Preschool graduation normally takes place in May or early June, following the completion of the final preschool school year. Typically, preschool graduation is held during the final week of school or on the final day of school, depending on the school's schedule. Children that participate in preschool graduation are usually 4 of 5 years old and will be entering kindergarten the following year.
A much scaled-down version of the distant high school graduation, preschool graduation is usually the first "formal" ceremony that children participate in. The children will be dressed in nice clothes and sometimes even wear small graduation gowns and caps. Preschool graduation is held in the school's auditorium or gymnasium and the school's principal and the teachers of all the graduating preschool classes will be present also. The children participating in the preschool graduation will line up according to a predetermined order, their names will be called, and they will walk across the stage, shake hands with the principal and teacher, and receive their preschool diplomas. Parents, grandparents and other close family and friends will be seated in the audience watching the ceremony.
While preschool graduation parties are not always held, they are a wonderful way to celebrate the achievement of the graduating children. Preschool graduation parties are either held at school following the ceremony or given at the home of one of the graduating preschoolers. School parties are typically held in the cafeteria or library and all of the graduation guests are welcome to attend following the ceremony. Child-friendly foods and a large cake are typically served. Preschool graduation parties thrown by parents may take place the day of the graduation or the following weekend. Parents invite family and their child's friends to celebrate the occasion.
In order to ensure that preschoolers are prepared for and understand the importance of their preschool graduation, teachers and parents should devote time leading up to the ceremony to teach children about the significance of preschool graduation. In school, teachers have students complete crafts associated with their graduation, which may include making their own graduation caps from posterboard or construction paper. Children can be taught graduation songs that focus on the idea of passage from one part of their education to another. Parents should express how proud they are of their children for nearing the end of preschool and discuss with their children what will happen during preschool graduation and what the events signify.
Family and friends may wish to give children gifts for their preschool graduation. Ideal preschool graduation gifts include items that will be of use to the child during summer vacation or the upcoming year in kindergarten. Typical gifts may include educational toys, backpacks, crayons and school supplies, clothing and preschool graduation remembrance items.