Elizabeth starts Preschool

I was really stressing about Elizabeth’s preschool.  I did not just want to send her to a normal Preschool because, after looking into some of them, they seemed like day care. They were also so very expensive.  None of the women in my ward in Louisville were interested in a Joy School type program and me teaching her at home was causing contention.  After our move I was hopeful to find a group of ladies that would be willing to do something with me but what I found was so much better!! 

There is an older woman, Teacher Wilson, in a neighboring ward who teaches Joy School from her home.  Her children are all grown and she loves to teach and be around kids, and kids love her.  Elizabeth goes to the Monday/Wednesday class (5 kids) and she loves it. She has learnt so much. Something special about the Joy School curriculum is that it does not just teach the ABCs (but it does do that) but it teaches life lessons. Each month they learn about a different thing; seasons, our bodies, service, goals, agency and laws.  She even learned and recites daily the Pledge of Allegiance, which in today’s social and political environment is such a treasure.  They teach a lot through songs, which is the main way that Elizabeth learns, and she absolutely loves it.

1st Day of School

 

 

 On Friday, Elizabeth goes to Mrs Stacey’s Preschool. This is run by another woman in the stake who is a teacher and teaches from her home. This is more of a ‘traditional preschool” and focuses more on the academics but I am, again, amazed at Elizabeth’s progress.  She brings a book home and does a ‘book report’ every week.  I love reading the books with her and am impressed by how much her growth and understanding has become. She is also becoming a wonderful artist; I don’t know if this is attributed to school, or just her age, but it is fun seeing her draw the things from her books. She is enjoying everything so much and I love seeing her grow and excel. 

 

 

 

 Here is some of Elizabeth's new artwork.  She's so cute.

Hamburger, Pizza and an Apple

Mrs Stacey's Preschool went to a W  to sing

Learning about Reindeer in Preschool

In Joy School they go on field trips.  In September they went to a local lake and got to go canoeing. It was right when we had joined so I was able to meet more of the parents. 

In October they went to feed fish and to explore nature.  They had a picnic at a park. They also went to a pumpkin patch and got to paint pumpkins. The kids also got to do a small Halloween program for parents with a costume parade.

 

 

 

 

Costume Parade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In November the kids had a Thanksgiving feast and learned about the Pilgrims.

One evening in December the kids put on a Christmas Program for friends and family. It was so adorable and I was so impressed by the Joy School program and all that Elizabeth has learnt.  

In January the kids went to the local Panera Bread.  They were taken back to the ovens and shown how the bread is made.  Then they decorated their own heart cookies. It was cool to see everything and to have this fun experience.

New Years Party at Joy School

 

 In February they got a tour of the Longmont Library.  They went before it opened and had a small story time, a tour of the library (even the back where no one gets to go) and got to check out a book.  It was super fun for them, especially because Elizabeth is such a book worm.

Valentine's Day Party

 Elizabeth also got to take some cookies to Joy School for her Birthday (And fun stickers to Preschool). She was very excited.