My children graduated last Friday. I know. Some of you are saying, “Wha? Aren’t your kids, like, really young?” Well, it just so happens that in the land of day-care learning centers, the kids graduate every year.
The philosophy was a tad bit hard for me to grasp in the beginning. Both of my children started at the center when they were about three months old. When my daughter was nine months of age and notices were sent out regarding the upcoming graduation ceremony, I couldn’t imagine her class would be included. Nonetheless, I was assured by her teachers that yes she would in fact graduate, cap on head and diploma in hand.
My husband and I bickered over the initial attendance. He didn’t see the point in holding a ceremony for children so young. Initially I was leading towards agreement. Did I really want to take time off work for an infant graduation? The answer inevitably was yes. I did feel the tugging need to be there; to allow us all to share in the experience. When the movie The Incredibles came out we both had a chuckle over this husband/wife exchange:
Helen: I can’t believe you don’t want to go to your own son’s graduation.
Bob: It’s not a graduation. He’s moving from the fourth grade to the fifth grade.
Helen: It’s a ceremony!
Bob: It’s psychotic!
It’s nice to know that even in the world of Pixar, someone understands.
So, of course we go every year…this being our fourth. It’s an awesome picture opportunity for the parents and a great chance for families and teachers to get together. For the infants and toddlers, they have no idea what’s going on. They try to take the caps off their heads to look at them. They try to eat their diplomas. They stare blankly at the crowd staring back at them, as numerous flash bulbs flood their eyes. Still, it really is very sweet, and proof that some things, regardless your perceived level of crazy, should not be overlooked.
Sofia, Infant Graduation ’06
Dominic, Infant Graduation ’08
Now that Sofia is in preschool, she has a much stronger understanding of what’s taking place, and has become an active participant. She sang and danced with her class, often looking over to me and Tony to see our reactions. She was so proud of herself, and we loved every minute of it, smiling and cheering her on.
Sofia, Preschoold Graduation ’09- smiling with her teachers and artwork.
Dominic, Toddler Graduation ’09- still a little like, “huh?”
Oh, and there’s cake too! How could I ever think of missing this?
