Let Them Be Little

Today my older preschoolers "graduated" to kindergarten. It was a very exciting and emotional day for all of us! I've had some of these students in my class for a couple of years now and have had the amazing privilege of watching them grow and develop during what I feel is such an important developmental stage in their lives. I remember some of them crying and clinging to their mother's legs on the very first day of school (and every day for a week thereafter for some). And today as I watched them during their graduation program, I was amazed to see and really refelct on how much they've grown and learned!


Every year, when I welcome the parents to the graduation celebration, I thank them for allowing me the opportunity to work with their children and for allowing me to be a part of their child's life. Not only do they teach me new things every day, but I also think it's very important that the parents know that their child is special to me. And although their children come to me to receive a special education services, I feel like as a parent, there must be a tremendous amount of apprehension when entrusting the care and education of your child to another person, whom you barely even know. And during this year's graduation, I felt even more passionate about this because I was thinking of my Jaden. I know he's not in school yet, but it won't be long before I am dropping him off at preschool (wiping the tears away just thinking about it) and I definitely want to know that he is being cared for and is being provided the best education possible while I am not with him, which is the reassurance I try to give to my preschool parents.

Now that Jaden is almost preschool-age, I relate everything that I do at school to him. I take home songs, games, activities, books, even instruments for him to try, and he loves it. He's definitely like a sponge, soaking it all up! We have our own little preschool at home. And although I love for him to have these new learning experiences, I also don't want to rush things because he is still little and won't be for long. The most important thing that I remind myself, as I do for the parents at every preschool graduation, is to "let them be little." Every year, I play a recording of the Billy Dean song Let Them Be Little. The lyrics are so powerful and true...

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me you're changin' with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

So let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

I never felt so much in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, your prayers an' your wishes.
And now you're teachin' me how only a child can see.
Tonight, while we're on our knees, all I ask is:

Please, let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

The so innocent, precious soul:
You turn around, and it's time to let them go.

So let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give 'em praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let them sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

Let them be little.