Zealous Mom

Parenting & Life

The First Graduation

Though preschool graduation may seem insignificant to other, seemingly more important, graduations, it's the most pivotal tome. It's the first one, and the beginnngs are always the most special. -zealousmom.com #graduation

We recently experienced the first of many graduations as our little boy concluded a phase of his young life and graduated from preschool. I know that before I can blink an eye he will be graduating kindergarten, then 5th grade, then 8th grade, then high school.

Throughout preschool, I have watched my child grow in size, maturity, and intellect. I have witnessed him strengthen old friendships and make new ones. I have watched him eagerly walk to the car each morning because he loves his school. I have seen him explore our town on field trips, participate in fundraisers, enjoy Halloween carnivals, and sing on stage during programs. I have watched him love his teachers, directors, and foster grandparents with such ferocity, it melts my heart.

These moments in a young child’s life shape his character forever. The intangible lessons my son learned throughout preschool will serve as a foundation as he begins elementary school in the fall and takes on new challenges and experiences.

I remember my own preschool graduation quite vividly. It was an exciting day, and I recall feeling giddy. After graduation, all of the students and families went to my teacher’s house to play and cook out. We had a very similar experience last week when we enjoyed a fun post-graduation party at the home of another child who graduated. I know if my own memories are still clear in my mind, my little boy will remember his big day as well.

As our son and his peers marched in to the sounds of Pomp and Circumstance wearing their small caps and gowns, heads held high, they were visibly proud of themselves. It was clear that all of them felt they could take on the world at that very moment. I hope they maintain that sense of confidence and adventure. I hope their smiles continue to shine so brightly.

Many things change once you become a parent. I now know why graduation days are so emotional. The feelings of pride and joy parents feel for their children when they watch them accomplish something are overwhelming. The feelings of sadness, too, are quite intense as one realizes a chapter is closed forever.

There were many tears shed as the little graduates received their diplomas, smiled for pictures, and hugged their teachers. I admittedly cried some, but I was also excited for I know my child is ready to move on. That’s the challenging part for me as a parent. Sometimes I wish time would stand still so a moment doesn’t pass too quickly, but that is simply not reality.

Though preschool graduation may seem insignificant to some, when compared to other, seemingly more important graduations, it’s the most pivotal one to me. It is the beginning. And beginnings are always memorable and special because the journey has only just begun.

Though preschool graduation may seem insignificant, it's the most pivotal one to me. It's the first one, and beginnings are always the most special. -zealousmom.com #graduation

This was originally published as a column in the June 4th edition of our local paper, The Mountaineer.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. 3

    Kay Adeola says

    Congratulations to your son.Most if not all of the schools over here do not do graduations like this which i think is a shame.

  4. 5

    Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says

    I do think it’s a little strange, because it IS the Beginning… of TONS of school. And using a “finishing” ceremony to start it seems a little backwards, but we’ll see how I feel when Red is there. The purple is a fun choice for robes.

  14. 17

    Theresa says

    Congratulations! Wishing him a very successful school career. It really does fly by a lot quicker than we realize!

  21. 28

    April says

    He was adorable in his cap and gown. I agree the first of everything is always important! We homeschool so our ceremonies are much smaller. 🙂

  23. 30

    Shell says

    Your little one is so cute! This is such a milestone. My youngest just graduated from prek.

  28. 39

    Rosey says

    I don’t think it’s insignificant. I used my son’s preschool graduation picture with his high school graduation and they put it on a split screen for the crowd (they did it for every graduate). It was awesome. 🙂

  34. 49

    Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says

    I think you phrased that beautifully at the end. My little guy is about to start preschool, and I already feel emotional that he’s hit that point already. What happened to toddling around after Mommy??

    • 50

      susannabarbee says

      I know! My two-year old is still toddling around after me, and I’m trying to soak it up because I now know how extremely fast it flies by.

  39. 56

    Family Travel Blogger says

    That is so precious. My daughter just finished her FIRST year of preschool and they didn’t have a graduation. I was so bummed – she didn’t even recieve a certificate.

  40. 57

    April Decheine says

    Aah what a little cutie, you will get to have many more graduations like this, each one makes you tear up! I have three the last one just graduated from college, our last graduate.

  42. 61

    thechattymomma says

    I never had a graduation as a kid, but my friends at other schools did. I always thought they were so cute. Congrats to your adorable little fella.

  43. 62

    Chrysa says

    How cute! My nephew had his kindergarten graduation on Friday. They didn’t do graduation robes but they had the cutest program with lots of songs.

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