In my own kindergarten classroom, we don’t have a kindergarten graduation. It feels like a huge step! But when we note every step as a remarkable one, do the really important ones become a bit less special for the child? Kids are moving onto a school they will be attending for many years. And it's true, finishing preschool and moving to kindergarten is a big deal. It seems that these days, our childrens lives are filled with pomp-and-circumstance to mark every milestone.
While, I value these graduation ceremonies I still fully agree with my children’s kindergarten teacher’s decision NOT to have a kindergarten graduation. Now, my own children have experienced preschool graduations, 6 th grade graduation, and my son is about to celebrate his 8 th grade graduation. My very first graduation ceremony was when I graduated from high school. I do remember, however, the transition from elementary school to junior high and from junior high to high school. I’m guessing there was not, because it really wasn’t a trend yet. I’m not even sure if I had a preschool graduation. I don’t remember much about my own preschool experience or the transition to kindergarten.
