Tiny Tots Graduating ... what do YOU think?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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)

Iam64 it was a fabulous day, if somewhat wet as we had a fair amount of rain. GS was bathed and in bed by just after 6pm, with a story and many happy memories.

Our primary 7 pupils celebrated their move to secondary with a ceilidh and buffet. Smartly dressed but not ott and no 'graduation ceremony.'
I believe all these pseudo-graduations devalue the 'real thing'.
After 4 years of hard work at university will real graduands look on the ceremony as just another graduation in a long relatively meaningless line of them?

Sounds a happy occasion grannygravey ??????

They were given a certificate, a card signed by all their "teachers" with photos throughout their time at pre-school along with a memory stick containing all their art work and significant events/milestones achieved in a "book bag".

Oh come on, calling celebrations conspicuous consumption and making land fill is a tad puritanical and a lot Grumpy. Yes we consume too much and could all benefit from thinking on about changing our ways but let’s not turn into miserable bar stewards.

Not sure how 19 under fives lining up on a little stage after a day at a Farm Fun Park with parents and some grandparents and the younger children remaining in pre-school could be labelled "conspicuous consumption"?

Years ago when I worked in pre-schools and the children did not leave until they were 5 (plenty young enough IMO) we had a little ceremony where all the leavers were given a little certificate that had a poem printed on it and some painted hand prints. The first line was something like.....There used to be so many of my fingerprints to see....etc. It was very low key but rather sweet. The children were old enough to understand they were soon moving up to 'big school' and the whole thing did mean something to them.

Urmstongran we don't all agree that conspicuous consumption produces joy.

it's ridiculous, another expensive copycat idea from the US.

I bet they do get the sense of what it's all about. They will feel they have achieved, and it will encourage them on to the next stage.

Bless 'em all!

Well, I've still got sore misgivings (could probably get some cream for them)

And lots of joy Less! We might as well enjoy ourselves while we are here or what’s the point? There’s enough sadness, gloom and tragedy about. Let’s embrace the happy times whilst we can I say!

So we have ( not necessarily in order)

Engagement, minimoon,marriage, honeymoon,gender reveal party, baby shower, birth celebrations, Christening, Nursery graduation, Primary prom, Secondary prom, on and on it goes. Birthdays, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas.......

All creating mounds of landfill.

Your little DGD2 looks adorable, Alima. Happy little girl enjoying the day.

It’s a mini milestone and I think the tots just look very cute!
No expense involved and a nice way to give each child a small round of applause.
?

Pretty harmless for nursery tots. It's when they leave Primary School it's all gone a bit daft. An article in the paper today about an 11 year old with her £1000 prom dress/make up/hair etc etc.

These things start in a harmless enough way, but they gather momentum and end up becoming mass marketing opportunities, needing transport, outfits, presents, blah blah blah..

The leavers prom for those actually leaving school has reached epic proportions.