Helping Our Children Bloom

Thank you for taking the time to meet with us for parent teacher conferences last week. We love the opportunity to sit down together, celebrate growth, talk through questions, and learn more from you about your most favorite subject: your child!

Last year, I shared a little about the book Leo the Late Bloomer and its reminder that children grow and develop at their own pace. This is something we see every day in preschool. Each child brings different strengths, and those exciting moments of growth do not happen on the same schedule.

But there is another important piece to that message. Honoring a child’s pace does not always mean simply waiting for things to fall into place. Sometimes, blooming takes a little extra support, and recognizing that need is one of the ways we care for our children.

For some children, that support might come from a speech-language therapist. We often think of speech support as help pronouncing sounds clearly, but it can look different for each child. One child may need help being understood, while another may need support finding words, putting sentences together, or understanding what others are saying. Others may benefit from practicing the back-and-forth communication that helps them join play and connect with friends. Even a child who talks often can need support with certain communication skills.

For another child, an occupational therapist may help build skills for everyday activities, such as using classroom tools, managing clothing, or participating more comfortably in daily routines. And how lucky are we to have Christen Timmons here on campus to partner with us when children need extra support navigating big feelings?

These conversations are such an important part of our partnership. We share what we notice at school, and you help us understand what you see at home. Together, we can consider what each child needs to feel capable, connected, and successful.

Thank you for your time, your openness, and the trust you place in us. We love getting to know your children and helping them grow. There is so much joy in watching them bloom, and sometimes we get to help by giving them a little more of what they need.