Graduation season is upon us once again. While many celebrate their accomplishments from high school or college, we also want to celebrate your preschool graduate! At The Gardner School, all of our preschoolers are making the exciting transition from preschool to kindergarten, and we couldn’t be more excited for them. If you’re celebrating your little one this spring, take a moment to recognize all that they’ve learned and all that’s ahead of them as they prepare for kindergarten. We love our class of 2022 graduates, and we can’t wait to see where they go from here!
What Our Preschool Students Have Learned
The Gardner School Pre-K curriculum is focused on kindergarten readiness. Our preschool students can feel confident as they prepare to enter an elementary school for the first time. Here are the skills your child gained during their time at TGS:
- Phonemic Awareness: an understanding of the 44 different sounds that make up spoken words
- Emergent Writing Experiences: practicing pencil grip and letter shapes
- Sight Word Practice: learning to recognize individual letters
- Social-Emotional Learning: understanding and identifying emotions, learning about friendships
- Scientific Reasoning: inquiry-based exploration, learning to ask questions and observe
- Mathematics Skills: counting and shape recognition
- Visual Art Projects: understanding and using colors
- Pre-Reading Skills: developing a love for stories and books
- Musical Skills: exploring different instruments and songs
Similar to The Gardner School, many preschools hold short ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of their students and mark their transition to elementary school. They may wear a cap and gown or receive a certificate as their family cheers them on. Celebrating with your child allows them to joyfully remember a great year with their friends and teachers.
Finishing preschool is a big deal! Set aside time with your preschooler to celebrate this milestone. Letting your child know you value their development can be incredibly meaningful. Here are a few ways to make them feel special on their big day:
Throw a Party with Family and Friends
Invite friends and family to share in the celebration by hosting a party that celebrates learning. Hang art your child made in preschool, showcase their favorite books, and fix simple snacks and drinks that everyone can enjoy. Your child will feel celebrated, which will help build excitement for kindergarten.
Use Words of Affirmation
Graduating from preschool is a big deal! Let your preschooler know how proud you are of them by sharing warm words of encouragement and affirmation with them. Try, “I’m so proud of how you went to school each day and tried your best! You’re a star!” or “You learned so much this year at preschool, and I want to celebrate with you today!” Even simple words and phrases will help your child feel seen, recognized, and celebrated!
Remind Your Child of the Joy of Learning
Learning is its own reward and marking your child’s advancement to kindergarten is a wonderful opportunity to remind them of the joy of learning – for learning’s sake! Students will feel a sense of accomplishment, and you can affirm and celebrate that internal pride in all that they’ve learned over the past few years. Students are confident learners and ready to make new friends in their next learning chapter!
The Gardner School Builds Kindergarten Confidence TGS Education Support Specialist Fonda Thompson explains, “The Gardner School prepares children for kindergarten by giving them access to the opportunities that promote school success.” Our curriculum includes child-guided—as well as teacher-supported—activities that emphasize hands-on, integrated learning. Contact us today to learn more, or check out our virtual tours on our website for The Gardner School nearest you. You’ll quickly see why parents choose The Gardner School to help build resilient, compassionate and engaged young learners.
