Eya's First Day at Summer School

Whew, I survived Eya's first day at summer playschool!!!

I was the one who was so excited and anxious at the same time. Mothers do have a lot of concerns when their kids start going to school.

These questions were running in my mind all through yesterday, and even as the class started.

*Was it too early to introduce Eya to the classroom, at 2 and a half years old?
*Is four hours of play school activities a day too long somehow?
*Will the other kids bully her? Since Eya's on the petite side, some big kids always try to bully her so I never take my eyes off her when she's playing with older kids, and I'm always within hugging distance.

START OF CLASS

All in all, Eya's first day at school went well. It did not start off with a blast, so to speak, since at the very start of the session, a little boy (I wasn't able to ask about his age) threw this great tantrum because his mom left him. He was yelling and crying so loudly, and kicking the door so forcibly that some of the other kids became frightened and started crying and looking for their mommies as well.

Eya just observed this, but I think she found 'the show' somewhat strange since she was not really used to all those loud noises. But I'm glad she did not follow suit and cry.

Since it was her first day, she was more the observant student rather than the participatory one. She was at first hesitant to let the teachers hold her hands for a butterfly hand print, so I had to encourage her. She was able to make a nice hand print. And after that, I did not have a hard time assisting her in washing her hands over the toilet sink.

SNACK TIME

Then they had their snacks. She did not want to sit at the table with the other kids. So I had to sit with her at the table for a few minutes. But I was happy to see her slowly warming up to the other kids. She even tried initiating a conversation with some of them. But since for the most part she's still slurring her words, she only clicked with one or two.

DRAWING TIME

During drawing and crayon time, she showed that she had a good grasp of a pencil and crayon. And even when she was the youngest in class, she showed that she's coping well at this point in the session.

STORY-TELLING TIME

This activity was the least that caught her attention. First-off, the story was too long, naming butterflies from a-z. She looked at the teacher reading the book only just once or twice. Even the alphabets did not interest her, which usually do. The book could have been more colorful to catch toddlers' attention. Only the older kids were able to appreciate the story. Eya was doodling with crayons on paper for most part of the story-telling, then she ran off to the other end of the room to play and browse books with other toddlers who had also lost interest in the story.

NAP TIME

Eya was up during the whole nap time. The teachers and I were not able to coax her into lying down on the rubber mats. She'd rather jump than lie down! And while the other kids were trying to nap, she was roaming around the room. The Teachers allowed her. Only about two or three kids were able to nap well since there were so many distractions. Several of the toddlers were not ready to put some board toys aside. A little boy tried to hit a little girl several times, and then he started to wail for his mom when the teachers restrained him. Then he continued to cry loudly nearly all through nap time. So no wonder the kids can't sleep. Then some of the other kids started cyring too. What a riot!!!

TIME FOR ACTION SONGS

This was Eya's most favorite part in the whole afternoon session, and mine too. With lively songs and easy to copy actions, Eya was shrieking with laughter in no time. She was jumping and running around all throughout. She was not able to follow all the actions and instructions from the teachers, what with all the movement and noise the kids were collectively making, but so what? I was just so happy to see Eya enjoying herself so much while being surrounded with other children.

PLAYGROUND TIME

Now, time for some active play outdoors. As usual, Eya enjoyed the slide. But she made a new acquaintance, the swing. She enjoyed this one a lot. She even makes wooshing sounds whenever she's riding it. I had to stay close though since the bigger kids might squeeze her in their excitement--a near rumble erupted among three of the little guys.

LOOKING FORWARD TO TOMORROW

And then it was time to say good-bye. After play time, the kids trooped back inside to wash and then to sing another action song, which of course they still jumped to even when they had exerted so much energy already. And then the good-bye song. It was a good day, and I hope tomorrow's even better.