"Watch Me as I Graduate"

We have yet another graduate in the house. . . . a preschool graduate that is. 

Yesterday was Grant’s graduation ceremony from Johnson Pond Learning Center. Our little 5 year-olds parade around in cap and gown and have a special ceremony while the moms and dads (okay, mostly the moms) marvel at how big they have gotten. “It seemed like only yesterday. . . . and now you are starting kindergarten.” is echoed over and over again.  The title of this post was actually the song that was being played as they processed around the sanctuary. 

I am all for milestones, nostalgia, and celebrating. But I am on the fence when it comes to an actual graduation ceremony for preschool. Here are my thoughts.

PROS:

These kids are performing during the ceremony. They sing songs on stage, have speaking parts, and are expected to be poised. They are learning stage presence and confidence amidst the nerves and fears. I want Grant to become comfortable on stage. I want Grant to understand the importance of poise and confidence. I want him to wrestle with being nervous about something, trying something, and experiencing success.

As a part of this performance, the songs they are singing were a part of the class curriculum since February. I love that my child learned all 50 states and knows a song that includes them all. I am proud that my child can also sing a song that identifies all the presidents. The graduation ceremony is an opportunity to showcase their knowledge. At least, with Ms. Pam and Ms. Alicia they started in February. When TJ graduated he sang songs like “The Wheels on the Bus”. (I still roll my eyes when I think about TJ’s preschool graduation and how mortified I was that TJs class was significantly less poised than Ms. Pam’s class. Of course I made sure that Grant would be with Ms. Pam).

Milestones. Closure. It’s important for the students and teachers. . . and I guess to for the parents. It’s about closing one chapter and opening, well, a whole other book. Many of the children have been at the same pre-school their whole—albeit short—lives. The teachers deserve some closure and offer a way to say goodbye. They are the ones who won’t be seeing the children again.

CONS:

Why are there “graduations” for every little thing these days? Why are we making our kids believe that everything they do is so important? Are we over-praising our kids? I kind of associate preschool graduation with the every-one-gets-a-prize generation I fear we are raising. It basically sends the message that you are getting rewarded just for showing up. That will not build true self-esteem; instead it builds this empty narcissism in our children who feel entitled to just about everything.

Caps and Gowns? Really? This is just for moms and dads to get misty eyed. We know that next time we see them in a cap and gown they will not be so small anymore. Or perhaps it’s the “hurry-up-and grow-up already” culture that is creeping in. We accelerate childhood today at alarming speeds. How old are children when they first wear bras, make-up and carry cell phones? What about when they first have boys and girlfriends? They are all examples of a culture that views children as miniature adults. We put them in a cap and gown now because it is cute and they can do what the big kids do. Yet under our breaths we say, “slow down! We are not ready for you to grow up so fast.” So which one is it? Can we have it both ways?

Regardless of the pros and cons, Grant's graduation was a nice way to celebrate this particular time in his life. The Browns are celebrating the freedom from preschool tuition costs as well as dropping the kids off at different locations (and pick ups too). That is, at least for the next two years. Then TJ will be completing 5th grade. Not so sure of the way FVES commemorates this milestone. But please, no cap and gown!