February 17, 2010

The Difference Between Home and Preschool

Yesterday I had the chance to volunteer at my daughters' preschool. I try to do this once a month. Lately, though, it seems my volunteer day ends up being on the day of a party (Thanksgiving and Christmas), but not this time. There were no parties lined up and I finally got a good idea of what goes on at preschool. Interestingly enough, the same things they do at preschool, my girls claim they simply cannot do for themselves at home.
Put their coats on? At school they'll at least attempt it. The coats sometimes ended up being put on upside down, but they tried. At home they give me the line of "I can't do it." At school they clean up their mess. Yes, it took a reminder, but they did it without argument. At home I am often told "I'm too tired to clean up" or "My arms are too tired."
All joking aside, yesterday's volunteer stint was fun. I had a chance to see that my daughters enjoy preschool and are actively involved in the classroom lessons. Now if I can just remember to sing the Clean Up song at the end of the day, maybe they'll clean up at home, too.

10 comments:

Sadia said...

I've found things to be the same way with Mel and Jess. In fact, I was planning to sort of write about it tonight.

We have a "We don't say 'can't'" rule in our family. It works well. The other morning, my internal monologue on hearing the alarm clock went like this: "Ugh. I can't wake up. We don't say 'can't' in this family. I CAN wake up, but I'll hit snooze first." Okay, maybe it doesn't work so well.

Quadmama said...

The funny thing about that is yesterday I watched one of the teachers tell Sue Sue she had to at least try to put her coat on by herself. Had I said that Sue Sue would have given me an excuse... when the teacher said it, Sue Sue gave it her best effort (successfully) without flinching. I'll have to try the "we don't say 'can't'"

MaryAnne said...

My kids are the same way - much more independent when I'm not around. And they get even more dependent when their dad is looking after them, for some reason!

Quadmama said...

Oh, I forgot about the Daddy factor! My girls do so much more for themselves when Hubby's in charge.

Jacqueline Miller said...

I know the feeling. My son is a perfect angel for teachers and babysitters - but I guess I can't complain about that!

Stephanie Barr said...

Sometimes, I think children try to impress any time they think they're dealing with someone they're not sure loves them unconditionally. I know my daughter (teenager) gives me far more crap than anyone else and I think it's because she knows I'll love her no matter what.

reanbean said...

When I was doing my student teaching (in a 3rd grade classroom), my mentor teacher said, "Don't do for kids what they can do for themselves." I stuck with that philosophy even when I was teaching 1st grade, and found that kids can really do so much for themselves. I've tried sticking with it at home too, but I think it is somehow a bit different with the mom/child relationship. I'll keep working on it though...

Quadmama said...

I think it's definitely a learning process... for me and them!

Amanda said...

Hi there I'm a new follower and mom of multiples. I am always amazed at the independece my kids demonstrate at school (but not at home)! It is fun watching them in action at class and I love volunteering in their classrooms.

Quadmama said...

Sometimes I think maybe I just "mommy" them too much. But I feel like I KNOW what they can do... until I go to their school and see them go above and beyond what they do at home!

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