Isaac the Preschooler

 Isaac has gone to preschool 2 days now. We can't really tell if he has fun because he's not that great at describing what goes on. He's tired by 12Noon and just kinda wants and needs a sandwich and a nap by then.  So tomorrow I'm going to stay for awhile in the morning to watch him in action.  He goes from 8-12, 5 days a week.

(the first and second pictures crack me up. Isaac was a bit overwhelmed- it was raining too- when we first arrived, hence the first picture. Then one of the teachers off to the left showed him how to take a proper picture...photo below. Our little Asian.

We looked at several schools before choosing this one. Some were near where we're taking language class (30 min from our house, over the big hill on the island) but the one we chose is only 5 minutes from our house. Most preschools here are simply townhouses converted into preschools. Usually they are in the end-unit of a row of houses so that there is a big play yard. Isaac's school is actually 1 of 2 on the short little street it's located on. The one on the end just didn't seem to have it together. When we knocked on the gate to Isaac's school "Melodi" preschool, they invited me in and asked me to wash my hands upon entering. Check.

After walking past the covered play yard (check), I was greeted by this well decorated wall upon entering the building (check).

The principal was so on top of things. Compared to the other schools she seemed to know what parents (should) really want in a preschool environment. Unlike the other preschools we looked at, I didn't have to explain to her why I wanted my son to learn another language (particularly Mandarin) other than English.  While English is mostly spoken there, the teachers are all Chinese and I've asked them to speak Mandarin with Isaac as much as possible.  On top of that, when interviewing the principal she whipped out several flash cards with Mandarin symbols on them saying that the kids would learn those words- to speak them, to recognize the character, and to hear it. She then said, "Since your son already speaks English, if he can learn Mandarin, he will be able to speak to nearly the whole world." (check) Well said Ms. Principal.

Though, one down side (after only 2 days!) is that the quality of English spoken isn't quite up to par. Tonight at dinner Isaiah turned over an empty cup. Isaac's comment was, "It didn't spill because it wasn't full up." Anthony and I looked at each other then both commented on how Chin-glish it sounded. Eh, ya win some you lose some.

Overall we think it's going good- especially as Isaac hasn't said that he doesn't want to go. More pictures and video to come (I'm sure).