It is hard to believe we have two kids in kindergarten. Seriously, where does the time go?! Last week, Alison started her 2nd year of kindergarten and Miles his first. For those who are confused, here in Switzerland the kids start kindergarten when they are 4 but remain in kindergarten for two years. During the first year, they go to school for 3.5 hrs in the morning 4 days a week, and have one afternoon session a week consisting of 90 minutes. Every day they come home for lunch for 90 minutes as well. This year since Alison is in 2nd Kindergarten, she goes every morning (5 days a week) and also has one afternoon session as well. What is cool about it also is that she has the same teachers from last year which she loves and the same kids who were together with her in her 1st year of kindergarten are now the big kids together in the 2nd year.
As much as I would've loved for them to be in kindergarten together, and plenty of others siblings do this, everyone encouraged us to separate them. The teachers were encouraging this for the their language skills and friends were encouraging it for their social skills. Alison has really picked up Swiss German, whereas Miles has not. So there was a concern that if Miles and Ali were in school together that she may revert back to English and Miles wouldn't learn Swiss German. And after a week and a half, I think we made the right decision. They both seem to be doing really well. They walk to school together and their classrooms are across the hallway from one another. I say 'walk' loosely, since Miles started kindergarten he literally runs there as fast as his little legs can carry him. He loves it! I guess that last year of staying home with mommy was enough. He arrived home after the first morning saying "I love it!" and by the 2nd day of kindergarten (which is his "long" day) he told me "Mommy, I didn't even miss you!" in a sort of surprised tone. Thanks kid.
Kindergarten here is a bit like preschool back in the U.S. There isn't a big push for reading and writing, as that doesn't happen until 1st grade. Here the emphasis seems to be on social skills, crafts, and various theme based learning activities. Last year Alison learned quite a bit about the body, snails and various other themes. She already came home this week to announce she knows how baby cows are born. I guess farm animals is the theme for this semester. They play outside for about 30 minutes every morning (rain or shine) and have gym class once a week. Scattered throughout each semester are various field trips to the forest and the library, along with visits from the dentist.
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| He is so proud |
Alison is being a really great big sister, making sure Miles gets to school and back home on time, which isn't always easy. He tends to be a bit of a dawdler and many times I have apprehended them halfway home with Miles missing his 'znunitaschli' (backpack) or his cap or 'leutzky' (orange reflector). Oh well. Like I said he is doing amazingly well compared to his big sister this same time last year.
And I finally have a few hours of peace and quiet most mornings. It was a bit strange the first week, eerily quiet and I just felt a bit out of sorts. But I am starting to get more of a routine in place, trying not to do housework the entire time, enjoying a leisurely coffee with friends and hopefully hitting the gym a few times a week. I am also investing some time in growing my essential oil business. Although I must say the mornings go by super fast and the to do list grows daily, but laundry has been put away by day 2 instead of day 4 or 5, dinners are a bit better prepared and I have a bit of casual time to spend with Erik in the evenings. All in all, an amazing start to kindergarten this year.
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| So Proud |
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| Dressed alike even |
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| Going to school |
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| Trying very hard to sit still |
It is hard to believe we have two kids in kindergarten. Seriously, where does the time go?! Last week, Alison started her 2nd year of kindergarten and Miles his first. For those who are confused, here in Switzerland the kids start kindergarten when they are 4 but remain in kindergarten for two years. During the first year, they go to school for 3.5 hrs in the morning 4 days a week, and have one afternoon session a week consisting of 90 minutes. Every day they come home for lunch for 90 minutes as well. This year since Alison is in 2nd Kindergarten, she goes every morning (5 days a week) and also has one afternoon session as well. What is cool about it also is that she has the same teachers from last year which she loves and the same kids who were together with her in her 1st year of kindergarten are now the big kids together in the 2nd year. 
Kindergarten here is a bit like preschool back in the U.S. There isn't a big push for reading and writing, as that doesn't happen until 1st grade. Here the emphasis seems to be on social skills, crafts, and various theme based learning activities. Last year Alison learned quite a bit about the body, snails and various other themes. She already came home this week to announce she knows how baby cows are born. I guess farm animals is the theme for this semester. They play outside for about 30 minutes every morning (rain or shine) and have gym class once a week. Scattered throughout each semester are various field trips to the forest and the library, along with visits from the dentist.
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