Monday August 21 was the first day of school for my kids. They were so excited about going. I was excited for them - anxious about how they'd handle the transtion, though, and the longer days. (Our Kindergarten was only 3 hours - 1st grade is a full 6.) My son had no issues early on - he eagerly ran into his classroom Monday morning, hung up his backpack and started coloring the picture left on his desk by his teacher. No tears, no fear, no clinging... Such a big boy!
My daughter, on the other hand, was a bit more nervous. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, she was placed in a 1st grade class with not one single child she knew. This year, our school had a large influx of children who graduated from a Montessori Kindergarten. Instead of dividing the Montessori kids up and putting 2 or 3 of them in each already-established 1st grade class, a new 1st grade class was created and they were all put in it along with one child from each of our schools' Kindergarten classes last year. (My daughter was the one chosen from her class.) The classroom was unfamiliar - the kids were not known to her - even the teacher was new (hired to teach the class just last Thursday!) and my poor little girl definitely felt out of her element. She put on a brave face and insisted that she was o.k. but her face (especially her eyes) told a different story. I hated leaving her - knowing how uncomfortable she was. She is a great kid, though - well-adjusted, friendly, social and popular... I knew (hoped) it wouldn't be long before she felt better about things. And - in fact - it wasn't long... My best friend (who teaches special-ed Kindergarten at the school) took a picture of her at lunch - happy as a clam with a big smile on her face - and sent it to me to ease my worries.
They both are noticing the longer days. They're exhausted when they get home and asking to go to bed before dinner! Things seem to be going as well as can be expected, though. I know (have heard, anyway) that the transition from Kidergarten to 1st grade is a big one for most. My son did cry a bit Monday afternoon but I was told that half of the class did. Both children are still enjoying it and are excited to go every morning so that's a good thing. I have learned that some of my son's stims (verbal "chirps") are re-surfacing as he copes with the new environment/children/teacher/curriculum/expectations. I cried for 2 hours last night over it. I know it's understandable considering the circumstaces but my heart just hurts for him. I'd like to help him find a more "socially-appropriate" way to regulate his anxety - I just don't know how (or if it's even possible at this age). Poor litle guy...
Both teachers seem to enjoy the children (they are personable little people - even if I do say so myself!) and my son's teacher has commented that she is especially impressed with the reading skills he's showed thus far.
Right now, I just wish I could fast-forward to October!
I was looking into swim lessons, gymnastics, tae kwon do, dance (etc.) for the kids as possible extra-curricular activities but I have decided to hold off for a while until both kids are comfortable and settled in.
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