Kindy Orientation

My baby girl is growing up. Each Friday morning in November we headed into school for her to visit her kindy class for 2020. Eliza was put into Kindy Green. Sadly most of her friends were in other Kindy classes - Ems in Kindy Green, Eve in Kindy Red, Ayla in Kindy Yellow, but she did have Ethan in her class as well as 2 girls from preschool but not in her class. 

On the 1st of November Eliza was ready and so excited to go!

She really surprised me by how confident and keen she was. I think because of her anxiety that had come up in preschool at different times and with different things, I did really know what to expect. But she was so confident, talking happily, was fine with not knowing many people in her class and with not knowing her teacher. 
It was Daniel's loud shirt day so he got a photo too.

I'm a bit sad about Emily and Eliza not being in the same class because they are such good friends, but it will be good for them to be able to make different friendships too. And they will always be able to play together in the playground and at each others houses so their friendship should continue to grow. They were very cute while waiting to start kindy.

We met Miss Stewart who is the Kindy Green teacher. She was lovely. A very kind teacher who was happy to meet the kids, big smile and just seemed very gentle. Eliza liked having her. She made her crafts, played with the blocks and loved having the Year 5 helpers with her. When I went to go, she hardly looked up tot say bye. Very proud of her confidence. The 2nd week Miss Stewart was away so I wasn't sure how Eliza would respond with that but she was fine having a different teacher and again, confidently walked into the class and sat down to do an activity. The 3rd week, Eliza was fine. It was Alexander who left in tears because he didn't want to go to swimming and he wanted to stay with me. Didn't see that one coming!! 

The last week the kids came into the school hall and did a little song about starting school. I remembered Daniel doing this and it is a very cute song. Eliza was one of the last kids to come in and didn't look very happy. I wasn't too sure what was up. Maybe too many people there, maybe feeling shy, maybe something went wrong in class. I wasn't sure. But as the song went on, she did join in. After the song her teacher mentioned to me that she had a small cut on her finger that was upsetting her, but she was ok. That made sense.

My baby girl Eliza, 
May you have the confidence that you showed over these weeks as you enter big school. May you make new friends and grow the old friendships that you already have. Continue to look out for others. Enjoy having a different teacher with you in Kindy. Enjoy learning different things. I know that you are excited to learn how to write and I look forward to the many secret notes that you will give to me, but you can continue to draw the pictures too. You are going to blossom and thrive in school. Be kind to yourself. It is ok to not understand something or to find something hard to do. As long as you try your hardest, that's what Daddy and I expect of you. It doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to be your best work. Be confident in the playground. This can be a hard place as a little girl. Friends can sometimes be mean, friends can sometimes run off to play and you get left behind. Use those opportunities to extend your friendship circles, to help out others, to have some time to yourself in the library. 
Sometimes you will have cuts on your fingers, don't let them slow you down. They will heal and they will get better. Hang in there. You are going to be amazing at Kindy. I can't wait to see what you are going to achieve in 2020 and beyond!
Love you baby girl.
Mummy