Thoughts on Preschool

Marleigh has now been going to her Preschool for a little over a month.  It has been such a great fit for her.  She looks forward to going everyday.  We have also seen quite a bit of progress in such a short time.

About two weeks into Preschool, Marleigh's teacher called me one evening.  We visited for about ten minutes.  I was shocked how well she knew Marleigh.  I mean, she only sees her three hours a day for four days a week.  Plus, there are around ten other kids there.  It really made me feel that Mrs. A truly cares for each child and is attentive to them.  She had every aspect of Marleigh pegged.

Marleigh has gained an incredible amount of confidence.  We noticed that within the first two weeks.  I love seeing her more sure of herself and trying new things!

I am impressed with the progress of Marleigh's writing, as well.  This has always been something that she had zero interest in.  She would color for hours, but absolutely HATED to write letters.  She could write her name in all capitals, but only did that if we made her.  A couple of weeks ago, she was coloring and came running over to me to show me her latest creation.  She had written her name correctly, with an uppercase "M" and the rest lowercase letters.  She was beaming with pride!  I was, too!

One of my favorite things about Marleigh's Preschool, is that they incorporate religion.  They have a prayer that they say before snack time.  All on her own, Marleigh has adapted it, and says it for her bedtime prayer as well.

Just the other day, we were watching a VeggieTales DVD.  "The Little House That Stood", loosely based on Luke 6:48, the man that built his house on a firm foundation.  Marleigh lit up.  You could tell that something had just clicked for her.  She jumped up and yelled, "This is like my song from Preschool!!! 'The wise man built his house upon the rock.  The wise man built his house upon the rock....'"  It was such an awesome moment.

I love the fact that we know pretty much all the parents and kids that Marleigh goes to school with.  They are all great kids from good families. It is so nice to know all of Marleigh's friends and their parents.

Stepping Stones Preschool has been a great blessing for us!  Much more than we could have ever thought possible!

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We have also gotten some humor from preschool.

Kade has a bad habit of barreling down the hallway and just tackling his big sister.  I mean, he outweighs her by 4lbs, so he definitely has the upper hand.  One of Mrs A's, famous phrases is, "Gentle touches".  Marleigh sees Kade coming for her one day.  As he is running she starts telling him over and over, "Gentle touches, Bubba.  Gentle touches, Bubba.  Gentle touches, Bubba!!!"  He plowed her over in the middle of the fourth "Gentle touches, Bubba".

Kade is also generally kind of loud.  We are working on using his indoor voice, but it is a work in progress.  Another catch phrase is, "Hold your bubbles", which means to be quiet.  One day, Kade was being loud and Marleigh tells him, "Hold your bubbles, Kade."  He ignores her.  "Kade, please listen.  Hold your bubbles."  Again, he continues being loud.  Defeated, Marleigh comes over to me.  "Mom, I just don't think Kade is ready for Preschool.  He doesn't follow directions well."

All the kids sing a goodbye song at the end of everyday, where they put both arms in the air, and wave while singing.  We were at a party a couple of weeks ago, and I told Marleigh to tell everyone goodbye.  She immediately put her arms in the air and burst into song.  It was pretty funny.  Reminded me of the VonTrapp family singing their goodbye song on "The Sound of Music".

They have learned the "B-I-B-L-E" song at Preschool.  Only Marleigh sings, "The B-L-B-L-E", because, "it just flows better that way, Mom."  :)  Oh, that silly girl!