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My Child’s Experience in Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)
I still remember my child’s first morning of VPK like it was yesterday. He was so excited to wear his backpack, even though it was still just a little too big for him. Though my child had attended this school since he was four months old, I still didn’t quite know what to expect from their VPK program. We were stepping into a brand-new chapter together. However, from the moment we arrived, and his new teachers greeted him with smiles and a huge “My First Day of Pre-K!” sign to hold, I knew my child was in the right space for this next stage in his learning journey.
As a parent, the VPK year always felt like a major milestone. To me, I could really see the difference between the younger classes and the structure of the VPK program. My child immediately learned things through hands-on activities and plenty of movement, and the teachers made learning fun and matched with his age. It was amazing to see his daily breakthroughs as he quickly learned how to write his name and recognize his sight words, as well as share, and listen to instructions.
From the very start, my child’s VPK teachers weren’t just educators- they were warm, nurturing leaders. My child came home every day talking about new songs he learned, classroom jobs that changed every week, letter sounds, art projects, and friends he was starting to make. But more than anything, he came home happy-and that mattered most to me.
Throughout the year, I watched my child grow. His vocabulary expanded and he began recognizing letters, writing his name more clearly, and proudly telling me what words rhymed with what and the math games, such as “math bingo.” But the growth wasn’t just academic- he became more confident and more independent, and learned how to take turns, follow routines, and be part of a classroom community.
There were hard days too-mornings with tired tears, emotional drop-offs, frustration over learning new things, and adjusting to a more rigorous school day then he was used to in the younger classrooms. But the support from his teachers made transitions smoother. They focused on progress over performance, and they made space for me as a parent-checking in, sending pictures and lesson plans through the classroom app, and reassuring me when I needed it most.
As the year came to a close, I realized we had both grown. It was clear that when my child walked out of the classroom during his last few weeks, he was ready for kindergarten. And I walked out more confident in my role as a parent. My child’s VPK program helped him take his first real steps into the world of learning. His teachers helped shape his year with kindness and patience.
If you are a parent of a four-year-old and want to have your child ready for kindergarten, enroll them in VPK! The supports provided by VPK teachers truly made a difference for our family, and it can make a difference for yours. For help with enrolling your child in a VPK program, visit us online at https://www.elcpalmbeach.org/vpk-families or give us a call at 561-514-3300.
