Speaking of positive attributes, my wife and I, Nana and Papa, have been the recipients of all this fabulous four-year-old stage of development has to offer…from our granddaughter, Lily, now 4.9 years old.

Optimism isn’t a big enough word to hold the indomitable spirit of this child, but it communicates the idea. Every time we turn around or sit down there is a new personality or role standing, or dancing, before us. Doctor Lily, Nurse Lily (her mom is studying to be a nurse), Pharmacist Lily enters our living room with baskets or a baby carriage full of supplies to set up the hospital, office, or pharmacy, depending on…well, we’re not quite sure what the choices depend on. Dancer, queen, animal groomer, writer, scientist, gardener…the list goes on.

Lily’s imagination fuels her life, engages her mind, helps insulate her from rough patches, her older brother’s teasing (naturally), and other real-life disappointments and sadnesses. She is also blessed with a magical preschool environment in which she is able to explore who she is and is becoming. She explores in the mirror of her peers and in the company of careful, caring, and nurturing adults who open the door of learning each day with happy spirits and well planned schedules and activities.

We’re on the way to preschool, to preschool, to preschool
We’re on the way to preschool, to preschool today.
We’re driving up the mountain, the mountain, the mountain
We’re driving up the mountain, to preschool today.

Lily and I have made up these and a score of other verses that we sing together on the days I drive her to school. Oh, how to capture and bottle this enthusiasm for learning, as our children grow and develop! For Lily has not yet learned or heard that she is not capable in some area of learning. She sees herself as a writer and reader and scientist and healer. And she is. Just as for her fabulous four-year-old peers, the world awakes each morning especially for them, fresh and new and exciting.

Preschool is the first real “college”: “a group of people, usually of the same profession, who have agreed duties and rights” (Encarta Dictionary). Here’s my wish list for all “Colleges of Childhood”:

AGREED DUTIES

o Take turns as song leader,

snack passer-outer, partner

o Share

o Pick up

AGREED RIGHTS

o Safety

o Play

o Friendship

o Learning