Preschool

Today our little Penny went to her first day of preschool.

Penny and her teacher-- wearing her school shoes

Honestly, preschool is not a high priority for my kids. I think kids learn a lot by spending time at home with their mom and, in our case, sister. We play, read, watch too much TV (that should change), go out and about, and also play with the other preschoolers in our building. Penny has several close friends, and she is developing her social skills with them. In general, I don't think preschool adds much more to this. I mean, forcing your 2-year-old to memorize academic facts at this age doesn't jump-start their academic success. It just takes time away from learning so many other things at this age. I mean, she could learn to spell C-U-P, or she could spend time using a cup, pouring water in and out of one, stacking them, throwing her milk (ugh... that's why we didn't take her to preschool yesterday), learning her parents' reactions from doing all of the above, etc. I'm a big fan of learning; I just don't think that it has to happen in preschool.

And yet, I'm sending my 2-year-old to preschool.

We've lived in China for about a year now. Penny can understand a lot of Chinese, especially since most of her friends' moms and Ayis are Chinese, and the rest of us speak Chinese. She's exposed to the language. But so far, she hasn't started speaking it very much. She'll say, "B'yao b'yao b'yao!" which is Chinese for "No, I don't want, I don't want, I don't want." One time when someone on the street stopped to goo-goo over Meimei, Penny poked her head out from the back of the stroller and told her, "Bu yao peng Meimei," or, "Don't touch Meimei!" She's learning Chinese slowly, but she doesn't use it much. I think taking her to preschool 2-3 mornings a week will help her. And that's a big reason we came to China in the first place.

I wonder how long it will take for her Chinese to be better than mine.

In her own words:

Meanwhile, Meimei and I had a great morning. She sang along with me to "Baa Baa Black Sheep," at least for the "baa baa" part. She was very happy, smiley, and ecstatic this morning. I think this one-on-one Meimei and Mommy time will be a wonderful thing. Plus, during her nap I get to do whatever I want. Wahoo!

(Not from today, but it could have been)