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- [S106] The Mountain Press, 22 Aug 2005.
Kindergarten: A big day for children, even bigger day for moms
By: CANDICE GRIMM, Staff Writer August 22, 2005
Fat lead pencils, crayons, paints and more are already stuffed into Dylan McGaha's new backpack and ready to go on his first day of kindergarten at New Center Elementary.
As for Dylan, he's excited and anxious to be as big as his older brother Anthony, 15, and sister Ashley, 12, with whom he gets to ride the bus.
His mother, however, isn't ready for all this.
"I'm not thinking about it right now because when Monday comes I know I'll be in shambles," said Sevierville's Tammy McGaha, adding that her husband Paul seems to be all right with it.
To his mother, however, "Dylan's going to school means he's not a baby any more; he's grown up and I don't like it. I'm a bigger baby than he is when it comes to certain things."
While McGaha has already experienced sending the two oldest children off to school, she said, "When my first one started school it bothered me, but not as bad. I think it's because I'm older now. Also, I was a single mother when my first baby was born and I had to go back to work within weeks of his birth. With this one, I got to stay home a lot more with him, and his daddy and I get to do more stuff with him."
McGaha has been shopping since mid-July for the clothes and supplies Dylan would need. She believes kindergartners need more supplies now because they are expected to learn more than they did 10 years ago.
First on the list was a backpack that could only be constructed of clear plastic or mesh. Next on the list were the fat lead pencils, crayons, paints, scissors, glue, construction paper, Playdough, paper plates, brown or white lunch bags, tissues, hand sanitizer and a mat to sleep on.
"He saw some folders he wanted too, but I told him he didn't need those yet. All Anthony needed for kindergarten were markers, glue and tissues - that's what 10 years will do for you," said McGaha.
But preparing a child for kindergarten today also means doing much more than buying supplies. Within the same year the child will start school, he must have a physical and a record of immunizations filled out by the doctor.
Then there is screening to see if the child is ready. In April Dylan was tested to see if he knew his colors, numbers and letters, and whether he was able to count backwards and jump on one foot, among other things. Dylan's test score was a 96.
"We've worked with him this summer to make sure he remembers his colors, numbers, his address and phone number and his parents' names - it takes tons of time," said McGaha.
McGaha said she has also tried to follow the advice she was given by Dylan's day care teacher: be positive in talking about Dylan going to school and explain to him what will go on.
"She also said if I cry, I should try not to let him see me," which McGaha admits will be a struggle.
"I'll drop him off the first day - I have to take him to school. It will be hard, but I think once I get home from work Monday night and he tells me what he did that day, I'll be fine, because he always tells me what he does in day care," said McGaha.
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Abt 2000 - (~ 24 years)