Let me just gush as a mom for a moment. My son ‘graduated’ from preschool last night. I spent the morning with his class for a pizza party (handmade pizza) and in the evening the teachers held a "celebration of success" to mark the end of the children’s time in the program. While we were at school, my son said to me, ‘Mommy, ZERO!’ I didn’t understand at first but then I got it - ZERO days of school left. "School’s out! No more school," I said. And then he did this cute little dance. He understands this at 4? I thought.At the evening ceremony, he donned a purple-hued, paper graduation cap and was handed a certificate by his teacher and principal. I think this was more for the parents than the kids. It really signified our son’s growth and the passing of an era. Sure, he’s nearly a 5-year-old, but he will always be my little boy. I didn’t cry, but looked on proudly as he sang his songs and danced his dance with the classmates - complete with sunglasses on. The first time, two years ago, when his class did a presentation, he just sat on the ground while his friends did the dance around him. He’s grown so much in the last two years in Gilbert’s Amancer program. Hats off to the teacher - Jaki Vurich - and her assistants and the school’s speech pathologist and occupational therapist. He’s gone from one and two-word sentences, to letting us know his needs with a multitude of words. He’s surely gotten off on the right foot because of this program. He is an amazing kid and I couldn’t be more proud and happy for him to make the next transition to kindergarten.
