When it came time to select a preschool for my eldest child, my approach was far from conventional. I didn’t delve into various educational philosophies, nor did I add his name to lengthy waiting lists. I certainly didn’t explore options that exceeded our budget.
Our move from the United States to Mexico for work coincided with this crucial decision. After asking around, I discovered a school conveniently located within walking distance of our new home. My partner and I took a tour, and soon after, we enrolled our son.
Despite the fact that the primary language of instruction was Spanish—something my son had yet to learn—and the school’s rather simple academic program that introduced just one letter each month, we felt content with our choice. The preschool was affordable, safe, and the teachers were friendly. With so many other responsibilities on our plate, we didn’t seek out alternatives.
Before becoming a parent, I would have been anxious about such a school. I envisioned myself as one of those parents who would obsessively prioritize their children’s education, poring over potty-training manuals after long workdays. I expected to be like others who, despite earning decent salaries, found their disposable income consumed by elite preschools—often requiring them to volunteer during their limited vacation days.
However, my perspective shifted dramatically once I was juggling a demanding baby and a toddler who needed endless stories before naptime. At some point, while reading the sixteenth book, I realized it was okay to be kinder to myself. Sometimes, opting for a movie instead of another story was perfectly acceptable. Perhaps my children didn’t need every meal to be organic or require a top-tier preschool. My mental well-being was important too.
So, my partner and I opted for the preschool that simplified our lives, even if it meant our son faced some challenges. We didn’t realize at the time that this modest neighborhood school was just what he needed.
Initially, he struggled to fit in. He often returned home feeling sad that the other children didn’t understand him and excluded him from play. I assumed that transitioning to an English-speaking preschool would have been smoother, perhaps even better with an educational philosophy that suited his personality.
Yet, as time passed, my son began to pick up Spanish. He soon started sharing stories about amusing moments with classmates like Mateo and Sofia. A month later, he was bringing home birthday invitations from his new friends. Before long, he was receiving mostly gold stars on his progress reports, with only a few frowns for mishaps like misusing the subjunctive or not completing his homework on tracing letters (which was more our fault than his).
By the end of the school year, he was eager to arrive at school early and stay late. He had developed a fondness for his preschool, and when it was time to enroll him for another year, we happily did so.
Halfway through that second year, he excitedly told me, “My teacher gave me a special task!” “That’s fantastic! What is it?” I asked. “There’s a new girl from Canada who only speaks English, so I help her understand,” he proudly explained.
I was struck by how far he had come. Eventually, I met the new girl’s mother, who revealed that they were actually from Brazil, not Canada. Clearly, his geography lessons could use some work! By the end of preschool, he hadn’t memorized numbers or letters as I once thought he would, but I had no complaints.
The school that seemed imperfect for my son actually taught him resilience. It pushed him to discover common ground with classmates who initially felt too different. He learned to adapt and navigate a sometimes intimidating environment. Ultimately, he realized that with kindness and perseverance, he could thrive anywhere.
While I never planned for it to unfold this way, I came to understand that these are the very skills I wanted him to develop. The world he’s entering won’t always be accommodating, but those who succeed are often the ones who venture outside their comfort zones and confront challenges head-on.
In the end, this seemingly ordinary preschool turned out to be exactly what my son needed. I suppose I should probably get him a globe.
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Summary:
Choosing a preschool for my son was a decision based on convenience rather than ideals, given our move to Mexico. Initially, I had reservations about the school due to its language and academic approach. However, my son adapted, learned Spanish, and thrived in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The experience taught him resilience and social skills, proving that sometimes, what seems imperfect can be perfectly suited to our needs.
Keyphrase: convenient preschool for my son
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