Going to Preschool

When we moved here, we hoped to be able to find some kind of preschool where Elias could go a few mornings a week in order to make friends and build social skills, as well as learn Turkish. We were so blessed to learn that some of the first American friends we made here have a 4.5-year-old son who goes to a preschool right around the corner from us! That sure simplified our school hunt - we definitely knew where to start looking!

We visited the school last week and met with the director, and it seems like it's going to be the perfect fit for Elias. Although they prefer having the children full-time, they agreed to let Elias come only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9-12:30. It is a Montessori preschool, so there is a lot of freedom for the children to choose their activities, and there is also a large emphasis on teaching the children independence, which Elias really needs! The school is completely Turkish language, but the director went to school in England, so her English is very good. I've heard at least a little English from some of the other teachers too. And of course, Elias has a friend in the older class who can be called upon for translation if needed!

The school's front door

So on Monday Elias and I went just for 1.5 hours, and I stayed with him in the classroom, but he did very well! He jumped right in and played, and he even participated as much as he could in some activities! The lady who is going to be his teacher doesn't speak any English, but she is so great with the kids, and Elias liked her right away.

We went back on Tuesday for another experimental day, and he just ran right into the classroom and joined in! He was so comfortable, they told me to stay in the office instead of in the classroom with him, and then they told me he was doing so well I could just leave and come back to get him after lunch! They had my cell phone and could call if things didn't go well, but they did! No phone calls; I just picked up one happy boy at 12:30!

Elias was tickled to find this "Welcome, Elias" sign on the front door when we got there the second day!

Then Wednesday I just took him and dropped him off, and went back again after lunch to pick him up. He did so great and I'm so proud of him! He really loves it, and I know this is going to be such a good thing for him!

It's about a 1 km walk to get to the school, which is a bit far to ask Elias to walk both there and back. What we've been doing is catching a minibus to take us there, then I walk home while he's at school. Then, I walk back to get him, and we both walk home together. As long as the weather holds, which it's been perfect this week, I think that'll work out well. Not only is Elias having a great time at school, but I'm getting some good exercise too! In fact, the road we walk down to get to his school has a dedicated walking/running track all the way down it, so this is what our walk to and from school looks like!

We sure are excited about this opportunity, and we are so pleased that Elias is doing so well after only 3 days there. We can't wait to see how he flourishes in this program! You can check out the English version of the school's website here.