Halloween, preschool style.

Preschool Halloween parade. Parents rush in right before with siblings in tow. Undressing and dressing commence. Little ones cry or stomp, refuse to wear some part of their costume. Parents coax, cajole, praise. Everyone is taking pictures, even we teachers. How many pictures do I have of four year olds in Halloween costumes from twenty years of teaching?

We walk in a line down to the school office for our first "treat", an apple, then on to the church office for our second treat, a pencil. Then down to the Social Hall for a few more, only one of which is actual candy. We dance one teacher's favorite, The Chicken Dance. Next we dance to mine, Ghostbusters. I secretly think my choice is much more fun. The children seem to agree. The princesses (they are all princesses this year) grab each others' hands and circle, giggling. The boys bob up and down, not too sure Batman or Spiderman would be caught doing something so undignified. Not everyone dances. Some are already crying, over-excited, over-whelmed, over-the-top. We march back to the room so the families can gather their belongings. More pictures, and one in particular seems to say it all. A little girl may be a little girl, but on Halloween she can be whoever she pleases. And this pleases her immensely.

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Comments

Anonymous said…
I enjoyed reading your Halloween piece and especially seeing the picture of my grandaughter in her Snow White costume. You write very well---ever considered writing books, especially children's books considering your education and experience?
November 8, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Gail Multop said…
I'm so happy the post was a treat for you and your family! I can't tell you how delighted I was. I have had a hankering to write since I was 7, but have never published. Just graduate school papers, a blog and a journal. But how sweet of you to ask! Thanks.
November 26, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Gail Multop said…
P.S. Your grandaughter is a special little girl!
November 26, 2009 at 11:27 AM
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