Yay for summer! It was such a strange school year for us, and especially for Daph, but she was such a trooper. And here she is on her last day of preschool and headed to Pre-K in the fall.
Starting in September, we didn’t feel comfortable sending Daphne in-person, so we kept her home. But Eloise started remote school, so Daphne attended all of Eloise’s Morning Meetings (it was SO sweet to see her teachers include Daphne) as well as did a LOT more screen time. ABC Mouse and Duolingo were the big programs we used, but it also included watching shows on PBS and movies on Disney+. When your attention span is only 20 minutes, you have to have a variety of things to entertain! There was also a LOT of drawing and art projects, and bike rides around the neighborhood.
COVID rates were starting to fall in October and we briefly sent her, but by the end of the month, they were spiking and we decided to keep her home for the remainder of the fall. At first it was going to be through the New Year, but it wasn’t until mid-February that we felt comfortable with the local rates. And at that point, vaccines were starting too! Luckily, we didn’t get another big spike in rates and our city really embraced vaccines, so we were able to keep her in school for the remainder of the school year.
Daphne, though her school is completely play-based and we didn’t do any strict academic learning, has learned SO much! She recognizes and writes nearly every letter, and knows the sound of many. She can also count really well. Solidly to 20, but even beyond that! Just the other day she asked me when she would learn to read, so she could be just like Eloise (that’s a common theme around here).
At Daph’s school, her head teacher gives all the kids nicknames. Daphne’s is Daph A Doodle, and everyone at school calls her that, even all of the parents. It’s so sweet. And a few weeks ago, Daphne told me, “Mama, I have three names: Daph A Doodle.” The BEST!
And here’s Daphne’s first day in the fall!
Happy SUMMER Daph!
M