of School pictures of Madeline, the difference is huge. Particularly in her face and height. And this is exactly why I love taking these pictures … such an easy way to record the moment and see how much the kids have changed in just nine short months.

The kids finished school last week, and they are now fully ensconced in summer time frivolity, camp, and bucket lists. When Madeline started Kindergarten in September, I was probably more nervous than she was. Because it was the first time I had to put one of my kids on a school bus, and at five years old, she was just so …. little.

She was only a tiny bit nervous, but was most excited to learn how to read. Something she has been desperate to learn over the last few years. And she emerged a reader, something that thrills her to no end. Now she reads constantly, everything from street signs to books, often taking a few stories to bed to read before she falls asleep.

Her teacher could not have been more perfectly suited for Kindergarten, and really made it a wonderful year for the class. She was young and bubbly, and at the end of the year, she sent home some real treasures … pictures from the kids’ first, 100th, and last day at school, samples of the kids writing their name throughout the year to see how much their handwriting improved, and an art book that the kids had drawn a picture in every month for the year, to show how their perception and detail changed throughout the nine months. It was such a gift to receive as a parent; so much thought and care went into it, and I will keep it for always.

The “graduation ceremony” was a concert of sorts, and Madeline couldn’t have been more excited and nervous for the show. She planned her outfit days before, and requested a manicure and pedicure. She kept asking me if Nick could go and I kept saying no, because he had school. Little did she know that I was pulling him out for the morning she we could surprise her. She was tickled pink to see him in the audience that morning.

And now Madeline’s take on her year…

What was your favorite part of school this year?
I liked art because I like to draw.

What was your least favorite part of school?
I don’t have one really. Well, I didn’t like rest time because we weren’t learning.

What will you miss about school over the summer?
I will miss my teacher.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A dolphin trainer.

What are some things you learned this year?
How to read and how to do addition, and to look at pictures when I’m reading a book because that can help me figure out the words.

What excites you about the next school year?
Learning how to read bigger words and meeting my new teacher.

What will you miss about leaving Kindergarten?
I am going to miss my teacher and friends.