And, just like that, my seven-year-old entered second grade today.
My regular readers will recall that my wife and I were particularly nervous last year about her beginning first grade because she was one of three “new kids” in a class of thirty. The majority of the children in her class had been in preschool together and already formed relationships.
To be honest, our concerns were almost entirely unwarranted, as the school community, including the children’s families and faculty, proved to be incredibly warm and embracing. Also, our daughter has a high degree of self-confidence, which served her well as a newcomer last year.
Anyway, I mention this because a few of her classmates moved away at the end of first grade, leaving some spaces for new students; and, sure enough, there were two new girls in her second grade class today.
We’d spoken to her in advance about these prospective new students, telling her that she would have the opportunity this year to make a few new friends. I also reminded her that she had been a new student herself last year and could recall the challenges of joining a preexisting group of children.
She expressed her nervousness about beginning second grade, as one would have expected, but when I arrived to pick her up after the first day of school this afternoon, she immediately ran over to me, hugged me with excitement, and began telling me about the new friends she’d made. I actually had to calm her down to get her out of the classroom with all of her belongings.
All of this, of course, is quite wonderful.
I have to say that despite our daughter professing her anxiety about going into second grade, we’ve had completely different feelings surrounding this process than we did last year. Entering first grade meant going to a new school; and, perhaps more significantly, developing the discipline necessary to behave like a schoolchild, rather than a preschooler. Beginning one’s school years is a major event for any child.
Second grade isn’t like that all, really, especially at our child’s school because she has the same teacher and class. It won’t be until next year in third grade that the students get shuffled around into new classes with new teachers. And, of course, we’re already familiar with our school community; returning this year feels much like coming home.
The funny thing is that these feelings of normalcy and comfort are themselves a big deal. Last year, I felt anxious about my daughter’s acclimation to her new school and stage of childhood. This year, I have to get used to the idea that my little girl is no longer quite so little. She very much has come to relate to her school as a familiar, second home; and she’s already looking forward to all of her upcoming classes and school activities.
Tempus fugit cum non spectamus.
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
The image of your daughter running to you and throwing her arms around you, excited to share her day with you, is priceless! I’m so glad she’s adapted so well and so soon to school and makes friends so easily. That alone makes the whole educational experience a lot easier. When kids feel as though they belong, they don’t have to worry so much about the social aspects of school and can focus more on learning and thriving. It sounds to me like your daughter has a couple of good parents providing a great example for her to follow. ๐
๐๐๐ป Mike ๐๐ป๐
A joy to hear sheโs doing so well, David! Every blessing to her and her fine parents.
~Dora(h)
๐๐๐ป Dora ๐๐ป๐
โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ
๐๐๐ป Gabriela ๐๐ป๐
Iโm glad that she is setting in her new school
The great thing is that it no longer feels new to us ๐
I can understand
Tempus fugit et non revertitur (time flies and does not return)
๐๐๐ป Suzette ๐๐ป๐
Oh, to be in that youthful world again. I wish every blessing upon her head.
๐ค๐๐ป Annette ๐๐ป๐ค
Second grade is such a fun age/grade. Iโm glad all went well on the first day!
๐๐๐ป Merril ๐๐ป๐
Just as you say, whatโs old is new again. Second graders are amazing. They have the confidence they need because they understand the system. If they have friends and a teacher they can relate to, the world is amazing. Most all are readers and the idea that they have some autonomy in their learning is a boost to their happiness. Glad to hear the year is starting well.
๐๐๐ป Lauren ๐๐ป๐
Making new friends is always a concern. No matter if theyโre in school or college. A long way to go, David. Phew! ๐
๐๐๐ป Terveen ๐๐ป๐
Blink your eyes, and she will be all grown up.
๐๐๐ป Molly ๐๐ป๐
I think you need to form a view on the place just as she does. They won’t necessarily be the same.
In later years we had all sorts of grief, she fought with so-and-so, so-and-so teacher hated her… It was only because we had our own view of the school (it’s level of pastoral care was light years beyond anything I had experienced in my own education) that we were able to pinpoint the issues and try to solve them.
We do, no worries ๐๐ป
Children spend more time at school than at home so teachers take care.โค๏ธ
๐๐๐ป Jane ๐๐ป๐
โค๏ธโค๏ธ