Red Group

Early November, Avery was transitioned to the next class at school - Red Group.  It is "where preschool begins" at her daycare.  She has nice new teachers.  There is a lot more freedom, they can choose what activity they wish to do.  There is circle time in the morning where they hear stories and discuss things that happened in the story.  Red group is for 2 year olds.  Avery was about 28 months when the transition started.  I was initially worried because she loved her lead morning teacher in Toddler 2, Teacher Beverly.  But she has done great with the transition and talks fondly of her new teachers, Annette, Coco and Ana when we are home.  She also talks a lot more about her friends and who she plays with, what they do, what she eats.  In red group, they encourage independence, there are big stairs leading to the sinks where they can turn on the water, get soap and grab a paper towel and throw it away.  There are 2 little toilets.  This is where she will potty train.  We talk about her friends and who goes potty and who still wears diapers.  I have friend whose now 6 year old was once in red group and potty trained there and she doesn't even remember potty training because they essentially did it there for her and she never had any issues at home with it.  I am hoping we will have a similar experience :)

They still take naps and she seems to nap there everyday even though it remains a struggle at home.  She shares a cubbie with her friend, Miles.  Last week when we arrived, Miles was sitting eating breakfast when we walked in the gate, he said cheerily "Hi Avery!". She didn't say anything, stinker.  Then he pulled out the chair next to him wanting her to sit there.  She chose another seat despite my encouragement to sit with him, stinker 2.  But the teachers say he is her favorite friend.  He is so sweet always and a handsome little boy.  They have been in school together since they were little babies.  I think red group will be a time of great discovery and change.  She often wakes up smiling when she knows we are headed to school and that alone makes me very happy.