Ria’s first school experience

Last March 8, Ria attended a free trial of summer program in UA&P. Originally, the trial was for 3 years old and above but since there were few slots left before the date, 2.5 years old were allowed to join.

We brought Ria in school on Thursday to let her adjust. We also arrived early, around 8:30am (the trial started at 9am) to familiarize her with the school environment. When we arrived at the center, Ria was allowed to play with the outdoor toys. Some teachers (4th year students of Educ) tried to talk to her while she was playing but as expected, she ignored them.

Early bird enjoys the playground alone 🙂

Kids started to arrive at around 8:45am but she didn’t play with them. She played with the sand and water alone.

Playing with sand

At around 9am, the teachers allowed the kids to enter the room. Fortunately, Ria was among the first ones who entered the room because she had to pee. So she got to choose her table 🙂

Ria started to use the pencils and crayons inside the classroom with her favorite teacher

When all the kids were inside the room, we went to our respective offices to work. We went back at around 10:30 for snacks. We bought her biscuits since we didn’t bring any food. When we arrived at the center, there were kids outside the room and Ria was among them. We asked Dann’s officemate why the kids were outside. Sabi niya, ayaw nila sa loob, yung mga nasa loob gusto matuto. There were teachers outside to look after the kids.

He also said that Ria looked for me after few minutes we left. And she was holding her shoes. We were happy that she managed to be alone. I asked the officemate again, “Sino kaya nagpasimunong lumabas?” then he answered, “e di ung anak mo”. haha..good job Ria. Free trial pa lang pasaway na.

So snack time came, I gave Ria her biscuits. She ate inside the room with the other kids. This time, hindi na kami hinahanap ng anak namin. Ayaw na ata kami kasama. hehe. But it’s ok. At least she’s starting to socialize a bit.

After snack time, they were brought outside the room to play again. But it was only few minutes when the kids were asked to go inside the room again. Unfortunately, Ria was forced to go out the play house. So after a minute or two, Ria started to cry and looked for us. She was brought to us. I asked Dann to accompany her inside the room. It was Teacher Lexie who brought her out. Sand art activity na inside.

Dann went inside the room with Ria and she stayed there naman. We just waited outside the center in case maginarte ulit ang anak namin. Parachute play was one of the activities in stored for them after snacks.

Parachute activity!

We were so proud that Ria joined the acitivity. She also had a favorite teacher. In fairness, tong teacher na to e nakuha agad ang loob ni Ria. Good job!

Time for lunch! We bought Ria a burger steak meal from Jollibee. I went inside the room to get Ria for lunch. Given na sobrang tagal niya kumain. But when I went inside, Teacher Lexie saw me and asked me for Ria’s lunch. I handed her the paper bag and she faced Ria then said, “Jollibee!”. Dann said the other kids were astounded when they saw the bag. Oh well. E sa wala kaming naprepare na lunch..hehe.

We ate lunch at the waiting area. After lunch, we went back to our offices again. I was back at the center before 3pm to get Ria. But they were not yet done when I arrived. After a while, Ria was brought outside because she was crying, again. Apparently, she’s too tired and sleepy na and she cannot concentrate with the activity na. Supposedly, may nap time sila. Pero mukang nagenjoy ang anak ko at hindi sya natulog. Hinatid ko ulit si Ria. The kids were doing a smoothie na pero they ate few fruits muna. So muka namang naengganyo si kulit sa banana.

From time to time, labas ng labas si Ria so I stayed inside the room na lang pero sa waiting area lang. And Ria kept on looking for me. When the smoothie was done, uminom naman sya. So for the goodbye time, she was not able to join the circle because she wanted to stay with me. There were parents na rin naman inside the room so I stayed there na lang. I saw her sand art posted on the wall. Being a proud mom, I took a picture of her work.

her sand art! 🙂

And so, the day ended. She managed to play outside pa ah. Pero it was obvious that she was too tired. So we went back to my office at natulog sya dun.

It was a great experience for her and for us, too. We were so proud of her. Kaya naman pala niyang maging independent eh.

The Aftermath

Few days after the activity, one of the employees told us “buti pa si Ria, behave”. We answered, “nako, nahihiya lang po un” pero she said “nakikinig sya.” That made us proud!

I was also told by Teacher Lexie that her picture was already available. So I visited the webpage. Tadaah! Sya ang picture sa article about the acitivity! I posted the link on my FB. Syempre no, proud mom lang 🙂