When you get the privilege to teach a child throughout the school year, you get a front-row seat to a magical show. You get to know their amazing personalities and unique talents. You get to watch them grow and mature in incredible ways. You get to see the future blossom in front of your eyes.
The milestones preschool kids hit in just one year are mind-boggling. They may come to you not knowing how to hold a pencil and leave being able to write their name correctly. And that's just one simple example! The special moments are many, and you can capture those milestones so they can be forever cherished by families.
Progress reports and awards
It doesn't necessarily matter where a child is in their education as long as they are making forward progress. By tracking this progress, you not only prove you're having an impact, but you have created a special memento for caregivers. For example, at the start of the year, have a student try to write the alphabet. Then do the same at the halfway mark and then at the end. It's amazing to see the progress when you compare these sheets! Provide a certificate of achievement to a child who's mastered a skill to build confidence and celebrate their hard work.
Fall and spring photos
Growth spurts hit kids so frequently, you might think there's some type of preschooler fertilizer you're not aware of! A child might grow a lot in a single school year, maturing in looks and features. Capture this growth by offering families the option to do both fall and spring school photos. Lifetouch Preschool Portraits loves to work with schools to offer seasonal backdrops that perfectly capture kids' personalities throughout the school year. It's so fun to compare how kids looked in fall photos compared to their spring ones.
Milestone calendar
Support one another and celebrate special moments by keeping a milestone calendar for the class. Students and parents can share when their child experienced a milestone at home and you of course can add them when they occur in the classroom. Mark the date that Johnny mastered the monkey bars. Note when Jenny identified every letter of the alphabet correctly. Mark the date that the class reached their goal for collecting canned goods. Review the calendar every month during group time to celebrate just how much everybody accomplished.
Scrapbook keepsake
Keep a file for each child and throughout the year add special crafts and worksheets to it. At the end of the year, make those items into a scrapbook, adding in pictures of students working hard and having fun. Each customized scrapbook celebrates a child's achievements and makes a great gift to parents.
Preschool graduation
You're beaming with pride — and perhaps a little sad — that the end of the year has arrived and your students are graduating from preschool. This is a milestone and worthy of celebration! Plan a special day full of unique graduation-themed crafts and snacks. You might even host an event where family can join and watch the kids get little diplomas. Click here for more ideas for planning a memorable preschool graduation party. Get a head start and start planning now! The year is sure to zoom by.
The milestones preschool kids hit in just one year are mind-boggling. They may come to you not knowing how to hold a pencil and leave being able to write their name correctly. And that's just one simple example!