Tiny Tots Graduating ... what do YOU think?

Utterly ridiculous....and in reply to Ilovecheese, I think it ridiculous for children to take part in nativity plays too. (as a complete non-believer, I think all religion is nonsense anyway)

I think it is all a bit of fun so long as it is kept simple. I hate the 'competition' of parents at some of these events especially Proms! I saw a dress on ebay that had been worn once for a Prom and they were selling it for £700!!!! ridiculous imo. (that too is a fairly recent concept adopted from America). All I remember from my younger days about proms is seeing teenagers on American films being devastated because they hadn't got a date lol. Gawd knows what would have happened at my all girls school! I thank the Lord that it wasn't there in my day nor my kids either for that matter.

As for the mini graduations? I do think it is a bit ott but not really harmful. I just wonder who exactly these events are for - parents or children? As you say most 3 year olds would not have a clue what it is about but may enjoy dressing up? I don't think there is any need to feel sorry for them.

Oh crumbs - another thread for “Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells” aka grumpy Grans to express their disgust about something entirely harmless, a little bit of fun and which our DGC enjoy.
Going from pre-school to “big school” IS a big deal and marked in different ways in different cultures. Mine was a German “Schultüte” on my first day at Primary School.
I dare say the cardboard and crepe paper went into landfill (or perhaps our atmosphere-polluting coal fire) - how shocking!
Lighten up, some Grans!

Quite often these are the occasions which parents and grandparents remember most, so I can't see it does any harm to have a celebration. The children are allowed to feel special for a moment and enjoy the occasion.

There's something to be said for living at a distance from the families. I don't have to attend these ceremonies but I do get the pictures. Yesterday I unearthed a photo of DGD2 in a red 'graduation' robe and cap at the end of pre-school. What a contrast with her prom outfit at the end of Y11. From cute to sophisticated in 12 years. Youngest DGS is having a leaving assembly (not graduation) from primary school next week and the other granny is having the privilege of attending. And I am not envious.

I don't think " stuff" makes anybody happy. I'm sorry, obviously everybody hates me but I don't like these Americanisms creeping in. Parents are under enough pressure.

There is something rather uncomfortable for me about seeing 3 year olds in gowns and mortar boards.

I'm not puritanical....let kids be kids and play in mud and climb trees , not be little mini adults.

Maw, your photo is lovely but they were simpler times. Each special occasion was indeed special because it stood out from the predictable every day life.

Landfill?

Ours made their own caps out of thick black paper.
That was it!!

Oops - they may have used some glue and/or staples.

Leaving primary to go on to secondary is a big deal and the more confident and happy they are to face this big step in their lives, the better, taking with them some lovely memories.

There is absolutely no need to go OTT - it's all to do with building confidence.

No need for the sarcasm, I'm not an eco warrior. Good for you if you enjoy.

How does putting a cap and gown on a 3 year old build confidence?

When did five year olds become “students”? They all seem to be students nowadays. To me, a student is someone who attends university or college. Everyone else is a scholar.??‍???‍?

i attended my grandsons leavers assembly yesterday, it was a lovely occasion,yes they had mortar boards on that they had made and were given a certificate. they were also told how much they were going to be missed when they moved over to reception. they did some singing and a photo screening was shown of them with a photo of when they started to them now. lots of tears. it was also a thank you for all the staff for all their hard work. i work with uni students and these little ones were certainly better behaved

Surely it is best to let your DC make these transitions with as little fuss as possible. They would be better just leaving nursery and starting school as if it is an everyday thing and not an event. Adds to anxieties in some children in my humble opinion. And this is the same for leaving primary and on to senior school, never mind proms, graduations etc etc. Just leave one and start another no biggie.

That's a good point Scentia. I hadn't thought of it in that way.

Well put Scentia.

Not sure about being stressful. At least they know and are made aware of changes. I was moved to a different school twice without being told about it and when I returned home from boarding school one Christmas, I was somewhat shocked to discover we'd moved house! No biggie said my parents. Hmm.

Well I took some lovely photos.
Had a lovely time.?
My grandson was presented with a certificate and a beautiful book, as were all the children.
Each book had a personal message inscribed by the head nursery teacher.

The only difference from 30 odd years ago was the little mortar board and beautful sash complete with year and school emblem.
Handmade by a clever nursery teacher.?‍?

I hope my three Grandson's will have lovely memories of nursery and school.

Bring back the dunce's cap, the knuckle rapping ruler and the blackboard eraser which I remember being thrown at unsuspecting pupils.
Those were the good old days indeed,

Sodapop?
Anyway. I enjoyed my little 3year old grandson's graduation....so cute with his cap and gown.....

minimoo , thanks for your input on the issue of transitions. Like you, I made a number of significant transitions with no preparation at all. School in one town today, school in a totally different town tomorrow, no biggy

It isn't about making a Big Deal of transitions, it's about not ignoring the fact they're going to happen. My 4 year old grandson is leaving pre school for Reception. There have been some lovely things in preparation, not least a key ring for each child, which includes their photograph and what they told Miss X they want to be when they grow up. Just a lovely, small gift as they leave pre school.
Two weeks ago when he spent some time in Reception he came home to tell his mummy 'I don't want to go to reception mummy, and if I don't like it, I'll just come home:" He's now looking forward to it. The preparation for the transition has been so sensitively and calmly managed -thanks to the staff.

How did children manage before such elaborate marking of transition? Probably just got on with it.

Why draw attention to it.....especially at 3?

My DGD had her last day at nursery today and has had 4 half days at her future school “getting to know” her classroom, her teacher and to make friends- some of whom are at her current nursery but nothing like all. I think as much is being done as possible to make this transition a smooth and happy one.
If she had a “graduation” ceremony today it will have been a sad occasion for her nanny whose last day it was too after I think 6 years with DD’s children. DD will herself have been at school, but perhaps Daddy was there to watch. One of the things non- teachers do not appreciate is that there is no flexibility to allow for attendance at other children’s activities such as Nativity plays or performances.

Lessismore, the point being made is that many children didn't 'just get on with it', they found it much more of a challenge than if transitions are properly prepared for. I'm not suggesting that graduation ceremonies for three year olds are essential of course, just that preparation helps

Where did 3 year olds come from, these are little ones who have been at nursery/pre school for 2 1/2 years so they are "rising 5s".

It is if you like a "closure" and moving on to big school, celebrating all their milestones and looking forward.

Having been to our ACs Graduation Ceremonies which are sooooo long, the GCs "fun graduations" are just that fun.

Is a 3 year old aware of the transition? I don't think so. Children live in the moment and are interested in all sorts of things.
We should not be foisting this nonsense onto them.

Look at Finland, they can start school at 7 and must start at 9.

3 was mentioned by the OP