Henri's First Day of School

June 15, 2011

Backpack (or "Bag"pack as you call it) - check.
Snacks (Cookies and Juice) - check.
Sketchbook/Notebook - check.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste - check.
Sporting your new "bunot" haircut c/o Dada - check.

Now, let's do the first day funk!

On the way to school...

with Yaya Marilyn

It was your first day of school this morning. Even if it is just toddler school and mostly playtime, I consider it a  "momentous" event because it officially starts the formal learning process you will go through. Knowing the proud parents we are (and overly stage mother that I am! hahaha!),  Dada and I made sure we were there to experience it with you. Since it was a new environment, we wanted to be there to help you adjust. At first, you actually didn't want to stay inside the classroom and kept pointing at the door, meaning he wanted to go out. The three of us (Dada, Yaya and I) had to talk you into staying inside. Teacher Kel (short for Kelvin) welcomed you with a smile, asked you to park your backpack and handed your nametag. We actually had to sort of bribe you with the toys around. Little by little you started to warm up and began to participate and socialize with the other kids.

The class started out with free play where all of you got to choose the toy/s you want to play with. You were drawn into the wooden beads and the colorful donut stack.

Sharing toys with Carlos or Cacu (What a cute nickname!)

Then came "Circle Time" where all the of you were asked to sit beside each other and listen to Teacher Kel. He introduced everyone first and distributed individual namecards. Then he went through the months of the year, days of the week and the weather through songs. Then he introduced the letter of the day which was letter M. He did this together with a puppet Monkey. M for Monkey :) 

After singing, clapping and dancing, it was time for Art. Everyone got cut out monkeys which they painted brown.

 Everyone wore their work aprons and started the art activity for the day. 

It was snack time afterwards...

Finally it was Story Time. I stepped out already when it came to this part so I'm not quite sure what story Teacher Kel read. Dada and I left for awhile to grab a quick snack nextdoor (Turkish Shawarma) and got back just in time to pick you up. By the looks of it, it was a successful and productive First Day for you :) Dada and I are so proud of you!