By Diana Cadlaon
It’s graduation day at Little Seeds Preschool (Church of the Good Shepherd)—the culmination of one of the most anticipated milestones in a child’s early education journey!
Decked out in their graduation gowns and mortar boards, with vibrant performance costumes underneath, the children’s giggles and smiles fill the air. Our little graduands are ready to march across the stage and proudly receive their certificate for completing their preschool education!
As the music plays, parents’ hearts race with joy as they watch their child march up on stage, receive their certificate, shake the principal’s hand and take a bow! After the formalities, they return to the stage to perform for their parents, showcasing their newfound talents. How beautiful this moment is, one that marks the end of their preschool journey.
Wait a minute, is that it? Let’s pause and take a step back to look beyond the graduation performances. Graduation is not just a ceremony; it is the celebration of a child’s growth and development of essential life skills and values. Preschool isn’t just about learning to read, write, or count—it’s about building the foundation for a strong start in life.
Let’s take a closer look at three key processes every child experiences during their preschool years which go beyond academics and are essential in shaping their future.
1. Persevering and embracing challenges
Imagine a Kindergarten 2 student—let’s call him Alex—who is adjusting to a new classroom, new teachers, and even a new language. At first, Alex struggles with writing and math, especially since Mandarin is his first language. He feels overwhelmed at times, but with encouragement from his teachers, he continues to try. His early drawings are made up of dots, lines, and basic shapes, and his numeracy skills are a work in progress. Yet, every day, he persists. Whenever he needs help, he approaches his teachers without hesitation.
By the time graduation day arrives, Alex is confidently spelling simple words and participating in math games. He has gained the courage to perform in front of an audience—dancing and playing the keyboard during the ceremony. Alex’s journey demonstrates the power of perseverance—he didn’t give up, even when things were tough, and that’s a lesson he’ll carry with him throughout life.
2. Overcoming failure
For preschoolers, every loss can feel like a big deal. Whether it’s a math game, a tug-of-war or even musical chairs, losing can bring up strong emotions like disappointment and frustration. However, these moments are crucial in teaching children how to manage their feelings and handle failure.
As teachers, we give them the space to feel and allow them to verbalise those emotions. We encourage them to try again and not give up. Take Emma, for instance. She just learned how to play chess. At first, she lost every game. Yet, her teacher and friends reinforced an important lesson: losing is part of winning. By playing with stronger opponents, Emma would eventually grow stronger herself. Over time, she learned to embrace the losses, asking her teacher to play with her every day. Even though she lost month after month, Emma internalized the valuable lesson that resilience in the face of defeat builds character and skill.
For preschoolers, these moments of loss and disappointment are opportunities for growth, and the adults around them play a vital role in helping them understand that setbacks are just stepping stones to success.
3. Developing a sense of community and collaboration
Collaboration and teamwork are essential life skills that preschoolers begin to develop early on. Through group activities, projects, and classroom explorations, children learn the importance of considering the needs and perspectives of others—whether it’s their class, school, or community.
By engaging in group tasks, preschoolers learn to communicate effectively, share responsibilities, and collaborate toward a common goal. These experiences foster a sense of empathy and social awareness, which are crucial for success both in school and later in life.
Truly, graduation ceremonies are celebrations of each child’s unique and beautiful journey in preschool. As we watch our little graduands in their gowns, marching across the stage, let’s remember that the ceremony is just the outward reflection of the deeper journey they’ve undertaken.
It’s not just about performing for an audience or collecting a certificate—it’s about the small, daily efforts, the values they’ve learned, and the personal growth that’s taken place behind the scenes to help them achieve a good and strong start in Primary school and in life!
To find out more about our preschools, visit https://littleseeds.edu.sg/.
Diana Cadlaon is senior teacher and K2 class teacher at Little Seeds Preschool (Church of the Good Shepherd)
