Where does the time go? How could it be the end of the school year already? No one should be surprised that the month of June is a tremendously emotional one - so many transitions to a new stage of life take place this month. For parents of young children there is the milestone of graduation from Pre-K and the transition to "big school" kindergarten in the fall. Many a parent will have a tear in their eye as they watch this first of many graduation ceremonies to come as their child starts on their public school journey. It is natural to feel both excitement and anxiety as they leave the comfort of the JCC pre-school family and move into the larger world of formal education. For younger children there is the excitement (and some anxiety) of moving up to the next level group - whether from infant to toddler or toddler to nursery and the adjustment to new teachers, classmates and classroom. Familiarity with these new teachers and classrooms will surely help ease that transition.
An additional emotional touchstone this month is the end of the routine of daily school to the looser schedule of summer fun. Fun for whom, you ask? Parents are now responsible for keeping their young children occupied for days and weeks at a time – not just 2 days over a weekend – for the next several months. Can you sense the feelings of panic in the air? Summer camp can come to the rescue! The JCC offers a variety of schedules for the summer months that will keep little ones happily occupied and suitably tired at the end of the day.
Between vacations planned, day trips to the beach, park, playground or pool, visits by company and holiday celebrations the new school year will be here before you know it. Time always passes more quickly when you are having fun and summer time is rich with opportunities for both fun and learning. May everyone enjoy a safe, happy and healthy summer and come back with lots of stories of your favorite experiences. Feel free to share your ideas for keeping your children productively occupied during the summer months - we would love to hear from you.
Karen Horowitz
Parenting Resource Network Director
