Our summer is quickly winding down. We’re already halfway through my last week of summer break, and I can count on one hand the number of remaining days until I return to work.
We’ve had a magical summer that has been full of fun and laughter. We managed to check off a lot of items on our Summer Fun List and we had a blast doing other activities, too. Add in three trips and lots of parties, outings, and visitors, and I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say we’ve had a super Summer. To the maxx, fo sho.
But, as much as it’s been sunshine and rainbows, I think we’re ready to transition back to our school year schedule.
I’m actually itching to get back into the classroom and to meet my new crop of school kiddos. I’m excited to try out some new strategies I learned this summer and rework and improve different areas of my teaching.
Lil’ CB seems ready for some consistent routines, too. He’s been delightful throughout our 2 months together, but the closer he gets to three (less than 3 weeks!), the more we’ve struggled with some behavior as he learns more and grows more independent, and therefore fights for more autonomy.
We think being back in a consistent daily routine will help Lil’ CB during the time he does have with us at home, because his time away from home will be filled with age-appropriate activities that will help him cultivate and develop his skills, while allowing him to have fun with same-age peers.
This year, that routine will be new. Lil’ CB will be starting preschool 4 days a week for 3 hours and 15 minutes a day. He will be attending preschool at my school, where he will be a peer model in the Special Education Preschool program. This means that Lil’ CB will be in a class of no more than 8 children (6 of whom have varying special needs that require daily support during the school week) with one Special Education teacher and two trained instructional assistants. Peer models are usually typically developing children who can appropriately engage in a preschool class with differently-abled children. We are really excited for Lil’ CB to be a part of this program and think that the small class size and high teacher support, along with the diversity will be a perfect fit for our little guy.
And the best part is that once Lil’ CB’s school day is over, mine will be, too. We’ll be able to pack up and head home together, ready for some afternoon adventures. I am SO incredibly grateful for the changes we’ve made in my work schedule that will allow me to work part-time so Lil’ CB and I can have our morning routines and then have our moments of magic in the afternoons…
And it’s because of that that I think we’re ready…
But ready or not, here we come!
Are you looking forward to the end of summer and the start of school?
pomelo / 5178 posts
What a cool program! I’d love to hear more about it; are you going to write post on this?
Now that I’m home full-time, our summer schedule and winter schedule are basically the same. The only thing that may be different is that we’re considering taking the kids out of daycare, and enrolling DD in the co-op pre-school in town. Decisions, decisions… I’m really looking forward to this fall and winter, though!
honeydew / 7504 posts
I don’t have any kids yet, so I can’t really comment on the routines and stuff like that. I just wanted to say that that program sounds fantastic! I’d love to learn more about it!
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
that sounds like the perfect mommy/son program! you sound like such a great teacher, and so passionate about what you do… i’d want my girl in your class.
the PEER program sounds great – what a good way to expose lil’ CB to a diverse group of new friends.
toddler heels is attending preschool in 2 weeks for the first time ever, and this mama is as nervous as can be. i’m more excited than nervous though! i think the social environment will be really good for her, and i like her preschool a lot.
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
It’s great that the two of you will be at the same school and on the same schedule!
Good luck with the new school year!
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
@Honeybee: @eiko2010: once school starts and we have a better idea of what the school day actually looks like, i’ll write a post about it!
@Mrs. High Heels: aww, thank you! you are so sweet! i hope toddler HH enjoys her new school and has a smooth transition!
@chopsuey119: thank you! i’m excited!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
Good luck on both of your first days!
clementine / 933 posts
That does sound like an incredible program! Lil’ CB is so lucky to get to be a part of it!
GOLD / cherry / 182 posts
That sounds like a great program and kudos for you and Lil’ CB for participating. Good luck with your new routine!