Ava Starts Pre School

In England, the government gives 15 hours free preschool instruction to all 3 and 4 year olds, even if you're an American citizen. At first I thought Ava was too young and that she should just stay home with me until Kindergarten but after touring the West Row Preschool in April, Ava was hooked! She wanted to start right then and there. So we used the promise of going to school as incentive for her to potty train and by mid summer she was a pro. I signed her up and she anxiously waited for September 6th. She attends every day from 12:30 to 3:30, but is a little bummed that she doesn't ride the bus or eat lunch at school (that's what the kids do on Sesamestreet.org) The program is simple and lets the kids pick and play what they want, with guided instruction along the way. Even though it's not technically "school" Ava loves that she can paint, sculpt, glue, cut, glitter and generally get messy (and I don't have to clean it up.) She has already learned a lot of social skills and can write her name with more confidence. I hope she will learn to play with other children and less by herself but that can only come with time.

September 6th, first day of school lunch

Pizza, Watermelon and Lemon aid

She had waited all summer for this day

I don't think she could have been any more excited!

Grabbed her name on a yellow Lady bug

And put it under her teachers picture (Miss Emma)

Her sweet little backpack on a hook

To make the day just a little more special we celebrated with a "First Day of School Party."

School work books and pretty colored pens

Get busy Ava, you're a school girl now!

Ava liked all the attention on her first day of school so much, that she told me to take a picture of her on her 2nd day of school!