Thoughts from my son's kindergarten graduation

Baobao attended his last day of kindergarten yesterday. There was a party and the parents brought lots of food. Unlike normally where parents will leave after dropping their kids, there was an air of excitement as parents and grandparents hanged around after the kids went in. I guess what I can speak for them is : We wanna attend the damn party too!

Like I had mentioned on facebook before. After having Baobao go through school, I have a much deeper appreciation for teachers. Your precious child, whom you sacrificed and love so much, is going to school and someone else is taking good care of him with dedication and love.

I cannot express my gratitude for the teacher and school enough. And love. I am not sure all parents are as emotional as I, but really, through Baobao, I can see all the good work the school had done for him. Seeing how he can read and write so well, learning about recycling, solar systems, and so many things. Being trained for storytelling, and the school concert. Kindergarten had been a full and happy experience for him.

If not for the dedication and hard work of teachers and the principal, it would not happen.

I like the system. No exams, no pressure to excel. The kids all learn at their own pace. Some of Baobao's classmates are not as academically inclined as Baobao, but the teacher and the system never make comparisons or show him favouritism.

I know some parents will wish that the more the school can teach, the better, thus they load their kids with extra classes. Baobao did alot of class work, very little home work.    

We just got the video for the graduation concert and one thing struck me. In Baobao's school, there wasn't any particular hero in the shows they put up. Everybody shares the same stage no matter how good he or she is.

It is this environment that I love most about this school. No one is the best and no one is lousy. Every kid is treated the same. Such a precious trait in a school. I guess why I like the school so much is because the philosophy on which it is run is a perfect match with my preschool education ideology.


The Ministry of Education just released a list of Outstanding Kindergartens and Teachers for the year. Baobao's kindergarten is not on the list. Even though I think he has had the best education here.

And it highlights something very well. That no matter how big or small a role you play, it is already an honour to be part of an outstanding group. In this case, even though Baobao's school or teacher had not been honoured with an award, their job is still so meaningful and well done. As a receiver of their service, I do not one bit think not getting an award amounts to anything at all. At the very centre of it all, that they work their best and deliver a quality preschool education is the most important thing. Once you have done that, nothing else matters. As the service provider, you carry that pride in your heart. 


It is inspiring that the hero is made up of many people doing their jobs well instead of just one person. I am deeply touched by the profession.

Before Baobao attended this school, I had the impression that PCF kindergartens are the lower rungs of the crop in terms of quality because of its low fees and accessibility to the poorer folks. But now, I have a shiny impression of the school. Behind that humble front, many thoughts and expertism have gone into the work. 

And...really it is through this experience of mine that the desire to serve the community becomes stronger. In my own school years and now in my son's, we have benefited from the other people's hard work. When you receive enough goodness, you want to give it back, or pay it forward.  


Meimei will start attending the same school next year.