Preschool Pals

 Five years ago when Daisy was 3, I joined a preschool co-op group.  I had such a good experience with her that I knew I wanted to do the same with Levi when it was time for him to be in preschool.  I was so lucky to find such a great group of ladies to join forces with.  We called our little group Preschool Pals.  Levi was the only boy, which was fine for the most part since he's such a ladies man.  We held a little graduation ceremony last week.

 I am a huge fan of preschool co-ops for a lot of reasons.  Children learn from a variety of teachers, so they experience a variety of teaching methods and material.  They are in smaller groups than traditional preschools so they not only get more one-on-one attention, but they get to do projects and field trips that larger numbers would prohibit.  When mothers are crafting the curriculum, the individuals needs of each student are taken into consideration more than in a traditional preschool. 

 I am a HUGE believer that preschool aged children should do preschool aged things...like art projects and science experiments and musical instruments and exploring and playing.  It makes me so sad that so many "preschools" have really turned into kindergarten prep academies where 3 and 4-yera-olds are made to do things they will be mastering until they are 7.  They are getting short-changed!

 Needless to say, Levi was quite pleased with himself.  He is going to love kindergarten.