to have never seen a 'graduation' photo for pre-school before?

[TiaMariaandDietCoke]

Tonight a couple of old school firends have posted photos of their 4 yr old DCs who finished preschool today - in full graduation robes, mortar board and scroll. I was a bit and I have never seen or heard of this before - is this new? is it another Americanism brought over to the UK?

Before anyone asks, no, I'm not bothered by it, just very curious as to whether this is new or if I've had my head under a rock until now!

Cherie, can I not make the request?

sure, but you didn't expect it to WORK did you?
the only thing that does is moving along..

But ladyintheradiator the difference is that most of those are traditional children's activities.

It's just dressing-up clothes! And our kids loved the day!
They dreseed up, they sang, they talked about planets, the nursery manager handed them a "diploma' and then at the end they all threw the caps in the air.
Then we had a little party with cakes and drinks.
The thing with the degree is that it's a degree. When you go for a job, no-one will ask for a photo of you in cap and gown to prove that you have one. It's the actual piece of paper they gave you that day that any future employer is interested in.

Yes I know loads of preschools that do that. Its really quite sweet and the children love it.

Its not a big deal, its just them having fun and getting excited about going to big school. The children at my pre-school make the hats themselves and do a little concert for the parents. We have 80 odd children so we have 2 performances as there are about 200 parents that come to watch. The leavers wear brightly coloured gowns and get given a little certificate at the end.

We all cry and can't actually sing - its quite pathetic actually but we are very attached to the children!

I am going to have to name change again now as will out myself but last year we were so dramatic we actually sang and put together a 'dance' routine to 'So long farewell' from Sound of Music - some children did solos at the end and we were bawling! God that sounds quite bad now I have written it

I have read through my comments and am really struggling to see any that imply I have a chip on my shoulder. There is not even any horro. AllI have done is stated that I find it inappropriate and attempted to explain why. Some people seem to want a fight and are determined to have one.

Stealth I think some people have been a bit rude. You are entitled to your opinion and they are entitled to theirs without attacking you.

I can't really see the issue, they are not actually graduating or pretending to get a degree. They get a certificate which is just a keepsake and they will have no recollection of this day when they/if they do actually graduate from uni anyway. Each to their own but I am not sure it is particularly inappropriate as its completely harmless.

Thanks MrsS, just re-read my last post and am feeling like a bit of a needy drama queen. Please just ignore my rants and accept my apologies everyone but especially Pat and lady. They're not my thing, but everyone is different. And whoever said let's celebrate every stage and every milestone, big and small, you are right.

awww @ MrsSutherland!

I'll be very sad when DS is saying goodbye to some of the staff and friends at his!

To be honest, the saddest thing for me when ds4 was having his "graduation" was that dd didn't live long enough to have hers. So yes, celebrate every single milestone with your children because some of them never make those milestones.

"Seriously? You actually think that people will do four years of hard work at university, get to graduation and think "well this isn't exciting at all, dressing up for 30 seconds almost 2 decades ago totally ruined this as a novel experience for me".

Bonkers as conkers."

I totally agree, it's barmy

Aww Chipmonkey

Yes we should appreciate every moment with our children, no matter how "silly" we deem it.

Mine will have a ceremony but no gown. I am tearing up at the thought of it. They have so loved it there

I'm just glad that no one had thought of the idea when mine were little.

Headfirst, was there a need to continue to ridicule me after my apology, by repeating something I didn't actually say and calling me a term I have already said I am offended by?

I thought that StealthPolarBear gave a very gracious apology.
Everyone to their own, but I would avoid any place that did that with small children. We are all different.

Same as Exotic. It's hardly a very hardline opinion to have anyway, I can't believe the venom towards Stealth. Anyone would think she was advocating torturing kittens .

Torturing kittens, you say? Well, the children do like playing with kittens...We could take photos, raise money, etc, etc.

we had this and have the photo which is cute but i didn't quite get it though, graduating at 4! Didn't have to pay anything and the school just went ahead and did it. There was a ceremony but we missed that. Know of another school where they had a big dinner in a fancy hotel and mega bucks was spent. It's all very silly really and not really to be encouraged.

I'm not ridiculing anyone personally, I just find the general idea itself barmy and you weren't the only one to express that opinion (were you? )

I don't feel any venom towards anyone on here, I'm just amused by how seriously people are taking this, both for and against it. Much more seriously than the "graduating" children are :)

Please don't take my post seriously, it wasn't intended as such, apologies if I have upset you. Around here when people call each other bonkers/barmy it is meant affectionately :)

Too many "seriouslys" there

I would leave them to childhood and learning for fun-a scary thought that they are starting 17yrs of education to get the 'real' thing!!