jan goes to kindergarten
tomorrow is jan’s last day in the kinderkrippe; next week, he starts with the “real” kindergarten. i think jan has to realize yet what it means, but even for me, it’s a bit bittersweet, leaving the young ones behind and moving on to the next level. during our sarch for a kiga, i’ve seen how different, and much boisterous it is in the 3-6 bracket, compared to the 1-3 yr-olds. i’m already bracing myself for the attitudes, the bruises (physical and emotional), the language and the experience jan will acquie and bring home from being with the bigger ones. i start to sound as if jan’s going to college, but i guess, for a first-time parent, each step up the educational hierarchy must be somehow similar. it’s a big step for my little man, and i can’t help worrying about jan getting bullied, being one of the youngest ones in the group, and a half-asian at that. i’m just thankful that jan has so far developed into a self-confident (but not arrogant) personality, and can hold his own. he’s not backing down even when confronted by bigger kids, especially when he knows he is right, or has the right to something. i don’t know where he got it (i am myself such a coward to confrontations!), but i guess his double dose of the stubbornness-gene has something to do with it. for his age, he has a remarkably good flair for expressing himself verbally, and he uses it to the maximum to argue his opponents down.
of course, when the going gets tough, he can also resort to issuing a good smack. or a good run. or a good cry for help. just like mom.
photo taken march 2004
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9 Responses to “jan goes to kindergarten”
September 1st, 2005 at
Am sure Jan can handle himself. I love how confident he is and how strong his personality is. I have never seen him start a fight or bully anyone but (like last week) when that bigger half-Pinoy kid tried to bully him, he really stood his ground. Aliw!!!
September 1st, 2005 at
Ruth, hi! My son also started KG this week and has had a great time so far. I hope your son enjoys it too. I’m writing because Lemuel wants to know where in Germany you are — didn’t have your email to pass along to him so could you please write me back? Ingat!
September 1st, 2005 at
The oldest kid in Stephen’s class is over four years old but his English wasn’t good enough to allow him to enter K1. He is such a bully. I don’t know if it’s his English skills or what but he snatches toys from other kids’ hands and pummels anyone he can get his hands on esp. other boys. Stephen has managed to stay out of his way for the most part but gets really frustrated when the kid just takes the toy out of his hands. We’re not used to playing rough or rude, so it’s something Stephen will have to learn to do. I hope the teachers will help out. Otherwise, I’ll have to teach him how to kick butt. Just kidding…sort of.
September 2nd, 2005 at
i could relate to this post. and yes it’s typical for moms to be bittersweet about the whole thing. no need to fret. every kid and parent goes through this phase. i did twice and in a couple of years more, i’ll go through it again.
September 2nd, 2005 at
hi ruth — of course i could relate to this. brings back memories of when Bea went to kindy then to the big school. she was such a brave girl considering everything was new to her in NZ. I’m sure Jan can defend himself. mana yata sa Mama at Dada nya eh! haha
September 2nd, 2005 at
nakakatawa ano dahil laging praning ang nanay na pakawalan ang anak sa mundo to the point na parang na-a-under-estimate natin ang kakayahan ng mga bata. pero kids can easily adapt to “outside forces”. kaya relax ka lang mommy. sabihin mo kay jan, huwag uuwing luhaan…pag may umupak sa kanya…upakan din niya kamo! ha ha! :))
September 3rd, 2005 at
Ruth,
Just promise na walang iyakan kapag hinatid mo sya ha?! Sa bahay na lang! he he he
September 6th, 2005 at
aaaw, he’s starting kindergarten now…for teachers like us, the first day of school is the hardest. but i think it is harder for the mommies, huh? anyway, be brave, ruthie, jan will be fine…kids are a lot more tougher than we give them credit for. congratulations to jan…my my my..he’s really a big boy now! ang cute!
September 6th, 2005 at
Wow! Growing boy! I hope YOU’re ready for his big move.