Looking for an elementary school can be a daunting task. As a parent, we want the best for our kids. We want them to have fun at school, but make sure that their brains are being nurtured and challenged in positive ways. The search for schools now starts as early as preschool. In preschool, parents begin researching the "best" Kindergarten programs and begin the "interview" process to enroll their kids. In reality, the search for schools sometimes starts during infancy. Parents place themselves on waiting lists for classes that will form 3-4 years in the future. While we all want the best for our children, what does this early push for the "perfect" school environment really do to our child's school experience? What are we really looking for as parents? I encourage parents to take a step back and be present with your child as they navigate toddlerhood and early childhood. Rather than focus on getting your child into the "perfect" school, take notice of what your child loves and find a school setting that will support that. Does your child love to build or create structures or works of art? Does your child love to read or cook? Kids have many years to sit in a classroom and learn in a traditional sense. Early childhood is better spent exploring and engaging in new adventures. Embrace childhood and the creativity that is inherent in their little brains, and try not to get caught up in the pressure to place young children in rigorous academic environments too early. You only get one chance to be a kid, but when you are a parent you get to experience childhood once again through the eyes of your little one.
