Tiny Tots Graduating ... what do YOU think?

It’s a silly idea but I’m sure the children were absolutely fine and enjoyed putting on a funny hat - which theyd probably made in class, having a photo taken and some party food. I agree it’s a silly idea but I don’t believed for one moment that you need to feel sorry for the children - they weren’t out under any pressure, it’s a bit of fun although not my cup of tea.

Ridiculous probably an idea that has come over from America along with school proms

It seems a bit silly to me but if the kids enjoy it that's ok. I think the senior proms have gone OTT with people spending more and more on them, but the kids seem to love them. Sadly though ,some of them miss out because their parents can't afford to compete which is a shame
I really hope that the beauty pageants for kids don't become popular in this country though , I'm never convinced that those children enjoy it as much as their mothers

Isn't graduation supposed to mark and celebrate an academic achievement? And those who didn't achieve don't get gowned up to celebrate?

I can imagine some confused tinies wondering what exactly they've done to cause all this "celebration" and fuss, apart from showing up each day.

My dgs has just left infants and each child was presented with a certificate telling them 3 of the best things that their teachers will remember them for. I thought that was so lovely.

Why is it that, when some celebration is newly practised here, it's always "the Americans" who are held responsible? Why not blame ourselves for blindly copying without imagination?

In the Far East where education is paid for by the parents regardless of income (and therefore highly valued), graduation ceremonies for kindergarten children have been going on for at least since the 50s.

They don't have the tooth fairy there and I wonder how you'd feel if they expressed disgust and loathing at this "British import".

my great niece has just had her nursery graduation, I think it is a lovely idea. Her parents have both died, her mum last November age 30 and their dad in March this year age 32. I wish my niece and her husband had been there they would have been so proud of their little girl. My great niece her ambition is to be a sweet shop lady, it really made me smile.

sodapop
Oh, the trauma of our schooldays!!
One of our junior school teachers could throw pieces of chalk with surprising accuracy, usually missing our eyes.

Some of the Y6s have ambitions for careers which I had never heard of when I was 11. They are so much more aware of the world outside the classroom these days.

Gonegirl, what a really lovely photo of your GS - you must feel so proud.

Ceremonies to celebrate achievements are great at any age, but I prefer to see them carried out within the usual context and style of the school, rather than emulating the trappings of American culture.

I can imagine some confused tinies wondering what exactly they've done to cause all this "celebration" and fuss, apart from showing up each day.

I really don't understand this belief of some posters that they just show up each day!

The difference between 4 year olds starting in reception and the pupils leaving Y6 is amazing - both in academic achievement (whatever their level, and yes, they have all been assessed), their awareness of the world, their sporting prowess and their maturity.
The two children who received the excellent achievement awards at DGC's school were not the most academically or athletically brilliant - they were the two who have had the most difficulties to face in their lives. Everyone was so pleased for them.

Perhaps some think we should go back to the 'good old days' when children were seen and not heard.

Went to my Granddaughter's 'Graduation' for her sake!
But feel this whole thing is totally ridiculous.
Why when America is so far away do we feel the need to have to copy them? What's happening to our own British ways & customs??
Let's get back to them...

AS a retired Maintained Nursery School Headteacher I find this totally unsuitable for such young children. Yes endings are as important as beginnings but this conceptually is way beyond the understanding of 3,4 and 5 year olds. My questions to ask would be why? Who is this really for?

Handsome lad ?

This whole graduation, prom, thingy has got completely out of hand.

I do agree and think the prom thing has gone way over the top!!

Part of the ghastly ongoing Americanisation of this country. And as for Halloween and Prom Nights....

Proms have always been a part of school leaving in Germany. My husband has photos of his and he left school in 1968. He also has the Schultüte picture like the one that Mawbroon posted, which must date from about 1956 or 57.

However, as I said, the graduation ceremony at university is to this day unheard of here. None of my DS or DiLs got more than a letter in the post. And they had to provide the refreshments for a little stand-up celebration after they had presented their theses. (DS3 is still working on his, but we won't be going to Berlin when he's finished to see a handful of scruffy students eating sandwiches and drinking juice out of plastic mugs with their professors.)

We had a 'dance' but stretch limousines had not been invented then.
I went on the bus as we didn't have a car; it was the first time I had worn mascara!

In some authorities, pre-school and reception are combined as 'early years' - or that was the description when I was Chair of Governors of a primary school. They had their own playground, separated from the older children, and had a number of activities in common. So that made a smooth transition from one phase to the next. Children gradually became part of the school as a whole.
When I was at school, we were fortunate to have primary and secondary schools on the same campus and under the same head (Rector in Scotland). There was no great performance in going from one building to the next in which we had already had classes in needlework and PE.

my post: Sat 20-Jul-19 11:34:07

I should clarify - I was not a 'tot' or even leaving primary school!
I was 16 at the time.

We had a 'soiree' at our fast fading ex grammar (labour council had got rid) school the whole thing was excruciatingly embarrassing. We had had a few P.E. lessons where we had learnt things such as the Gay Gordons and the Valetta (?) and I had worn my first pair (at 16) of high heels. No this was not the 1930s....but late 1960s! We were so out of step with the world!

P.S. although it was a mixed school the P.E. lessons were single sex and as I had learnt the man's steps it was all a bit confusing!

I think we'll never agree on this one.

Clearly grandparents are split on this as on proms and everything else. I think it is the inward preparation for moving up to mainstream schooling that is important, not the "graduation" which personally I feel quite negative about. My grandson "graduated" this week and his other grandmother was extremely excited. My daughter-in-law had a new dress for the occasion. Professional photos could be bought too... I suppose it boosts retail spending at a time when we might need it!

Oh goodness! No new dresses here, it was just a lovely and very special assembly, moving up to senior school.

Perhaps this just reflects our attitudes to external recognition of our achievements?
I had no interest in my undergraduate congregation (but still went as it was important for my parents). It was quite an expensive event once you'd hired an outfit and all travelled back for the day, factoring in meals etc. It seemed pointless to me as I'd done all the work, knew my grades, had celebrated with my friends and felt it was just an unnecessary performance.
My daughters on the other hand all wanted to be at their congregations so we did go to those, however I didn't bother with my MA one as my parents had died by then!