Pre-kindergarten, also known as Pre-K, is an important stage in a child’s education. During this time, children learn crucial social and cognitive skills that will help them succeed in their future academic endeavors. It is a time of exploration and discovery, where children engage in play-based learning and develop a love for learning that can last a lifetime.
Graduation or Celebration?
Ok, so don’t hate me for this one, but, in recent years, there has been a growing trend towards pre-k graduations. Which honestly, such an emphasis and big deal, on “graduating” feels like not the greatest idea. While these events may seem harmless, they can actually have a negative impact on young children and their development. Let’s explore why pre-k graduations can be problematic and I’ll offer you alternative ideas for celebrating this important stage in a child’s life.
First and foremost, pre-k graduations can create unrealistic expectations for young children. By framing pre-k as a stepping stone to “real” school, we are sending the message that the child’s academic success is already predetermined. This can lead to unnecessary pressure on children and may even discourage some from pursuing their academic goals in the future. It is important to remember that pre-k is not just preparation for kindergarten, but a valuable stage in its own right, where children are given the opportunity to develop their skills and interests in a supportive and nurturing environment.
In addition, pre-k graduations can be costly and time-consuming for families and schools alike. With the increasing pressure to make these events bigger and better than the last, families may feel obligated to spend money on expensive outfits, gifts, and decorations. Schools may also feel the need to invest resources into organizing and promoting the event, taking time and attention away from other important aspects of their educational mission.
Furthermore, pre-k graduations can contribute to the culture of competition that is already prevalent in our education system. By focusing on individual achievement and performance, we are sending the message that success is measured by academic achievement alone. This can undermine the value of collaborative learning and discourage children from working together to achieve common goals.
Alternative Ideas to “Graduation”
Given these concerns, it is clear that we need to rethink how we celebrate pre-k in our schools and communities. I am all about the celebration honoring and celebrating our time together and all that we did. Not so much about moving on and “graduating”. Rather than focusing on graduation, let’s focus on the growth and development that has taken place during this important stage in a child’s life. Here are some alternative ideas for celebrating pre-k:
- Family gatherings: Instead of a formal graduation ceremony, families can gather for a casual picnic or barbecue, where children can showcase their skills and accomplishments from the year. This can be a great opportunity for families to connect with each other and with their child’s teachers in a relaxed and supportive environment.
- Community projects: Schools can partner with local organizations and businesses to organize community projects that allow children to apply their skills and knowledge in real-world settings. For example, children can work on a community garden or organize a book drive for a local shelter.
- Showcase events: Rather than focusing on individual performance, schools can organize showcase events where children can demonstrate their learning in collaborative and creative ways. This can include art exhibitions, science fairs, or musical performances.
- Storytelling: Children can create their own stories and present them to their families and classmates. This can be a fun and engaging way for children to develop their language and storytelling skills, while also showcasing their creativity and imagination.
- Parent-teacher conferences: Rather than waiting until the end of the year, parents can meet with teachers regularly throughout the year to discuss their child’s progress and development. This can provide a more holistic view of the child’s growth and allow for more personalized and targeted support.
- Volunteer opportunities: Schools can organize volunteer opportunities for parents and community members to come in and support the learning and development of pre-K students. This can include reading books to children, organizing art projects, or providing hands-on learning experiences.
- Outdoor adventures: Children can explore nature and the outdoors through field trips, nature walks, and other outdoor adventures. This can provide hands-on learning opportunities and foster a sense of curiosity and wonder about the natural world.
- Service learning projects: Pre-K students can engage in service learning projects that benefit their communities, such as collecting donations for a local food bank or making cards for nursing home residents. This can help children develop empathy and a sense of responsibility towards others.
- Cultural celebrations: Schools can organize cultural celebrations that honor the diversity of their pre-K students and families. This can include food festivals, music performances, and cultural exhibitions that showcase the traditions and heritage of different cultures.
- Parent-child activities: Schools can organize parent-child activities that promote bonding and shared learning experiences. This can include reading clubs, cooking classes, and family game nights that encourage parents to participate in their child’s learning journey.
- Collaborative projects: Pre-K students can work on collaborative projects that encourage teamwork and communication skills. This can include building structures with blocks, creating art projects, or working on a class mural.
- Play-based learning: Schools can prioritize play-based learning experiences that allow children to explore and learn at their own pace. This can include sensory play, dramatic play, and exploratory play that fosters creativity and curiosity.
- Field trips: Pre-K students can go on field trips to local museums, farms, or other educational destinations. This can provide hands-on learning opportunities and expose children to new experiences and ideas.
- Storytime: Schools can prioritize read-alouds and storytelling as a way to promote language and literacy skills. This can include incorporating multicultural and diverse literature to expose children to different perspectives and experiences.
- Family education sessions: Schools can offer family education sessions that provide parents with information and resources to support their child’s development. This can include sessions on early childhood development, nutrition, and positive parenting strategies.
- Music and movement: Pre-K students can engage in music and movement activities that promote physical development and creativity. This can include dance parties, yoga classes, and music and movement games.
- Cooking and nutrition: Schools can prioritize cooking and nutrition as a way to promote healthy habits and food literacy. This can include cooking classes, gardening projects, and nutrition education sessions.
- Social-emotional learning: Pre-K students can engage in social-emotional learning activities that promote empathy, self-awareness, and relationship-building skills. This can include mindfulness practices, cooperative games, and social skills workshops.
- Technology and media literacy: Pre-K students can engage in technology and media literacy activities that promote digital literacy and critical thinking skills. This can include using educational apps, exploring educational websites, and learning basic coding skills.
- Learning through play: Schools can prioritize learning through play as a way to promote creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking skills. This can include open-ended materials like blocks and loose parts, as well as structured play activities like puzzles and board games.
- Inclusive celebrations: Schools can prioritize inclusive celebrations that celebrate the diversity of all pre-K students and families. This can include holiday celebrations that honor a range of traditions and cultural events that recognize the histories and experiences of different communities.
- Environmental education: Pre-K students can learn about the environment and sustainability through hands-on learning experiences. This can include recycling projects, composting, and nature walks that promote a sense of stewardship towards the natural world.
- Playgrounds and outdoor play spaces: Schools can prioritize creating high-quality outdoor play spaces that allow children to engage in active and imaginative play. This can include natural play spaces, climbing structures, and outdoor learning areas.
- Family partnerships: Schools can prioritize building partnerships with families to promote a collaborative approach to pre-k education. This can include
- Creative arts: Pre-K students can engage in creative arts activities that promote self-expression and creativity. This can include visual arts projects, music and movement activities, and drama and theater experiences. By allowing children to explore their creativity and express themselves through different art forms, schools can foster a love of learning and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
What We Do
All of these ideas may already be happening in your school, but creating a combination of events could be a really fun idea for celebrating the time you spent together. We usually did the regular old sing a few songs we loved throughout the year and then watch a slide show and have some food. This year though I decided to level up a little, which was my inspiration for this post.
We are doing a pre-k art gallery and walking through with our adults. We are putting together a display of all the work and processes we went through this year. So while we will sing a few of our favorite songs, and just songs we do throughout the year so kids feel really comfortable with it, we will also check out the art gallery so children have a place to “show off” their hard work. We are also going to have food and play time at a local playground. All of this makes the day special, but keep it about the kids and celebrating them throughout the year, not celebrating them moving on.
In the End
Pre-K celebrations are important to recognize the milestones and accomplishments of young learners, but traditional graduation ceremonies may not be the most appropriate or effective way to do so. By exploring alternative celebration ideas that prioritize play, exploration, and hands-on learning experiences, schools can create meaningful and memorable experiences for pre-k students and their families. This is just a small shift in thinking, from graduation to celebration, but can have a huge impact on the way children look at their pre-k year and where they are looking to go in the future. These celebrations can also promote a love of learning, curiosity, and creativity that will serve children well throughout their academic and personal lives.
P.S. Here’s What We Use
Here are a few of my favorite songs to use for slideshows and some of the songs we sing:
- You’ve Got a Friend in Me – Randy Newman from Toy Story
- How Far I’ll Go – Moana
- Count on Me – Bruno Mars
- Sign language to The More We Get Together
- Sign language song – I like You There’s No Doubt About It
- Superheroes Unite
- We sing our school song which is specifically written for our school.
- Then finally we do a Pre-K chant which I made up to the my college fight song
