5 Things I’ll Miss About Preschool

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“Mom, don’t come down yet! I have a surprise for you,” chirps my soon-to-be five-year-old daughter from the hallway.

“Alright,” I respond, grinning as I linger at the top of the stairs, allowing her the time to complete her “surprise.”

“I’m ready!” she announces a moment later, proudly sporting her shoes, socks, and a zipped-up sweatshirt, with a water bottle nestled in her lunchbox. She even managed to adorn her hair with a cute bow. In these final weeks of preschool, she’s bubbling with excitement about all the things she can do independently.

It’s hard to believe her preschool journey is nearing its end, marking the completion of countless milestones: her once limited vocabulary has expanded into articulate sentences; her first wobbly steps have transformed into swift running and jumping; finger painting has evolved into deliberate brushwork; and her simple emotional descriptors have grown to include ecstatic, disappointed, and frustrated.

I’m confident that my youngest will be ready for kindergarten in the fall, and I will be too. Nevertheless, stepping away from the preschool phase and all its sweet moments has me feeling a bit nostalgic. Here are five heartwarming reasons I’ll truly miss preschool:

1. Late Arrivals Aren’t a Big Deal
   With two older kids to wrangle, getting everyone out the door for elementary school is a frenzy of stress. Being late can have serious repercussions, like missing out on crucial lessons or even affecting grades. However, in preschool, I can afford to linger a little longer with my 4-year-old, sharing an extra story or whipping up some playdough cookies, which makes the late arrival worth it. After all, soon enough, we’ll have less time to simply enjoy each other’s company.
2. The Art Extravaganza
   Yes, yes, we all roll our eyes at the mountain of “artwork” our little ones bring home from preschool. We dutifully save those finger paintings, foil rockets, and toilet paper roll crafts, even as we secretly plot to recycle them. But here’s the kicker: once they hit kindergarten, those creative opportunities start to dwindle. For all my griping about the piles of glittery creations, I’ll genuinely miss sorting through them as she animatedly recounts the tales of her warrior princess and the dragon she conjured on paper.
3. Classroom Hangouts
   Most mornings, I stick around for a few minutes to soak in the classroom atmosphere (caterpillars munching on leaves, an imaginary veterinary clinic) and to give my daughter a few extra hugs before she dives into her day. Next year, that door will close behind me at the start of the school day, and I’ll be relegated to pick-up duty outside. As our kids grow, those precious moments to connect within the classroom dwindle, and I know I’ll miss being in the loop about her daily experiences.
4. The Sand Chronicles
   Okay, I won’t really miss the daily invasion of sand that escapes her purple sneakers and finds its way into my car, the front porch, and even the kitchen chairs. But what that sand signifies is priceless: joyful times spent playing, building, and discovering. Next year, she’ll be indoors more, learning in a different environment. While I’m relieved there will be less sand to deal with, it’s bittersweet to know she’s moving past the carefree days of preschool.
5. The Community Connection
   When our kids are young, we lean on our expanded village to support their growth. In the early years, it’s our moms’ group; in preschool, it’s the other parents and teachers. I know and trust the families and educators in my daughter’s class, and I appreciate how invested they are in her development. But as she transitions to kindergarten in a larger setting, she won’t receive the same level of individualized attention, and I won’t be familiar with as many families. That cozy, connected community in preschool is tough to recreate in a bigger school environment.

Bidding farewell to the preschool years is no easy feat. I know my daughter and I will adapt to the new schedule, and we’ll have to make more of an effort at home to engage in art, run around, and chat about her school day. For now, I plan to relish these last few weeks of preschool with leisurely mornings and plenty of time spent in the classroom. Now, excuse me while I rescue that adorable artwork from the recycling bin!

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In summary, while I’m excited for my daughter’s next chapter, I will deeply miss the sweet simplicity and connection of her preschool years.