Celebrating graduation day in preschool

A wonderful way to end a memorable school year!

We are soon coming to the end of our current school year and in honor of the time we have spent together and what the future holds, we celebrate with a fun, simple, but very memorable preschool graduation…

Celebrating graduation day by Teach Preschool

See our graduation in action!

 

There are many different thoughts about whether or not it is “appropriate” for preschoolers to participate in a graduation program or ceremony. I can’t answer that for you because I think it all depends on the approach you take and if your approach will be a meaningful and enriching experience for your students and their parents. While you consider what you believe is in the best interest of your students and parents, I thought I would share what our graduation day was like last year and talk a little bit about why we celebrate this day together…

Celebrating graduation day by Teach Preschool

Why we Celebrate

I have a small preschool and all of my students are with me from the day they enter the program until the day they leave my program.  During their time with me, my students grow and learn so much that it is simply amazing. I don’t want the last day of their time with me to just come and go as if it wasn’t significant. I want my students and their parents to know that their time in preschool was precious and that I valued every second of it. I want to offer my students and parents the chance to celebrate the closing of their preschool years and the beginning of new experiences to come. Our graduates are moving on to new discoveries and new accomplishments but they take with them the many discoveries and accomplishments we shared together and this is all worth celebrating…

Celebrating graduation day by Teach Preschool

How we Celebrate

In my preschool, all the students are involved in the graduation celebration. They all march down the red carpet together with the younger (future-graduates) leading the way.  Last year, all the children marched down the isle to the lively tune of “I’m Bringing Home My Baby Bumble Bee.”  This got our program off to a fun, relaxed, and very preschool focused start…

Celebrating graduation day by Teach Preschool

Preparing for Graduation Day

Before graduation day, we went outside a couple of times and practiced our walk down the isle so the children would know what to do on graduation day but my assistant and I were there to remind them as needed on the day of graduation…

Celebrating graduation day by Teach Preschool

Singing Songs

We also spent a couple of days practicing our songs that we planned to sing for the parents.  The songs we sing each year are usually all songs we have been singing throughout the school year so the children are already familiar with them and comfortable singing them together…

Celebrating graduation day by Teach Preschool

On the day of graduation, all the children sing a couple of songs together first and then our graduates sing a song on their own plus demonstrate a few things they have learned throughout the school year…

Celebrating Graduation Day by Teach Preschool

Giving Individual Recognition

And then I call up each child to the stage. Each of our future graduates get a certificate for completing a year in preschool…

Celebrating Graduation Day by Teach Preschool

And each of our graduates get their diploma for completing their preschool experience…

Celebrating Graduation day by Teach Preschool

Sharing Special Memories

While each student is up on the stage, I take a quick minute to share something special about each child. This gives parents a little extra time to take photos and me the chance to tell how proud I am of each of my students…

Celebrating graduation day by Teach Preschool

Having Fun Together!

And once all the children have received their diploma or certificate, we end our celebration with a fun song the children can freely dance and have fun with…

Celebrating Graduation Day by Teach Preschool

The parents and children then all stick around and eat cake, visit with one another, and then we call it a night. I would say the entire presentation lasts about 45 minutes from walking down the isle to dancing to our last song. Because our graduation celebration is held outdoors, we don’t try and do a slide presentation but no worries, my parents have been seeing photos of everything we do in our classroom all year long in our private online forum and here on the blog.

Wrapping it all up

This year, I might change up the order or layout or the songs we sing just a bit but what will be the same this year and every year will be the focus of our celebration. The focus is always on the accomplishments my students made throughout the year and the great things that are ahead.  The graduation ceremony is designed to celebrate those things through a fun, relaxed, and simple preschool celebration.

PS. For those who are wondering about our graduation robes, we ordered them from Rhyme University this year. I hope I get them on time! As far as why we wear them? Because they are beautiful and it makes our graduates feel special. Besides all preschool age children love dressing up – especially to come to a celebration!

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Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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