sample graduation speech for preschool

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Preschool Graduation Speech Ideas

It's the moment many teachers dread: Coming up with a preschool graduation speech .... (queue in horror film music here).

Fears of being unprepared and stammering fill our heads, anxiety may set in and many think,

"I am NOT a public speaker! I HATE public speaking! I am a preschool teacher! I LOVE teaching preschool!"

Take a breath.... really! Remember your 'Why'...why you are planning preschool graduation ideas in the first place: It is to celebrate the children and their year!

Giving a preschool graduation speech is also an opportunity to publicly thank your families for sharing and entrusting their child(ren) with you.

In addition, it is an opportunity to thank staff such as the director, co-teachers, support staff and volunteers.

As you are thinking of what to say, who to acknowledge and how long to take remember this one, important factor: This is not a keynote speech for college! Let's say it again: It is a preschool graduation speech!

This is preschool! Yes, your students may be going off to kindergarten or moving up to Prek, but, it is still preschool! BE YOURSELF !

That, after all, is why parents entrusted the children in your program's care to begin with!

Don't put pressure on yourself to be "formal"...instead.... put pressure on yourself to be "you"! Or, in the words of Dr. Seuss:

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

There....feel better? This is a fun day and your preschool graduation speech ideas should keep that fact in mind! :)

Well, one more fact to keep in mind. Because this is Preschool Graduation, that means the preschoolers are sitting there......waiting.......excited......nervous......poking their friend beside them!

And, they are.... brace yourself.... I KNOW you've worked all year on this.......but......get ready........

They are NOT LISTENING TO YOU when you give your speech!

Phew, there, I've said it! So, this speech is not for them--even if you address the children in this preschool graduation speech (And no, I don't mean saying something like "And this year we have ALL learned to LISTEN WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS TALKING, haven't we Cheryl?")

What I mean is that while you are presenting your speech they sometimes hear.... well, here is my point when it comes to preschoolers and speeches:

You KNOW that is what they are hearing! When you are giving your preschool graduation speech, be sure to have 1 or 2 adults sitting with the children to redirect them during this time! That's all I'm saying!

There are many types of preschool graduation speeches. You might give an actual speech, read a story or show a DVD of the children!

As I said earlier, remember to just be you!

Here are a few ideas for speeches.

Feel free to use these and modify as you need to for your own program!

A "Welcoming" Preschool Graduation Speech Idea

Preschool graduation speech idea #1 traditional speech.

written by me, Miss Cheryl, at Preschool Plan It

This is the typical speech or welcoming speech I give. It includes a thank you and accolades to staff and introduces the stars: The Preschoolers!

"Hi everyone! Thank you so much for coming! We are SO excited about today, aren't we boys and girls??!!!

Today is a very special day. Today we celebrate YOUR children's life and times in preschool!

It's hard for many of you to believe that the time has come for child or children.... your babies, are beginning kindergarten isn't it?

When your children first started preschool-there was much separation anxiety. The beginning of a new school year is like that for children...and for parents!

The beginning of the school year was a time of building trust with the children......and with you. It was a time of building relationships together and creating a team with one shared goal: Providing your children with what they needed to develop and grow as preschoolers.

That trust was built, relationships and teams create. We moved through the year--as a team--growing and learning and building a foundation your children will bring with them to Kindergarten.

And now, it is very hard for US to believe your children are leaving us! You have entrusted the most important thing in your lives to us--your child. We can't tell you how much we appreciate that trust!

We thank you for sharing your children with us. We thank you for allowing us to be part of your family during this time.

And now, it is the end of the year. It is time for your children to move on and, Guess what? It is us.... the teachers...who have separation anxiety. We will miss your children more than you know. But, we smile through the goodbye tears because we are so grateful to have been part of their lives and your family during this time.

And, I want to thank the teachers today. Thank you for your dedication to the children and their families. Thank you for your thoughtful planning and time invested in the lives of each and every one of these children! There was a poem written by Forest Witcraft that talks about teachers and it definitely applies to the teachers, support staff and volunteers here today:

One hundred years from now

It won't matter

What kind of car I drove

What kind of house I lived in

How much money I had in the bank

Nor what my cloths looked like

The world may be a little better

Because, I was important

In the life of a child.

And you were. You were important to each and every one of these children. Thank you.

And now, the children are very excited to get this party started, right? Okay, let's hand over the program to the children!"

Here is when your children might sing their songs or do their play they have been practicing!

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #2 Laugh and Be All You Can Be

Here is another you can use and modify to meet your program's needs. It is from StudyMode

"We are here today for "ABC Preschool's Graduation Ceremony. This is a momentous occasion in the lives of all the children.

It is also a time to recognize the outstanding work of the staff here and the parents of the students.

Just looking around, the happy smiling faces says so much about the environment here at ABC Preschool. Our children have learned so much. The school places great value on community, learning and fun.

I am proud of the way the children love coming here to school and look forward to what they learn. Seeing the big smiles on their faces in the morning is fantastic. They have learned to love learning and that skill will help them so much as they progress with their education.

Life is not just about learning to read and write. They are important, but just as important is love and friendship.

This school places great emphasis on being part of the community. This is a lifelong skill which will help all of us flourish.

It may seem slightly old-fashioned, but a sense of community to me is very important to the future of our nation and our children.

So, thank you to the other teachers here, the love you have for the children shines through in their results. Thank you to all the parents who have willingly given their time volunteering here, and who have raised such wonderful children!

Looking ahead, our children are very well-equipped to take on the next part of their educational lives. They have strong foundations and we feel very confident that we have given the children a great start in life. They have learned many priceless lessons.

So, children: Take on challenges, be loving, love learning, be part of the community, laugh and be all you can be.

Thank you."

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #3: We Give You Child Back Now

This preschool graduation speech is called We Give Your Child Back Now (author unknown)

Dear Parents,

We give you back your child, the same child you confidently entrusted to our care last fall. We give him back pounds heavier, inches taller, months wiser, more responsible, and more mature then he was then.

Although she would have attained her growth despite us, it has been our pleasure and privilege to watch her personality unfold day by day and marvel at this splendid miracle of development.

I give him back reluctantly, for having spent nine months together in the narrow confines of a crowded classroom, we have grown close, have become a part of each other, and we shall always retain a little of each other.

We have lived, loved, laughed, played, studied, learned, and enriched our lives together this year. I wish it could go on indefinitely, but give him back we must. Take care of him, for he is precious.

Remember that we shall always be interested in your child and his destiny, wherever he goes, whatever he does, whoever he becomes. His joys and sorrows we will always be happy to share.

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #4: Read a Story INSTEAD of A Preschool Graduation Speech!

Yes! Have the children gather on the floor in front of you, like a final Circle Time or Story Time! Wear a microphone so the families can hear it as well.

A perennial favorite, Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise graduation speech is the perfect send-off for children starting out in the world, be they nursery school, high school, or college grads!

From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within.

In a starred review, Booklist notes: “Seuss’s message is simple but never sappy: life may be a ‘Great Balancing Act,’ but through it all ‘There’s fun to be done.’”

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #5: Growing Up

For a few weeks before graduation, talk with your preschoolers about one of their favorite things or memories about preschool! Write them down.

Examples:

Cheryl remembers the day we brought snow inside to play with.
Joey remembers being Superman with John and how they saved the dolls from the bad guy.
Give each youngster an opportunity to share one fond memory of this school year and one hope for the coming year. Be sure to write down one of your own as well!

Preschool Graduation Speech #6: Moving On

Here's another story instead of a speech idea! Again, w ear a microphone so the families can hear it as well.

A House for Hermit Crab

In this adorable story, the young crab is growing up. It outgrows its home (shell) and moves into another one. After reading the story, tell the children and families, the children have much in common with the crab:

They are also growing up! They are moving on.... into a new phase of school--kindergarten (or Prek), though we will remember the fun we had in preschool!

At this point, use the information you gathered over the past few weeks about each child's favorite memory of preschool! Have each child stand up and share their favorite memory or you can share it for them!

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #7: Our Year in Review: A DVD Viewing

In lieu of a long preschool graduation speech, show a DVD montauge of the children's year.

This was a hit every single year! It was started by my mentor, Miss Peggy and I continued the tradition!

Give a short speech, thanking the parents and staff and then show the DVD in lieu of your speech!

Say something like:

"Welcome to your children's preschool graduation ceremony! We thank you so much for sharing your children with us and entrusting them to us. They have learned and grown so much during this time!

The children have a few surprises for you! They want to ___________ (sing a few songs, fingerplays, act out a play---fill in the blank for your program details). But first, we have a surprise for you!

Rather than tell you what your children have done all year, we want to show you and reminisce with you! Enjoy!"

Invite the children to come sit down near the front so they can see also!

Play the DVD!

Creating the DVD in lieu of a preschool graduation speech for the above idea:

This takes some time but is WORTH it! If you begin saving digital pictures of the children at the beginning of the year, the process is quicker! If you are putting it together later in the year, it will just take more time to go through your photos!

Here are the steps. (numbered)

1. Choose 1 photo of each child where JUST THAT CHILD is in the photo. Use your software (I use Microsoft Paint or PowerPoint) to place their first name on the photo.

2. Choose 4-5 more pictures of EACH child. Have 3-4 of these photos showing the child participating in a small or large group activity. Have 1-2 more individual photos of that child (perhaps of them reading a book, painting, playing outside, etc.).

3. Upload the photos into a DVD maker program. There is probably one on your computer that you didn't even know about! ;) I use Windows Live Movie Maker.

4. Be sure the individual children's photos are the first ones in the program!

5. Create an introduction frame in the program such as "ABC Preschool Class of 20XX".

6. Choose 2 songs to play as background and upload them.

We have used 1 song that is sure to make the parents weep.... yes, that IS our goal! And one song that was a favorite in the classroom this year.

Children and adults alike laugh and giggle and LOVE this DVD.

If you are able, make copies for each family as a gift!

I recently had two different parents message me on the Preschool Plan It Facebook page (be sure to head over and like that page, by the way!), to tell me they just watched their preschool DVD and were thinking of us (and these children graduated preschool 5 years ago)!

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #8: Speeches from the Preschoolers!

Preschool Graduation Speeches by...... The Preschoolers? Why not?!

I have heard of some programs scheduling time for speeches from their preschoolers. This can be difficult it is a huge, public "TELL" portion of a Show and Tell. It can be nerve-wracking for them. But, it can also be fun if brief and a fun question!

You just never know what they will say! Once idea would be to ask the children what they want to be when they grow up! Don't wait until graduation day to spring this question on them! Give them time to think about it. Ask it a few times in the weeks before graduation.

Here is an example of one that was found on YouTube (not my program) that I think is so adorable!

Ending Your Preschool Graduation Speech

At the end of the program you might give another, VERY BRIEF, closing speech. Keep it more like an announcement at this point! The children are excited and want to be with their families now!

"This concludes our Preschool Graduation Ceremony! Please, please join us for refreshments and hugs in the _________ (list the place). Thank you again for sharing your children with us!

I hope you enjoyed these preschool graduation speech ideas and they have helped you get started on your decision for preschool graduation day! Do you have one or more speech or speech related idea you'd like to share?

More Preschool Graduation Ideas

Here are several more of my pages and articles to help you plan your Preschool Graduation that you might find helpful!

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Graduation Speech [20 Examples + Template]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Being selected as a commencement speaker is a great recognition, but the responsibility can be intimidating. How do you know what kind of message will hit home for the graduates at this point in their lives? How do you make your message stand out from other words of wisdom that the graduating class has heard before?

Fortunately, there are many incredible graduation speeches from which you can pull information. We’ve gathered 15 of the best graduation speech examples here to make your research and brainstorming process easier. A little studying can give you ideas for the perfect graduation speech topic and help you write your speech efficiently.

In this article:

Graduation Speech Examples

Graduation speech template.

Take note of the flow and structure of the examples, and let them guide you in creating your own graduation speech outline. Remember to practice your speech and memorize the bulk of it so you’re able to deliver with confidence. With a strong theme and plenty of practice, you’re sure to gain the audience’s attention and leave them inspired.

Here are 15 free graduation speech examples to gain inspiration from. If you like a style or message of a sample speech, use it as a model to create your own original version.

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1. Funny Valedictorian Speech

This valedictorian entertains the audience of his high school graduation speech with subtle, kind-hearted jokes that reflect the graduating class and the school faculty. The graduation speaker has a sentimental theme to his speech, but his light humor ensures that the presentation is both meaningful and memorable.

“You see, this is not goodbye. This is see you in two to 10 years when I’m significantly smarter, wealthier, funnier, and more handsome than I am right now.”

2. College Graduation Speech Example: Conan O’Brien at Dartmouth College

You don’t have to be a famous comedian to deliver a funny graduation speech, but let Conan O’Brien’s speech at Dartmouth College serve as a good model to create your own. Intertwining life advice and great jokes, O’Brien inspires graduates to get past failure and pave their own paths.

“Today I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment, you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.”

3. Preschool Graduation Speech

This preschool graduation speech is a great example for teachers who need to give a commencement address. A speech for a preschool or kindergarten graduation is different, in that the speaker is mostly communicating to the parents of the graduates. This preschool teacher delivers a meaningful speech that explains the joy in her job, while touching on the humorous things the students have said over the months.

“Tomorrow I give you back your child, the same child you entrusted in my care last fall, except now I give them back to you pounds heavier, inches taller… I give them back to you a little smarter, a little more mature, and a little more responsible than they were 10 months ago.”

4. David Foster Wallace Kenyon College Commencement Speech

In what is recognized as one of the best graduation speeches of all time, David Foster Wallace affirms to a class of liberal arts students that their education taught them how to think and how to be self-aware.

“The only thing that’s capital-T True is that you get to decide how you’re gonna try to see it. This, I submit, is the freedom of a real education, of learning how to be well-adjusted. You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn’t. You get to decide what to worship.”

5. Middle School Graduation Speech

A class president delivers a heartwarming message in a storytelling format at his middle school graduation ceremony.

“Once upon a time, three long years ago, a journey began. We were obedient little munchkins, climbing up stairs meant for giants, carrying heavy backpacks filled with every sort of colored pencil existing on this earth.”

6. University of Wisconsin-Madison Commencement Speech 2017

Steven Levitan, creator of the award-winning show “Modern Family,” was the commencement speaker at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the graduating class of 2017. This is a good example to follow if you’re an alum of the college you’re presenting to.

“It’s hard to believe I graduated here 33 years ago. I still have the official university photo of me receiving my diploma wearing only shorts under my cap and gown and holding a big bottle of champagne, as if to say, ‘Hey world, lower your expectations.'”

7. Mark Zuckerberg’s Harvard University Commencement Speech

Successful people are often chosen as commencement speakers for university graduation ceremonies. See how the CEO and founder of Facebook is able to portray humility in relating to the 2017 graduating class at Harvard University.

“I’m honored to be with you today because, let’s face it, you accomplished something I never could. If I get through this speech, it’ll be the first time I actually finish something at Harvard. Class of 2017, congratulations!”

8. Al Roker’s Commencement Speech at Champlain College

Upon receiving his doctorate degree of humane letters, the “Today Show” weather anchor delivered an inspirational speech to the graduating class. Roker speaks to the class’s generation and relates his graduation speech topic back to his own upbringing.

“Be in the moment. Stop living through your screen. Experience it now.”

9. Steve Jobs’ Commencement Speech at Stanford University

The Apple CEO’s commencement speech at 2005 to the graduating class at Stanford University is one of the classics. Jobs tells stories about his own experiences with dropping out of college, being fired from Apple, and being diagnosed with cancer.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of the other opinion drown out your own inner voice. And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

10. Elementary School Graduation Speech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVOQVsbkmbM

This fifth-grade class speaker relates her teacher’s message to a lesson from her grandfather as her opening hook .

“To survive the fifth grade is not barely making it through. Instead, to survive means to perform with distinction.

11. Ellen Degeneres Commencement Speech at Tulane University

The famous talk show host and comedian Ellen Degeneres’s commencement speech at Tulane University is a great example of how a guest speaker can identify with her audience.

“It was so important for me to lose everything because I found what the most important thing is. The most important thing is to be true to yourself.”

12. University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address

Rear Admiral William H. McRaven aims to inspire his audience right from the beginning. The rear admiral encourages the graduating class to change the world, relating everyday life struggles to those of the people in the military.

“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

13. Matthew McConaughey Commencement Speech

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey drew from his own personal story to deliver an inspirational commencement speech at the University of Houston. McConaughey gives the graduating class 13 life lessons, including to define success for yourself and find joy in your work.

“Prioritize who you are and who you want to be. Don’t spend time with anything that antagonizes your character.”

14. Commencement Address by Jim Carrey

In his commencement address at Maharishi University of Management, actor Jim Carrey tells an emotional personal story. Carrey uses emotion to encourage the graduating class to walk their own path and never settle in life.

“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.”

15. Stephen Colbert’s Commencement Speech at Wake Forest University

The famous comedian delivers a witty and funny graduation speech, offering students practical advice for the real world.

“And if there’s one thing you need even more, it’s your own set of standards. It may seem counterintuitive now, but once you leave here, you may miss being graded on all your work. Because when you’re out of school, there are no objective criteria for achievement anymore.”

16. Inspiring Graduation Speech

In this remarkable graduation speech, the class valedictorian makes a political statement by publicly revealing her status as an undocumented immigrant. The speech starts out with jokes, but turns into a moving performance that’s as powerful as it is fun to watch.

“To each and every single one of you, I say thank you. You taught me that it’s okay to be different and that there will always be people willing to overlook those differences and accept you for being yourself.”

17. Funny Graduation Speech

This class-elected graduation speaker has the perfect delivery of well-crafted jokes and one-liners throughout her speech. She keeps the whole class laughing and never misses a beat.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to pursuing an additional 4-year education – which I can’t afford.”

18. Moving Graduation Speech

This college graduation speech educates listeners about women’s education through the eyes of the speaker, who encountered resistance to seeking an education just because she was a woman. It’s nearly impossible to listen to this speech without feeling moved to take action.

“I couldn’t have imagined attending college, simply because we weren’t allowed to. My sisters weren’t allowed to; the girls before me weren’t allowed to.”

19. Funny Graduation Speech

This graduation speech by the senior class president is humorous and engaging. The class president reminisces with plenty of jokes in a speech full of fun memories and just the right amount of inspiration.

“I know we can all agree that this class is resilient. We survived an earthquake, two blackouts, and Ebola.”

20. Short Graduation Speech

Graduation ceremonies can be long, but the speeches don’t have to be. This short graduation speech uses an “ABCs of life” format to pack a lot of power into a short amount of time. The class president gets wild applause from the audience for his quick but clever speech.

“We must Q – quit quitting, and R – run the race with patience.”

Thank teachers and your parents or other family members for their support, encouragement, help, aid or personal assistance during your years of studying.
Praise accomplishments and achievements of the class.
Reflect upon the past years, what has changed and is interesting enough to share with all?
Mention funny and exciting events, you can opt for funny oneliners or even small innocent jokes, poems or quotations from famous people if you like.
Motivate your fellow students and teachers and professors to look to the bright future:
I continue with the 10 most wanted and popular graduation speech topics:
Give advice, but avoid boring cliches that are totally not surprising.
Entertain by telling humorous anecdotes and vivid stories. Offer an account of an interesting or humorous incident.
Express the feelings of the class. But do not go over the top.
Say farewell to all attendees. This acknowledgment at parting is the warming-up for the next and final step
Wish the graduates of your class all the best and thank them for listening.

Don’t forget to:

Thank the parents and family. Have your class honor them with applause. Not only have they made sure you showed up to school, there’s a host of other responsibilities that parents have sacrificed to accomplish for you. Now is your moment to focus on them for a minute or so.

Thank the teachers and administrators. Each teacher or professor works many long hours that you don’t see in the classroom, and many have poured their hearts and lives into teaching. Take this moment to make it worth it for them.

Use some of my vote of thanks example expressions to feed you imagination for topics for graduation speech a little bit.

Make the address personal. When you decide to make your graduation speech personal, you will experience much bigger success. It will also be more fun to write and deliver a talk that brings high school or college to a close with recognition of the small things in education life. The memories you will run across looking through yearbooks and talking about with friends will be priceless for you as well.

Calm the nerves. It is very intimidating to address hundreds of people in the audience while delivering a graduation speech. Many of us have fear of public speaking. Before you proceed, do this test. And practice the tips.

Consider including:

STORIES Include stories about your school. These high school graduation speech topics can be about teachers and funny things that have happened over the year.

EVENTS Include motivational or moving events that may have happened – perhaps volunteer opportunities that have changed the students’ perspective. Make sure that any major events that have happened are recognized.

Sports and music events that have been important to the school need to be recognized, even if it happened in one of the prior years of your class and not the graduating year.

CLASS EXPERIENCE Bring the class experience alive for those attending the graduation. Grandparents and parents, as well as siblings, have heard the names from school.

Bring the people to the campus life that they have heard about.

DECEASED If a fellow student or teacher has died, mention that person. Make it not a funeral obituary eulogy but recognize them for the family who might be present.

PROJECTS Mention any projects that the school has undertaken; if you have been involved in a community garden or other volunteer organization give credit for the impact it has made.

Pet Peeve Speech Topics

Commemorative Speech

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Messes Can Always Be Cleaned Up — A Preschool Graduation Commencement Address

A preschool child sitting in front of a chalkboard full of question marks looking at a book through ...

Graduates, we gather today to celebrate your years of hard work and dedication. It was a long road that got you here, to this moment, and no, you cannot hit one another with your hats.

Graduation means you’ve made it through preschool, and in just a couple months, you’ll be real kindergartners. You’ll face many challenges, perhaps some setbacks. You’ll need resilience and grit to succeed in elementary school, but you’ve all got what it takes.

Some of the biggest lessons you’ll learn in school will be in the cafeteria and on the playground, not in your classrooms. I’m not talking about things like don’t buy lunch on sloppy joe day, or that when it’s sunny outside the handles on the monkey bars get really hot, although those are obviously important things to know. What I mean is that you’ll learn a lot from other children, and if they’re lucky, they’ll learn from you too.

On the first day of school, find the kid who’s sitting by himself in the lunchroom. Look for the little girl who’s crying for her mom in the mornings. See the student who’s standing alone on the playground while the other kids play zombies vs. werewolves. Be their friend. Sit down next to them, tell them it’s going to be okay, then reach out your hand and ask them if they want to play with you. Tell your friends to do the same thing.

You’ll need to stand up for people. If you see someone being mean, stop them. Tell them we don’t treat each other that way because it’s way more fun when we can all play and be friends. The world needs people who stop others from being mean. You can be those people! Make that your job right now. You are the ones who make everyone be nice.

Always remember that the coolest kids are the ones who are different. How neat is it that no one looks alike, sounds alike, or even thinks alike? If another boy or girl is interested in something you think is a little weird, or maybe even kind of scary, be brave and ask them about it. Get excited with them. Make sure you always take the time to learn about new things and people with different lives than yours. It’s actually really fun to be friends with people who aren’t exactly like us.

You can be different too. You don’t have to wear the same clothes, eat the same foods, or enjoy the same movies, TV shows, or characters as everybody else. We all get to like our own stuff. Even better? We can all look however we want. Check it out: We’ve got a body and a life, and we can do so many fun things with them. We can be whatever we want!

Be a helper. The world needs helpers right now, and it doesn’t matter that you’re only 5 or 6. Children can help too. You guys matter, and you can make a difference. If someone falls and skins their knee, go over and make sure they’re okay. When a friend can’t carry his heavy backpack, go over and give a hand. Wipe down the board for your teacher. If another child is sad, ask her if she needs a hug, and share a toy or a book. Tell her you care about her. Doing stuff like that is a much bigger deal than making it to the third-grade reading group way ahead of schedule — trust me.

You don’t have to decide what you want to be when you grow up right now. Don’t worry about that. Grownups will ask you what you want to be all the time, but that’s because they can’t think of anything else to say to children. You shouldn’t be thinking about a job you might have in 16 years. Your work right now is to play. It’s to explore and build things and take things apart just so you can see exactly how they’re put together. Mess with things. Make up stories and act them out. Have adventures.

When you are a grownup, you might have to wear a uniform or a suit. You might have to cut your hair a certain way, or you might not be able to get away with wearing a tiara on an everyday basis. Wear silly costumes now. Play dress up. Put on wacky leggings with light-up shoes and a top covered in glitter. Top the whole thing off with a unicorn horn and a rainbow crown. It’s okay to dress as wild as you want . Have fun with that.

Guess what else you should have fun with? Creating. You don’t have to make a brown horse if you think it would be cooler in sparkle aqua. Make all kinds of things — real life things that we can hold and touch and turn upside down. Get out the glue, the stapler, the scissors (ask your parents first), and go to town. Build stuff.

You’re going to learn to read and to write. You’ll do math problems and learn about Colonial times. Some of you may take a little longer to get it than others, but that doesn’t matter. In just a few years, your brains will be filled with facts. You’ll learn all sorts of new skills. It’s going to happen, so think of school as an adventure you get to go on every day, and try not to be too hard on yourselves.

We grownups don’t expect you to be perfect. If you mess up, or make a mistake, or even get into a little trouble, understand that is how you’ll learn and keep learning. You know how if you make a big mess, if you work together you can always get it all cleaned up? Well, life is like that too. Messes can always be cleaned up. Most of the time you’ll get another turn. If you don’t get the part you wanted in the class play, be super happy for the student who did, and know that your time will come too. We all get disappointed, and we all get a chance to shine.

Good luck, graduating preschoolers! We are so very proud of each and every one of you.

This article was originally published on June 9, 2017

How to Host a Memorable Preschool Graduation

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Preschool graduation is an essential milestone in a child's life. Graduating from preschool means a child is one step closer to starting kindergarten, which is a significant accomplishment. It's also a time for families to celebrate how far their child has come.

Preschool graduations give children a chance to show off the skills they have learned in the past year. Families get the opportunity to experience first-hand what their child has achieved throughout their time at preschool.

Preschool graduation is a special day and there are a lot of things to consider when planning this event. This guide offers a few ideas to help make the day memorable.

three preschool aged children wearing blue graduation caps and gowns holding rolled, white diplomas

Celebrating milestones: Preschool graduation

Preschool graduation marks a pivotal milestone in a child's educational journey, celebrating their growth and the foundational skills they've acquired. This event not only signifies an important transition but also sets the stage for the beginning of a new and exciting chapter.

Preschool graduations are significant events that:

Celebrate children’s developmental milestones : A preschool graduation ceremony is a celebration, as it signifies children's ability to learn, grow, and take on more responsibility. It also shows that children are meeting developmental milestones, an essential step in children's lives that is worth celebrating.

Honor children and families for their time at your center : Preschool graduations are a chance to celebrate the children, families, and teachers who have worked together to make children’s learning and time at your center successful.

Acknowledge teacher and family partnerships : Preschool graduations are also times to acknowledge the strong home-to-school connection that teachers and families have achieved. It is also an opportunity for families to consider how they can continue supporting their child's educational goals after they move on from preschool.

With brightwheel, you can strengthen relationships between staff and families with things like real-time messaging and daily reports . The app makes it easy for families to get in touch with you, and staff can quickly send messages, SMS alerts, or engaging newsletters to families.

Components of a preschool graduation ceremony

Preschool graduation ceremonies are special occasions that recognize young learners' achievements and readiness for the next step in their educational path. Here, we explore the essential components that make up a memorable preschool graduation ceremony:

Speeches: The preschool administrator or director generally congratulates children on their hard work and dedication to the school. They can talk about what children have learned in the past year and how it has helped them grow. They may also talk about what the future holds for them and give advice to families.
Receiving diplomas: The presentation of a preschool diploma is usually simple, with each child receiving a certificate from the school. The school may also present children with other mementos that symbolize their success. Families also sometimes bring gifts for their children, accompanied by a photo session.

Special school traditions: Traditions vary from school to school; this can be anything from a special song or dance performance to a more formal procession. Regardless of the specifics, these traditions are fun and memorable ways to mark the occasion.

Preschool graduation ideas

To help organize your event, consider choosing a preschool graduation theme with relevant activities that showcase what children have learned in the past year. The theme sets the tone for the ceremony and can transform a simple graduation into a captivating event that children, families, and teachers will remember for years to come.

Consider involving families and children in the planning process to build community and engagement with your program. They can assist with decorating the space, choosing the music, preparing refreshments, and cleaning up after the event.

Once you settle on a particular theme, incorporate it into every aspect of the event to make it fun and memorable for children. Here are ten ideas to consider for your preschool graduation ceremony.

1. Under the sea

This is a great way to bring the beauty of the ocean and its many creatures to the event. Here are some ideas to help bring this theme to life:

Decorate the graduation venue with blue and green streamers, balloons, and other under-the-sea-themed decorations
Give out seashells or other under-the-sea-themed favors to the graduates

2. Out of this world

This theme is a great way to inspire children to reach for the stars and celebrate their stellar achievements. Some ideas for decorating this theme include:

Hanging planet and star decorations from the ceiling
Setting up a rocket ship as a backdrop
Making space-themed crafts such as aliens, UFOs, and telescopes

3. Exploring the future

This theme is all about showing a future full of possibilities. Some popular activities include:

Having the children wear costumes inspired by their favorite futuristic movie or TV show
Playing games that reflect what life will be like in the future
Using virtual reality to “transport” your children to a different world for their big day

4. Growing garden

Just like a blooming plant, the growing garden theme represents the growth and development of the children over the past year. It can also be a reminder of the importance of learning and growing. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for this theme:

Choose a location that has plenty of green space, such as a neighborhood park
Decorate the space with flowers and plants
Use garden-themed props such as watering cans, baskets, and flower pots

5. Alphabet theme

An alphabet theme is a great way to incorporate learning into the festivities and will put your children’s letter knowledge on display.

Decorate your venue with alphabet letter balloons
Sing songs that teach the alphabet, such as The Alphabet Song
Create awards for each child that correspond to a letter of the alphabet. For example, the "A" award can be for being an "amazing artist", the "B" award can be for being a "brave helper", and so on
You can also serve alphabet-themed food like alphabet soup

6. Reading books

A book-themed graduation ceremony is a great way to encourage a love for reading. Consider one book that your children have read the past year and use it as a base for your decor.

For example, children can dress up as their favorite book characters, and the ceremony can end with everyone reading aloud from their favorite book. Additionally, you can end the ceremony with a book-themed graduation song, such as The Reading Song or The More We Read Together.

7. Road trip

A road trip-themed graduation ceremony is a great way to celebrate the end of preschool and the beginning of summer vacation. The decor can be based on popular travel destinations, and the graduate program can include activities related to road trips. Alternatively, the ceremony can have a special "road trip" down the graduation aisle, with children riding in toy cars or buses.

8. Rainbow theme

What better way to celebrate than with a rainbow-themed graduation party? Imagine a sea of little graduates in their caps and gowns, each adorned with ribbons of different colors of the rainbow. Create this theme with plenty of colorful balloons, streamers, and tablecloths. And, of course, no graduation party is complete without a delicious cake, so be sure to include a rainbow cake in your plans!

9. Nature theme

Use animal prints, greenery, and rustic props like tree stumps and wooden signs for a nature-inspired theme. You can set up a mini zoo with stuffed animals or animal masks, or you can organize a nature walk with the children to explore the local flora and fauna. You can also have a storytelling session with animal-themed books.

10. Circus-themed ceremony

For this theme, you can organize games, such as a ring toss, beanbag toss, or balloon darts, to keep the children entertained. You can also set up a photo booth with circus-themed props such as clown noses, mustaches, and hats so children can take photos with their friends and family. This is a great way to celebrate the children's accomplishments and send them off to kindergarten with a bang.

Sample preschool graduation program

Having an organized timeline can help you plan your graduation ceremony and activities. Even a very simple program can still create a memorable and engaging experience. Below is a sample program you can use to plan your event and adjust to suit the needs of your school's culture:

8:00 am: Processional by the graduating class. The preschool staff will begin the ceremony by leading the children's procession, with each child escorted by a family member.
8:05 am: Welcome speech. Once everyone is seated, the preschool director will welcome children and guests.
8:10 am: Performance. Usually the preschool class will be prepared to sing a short song or perform a simple dance.
8:15 am: Presentation of diplomas. After the performance, it’s time for children to receive their diplomas, presented by the preschool staff. Families can also come up on stage for a photo session.
8:45 am: Final speech. To wrap things up, the preschool director will thank families for their support throughout the year and end on an inspirational note.
8:50 am: Reception. End the day with a small reception with refreshments.

Preschool graduation checklist

Here are some items to include on your preschool graduation checklist:

Decorations
Graduation gowns
Graduation caps
Diplomas
Invitations
Refreshments
Cameras and video cameras
Gifts for children (optional)

Bottom line

Graduating from preschool is a significant milestone for children and their families. It marks the end of an essential phase of their lives and the beginning of a new one.

When children graduate from preschool, they have their first taste of real achievement and are proud of what they’ve accomplished. With creativity and preparation, you can pull off a preschool graduation ceremony that both children and families will appreciate and remember forever.

Brightwheel is the complete solution for early education providers, enabling you to streamline your center’s operations and build a stand-out reputation. Brightwheel connects the most critical aspects of running your center—including sign in and out, parent communications, tuition billing, and licensing and compliance—in one easy-to-use tool, along with providing best-in-class customer support and coaching. Brightwheel is trusted by thousands of early education centers and millions of parents. Learn more at mybrightwheel.com .

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Kindergarten Graduation Speech - Well Done To One And All

A kindergarten graduation speech marks an amazing and special milestone!

You're looking out over a sea of faces in your audience - proud mums, dads, grandparents, family and friends - and indeed they have every right to be proud.

There is something special about a kindergarten graduation ceremony - innocence retained, journeys begun and dreams waiting to be achieved.

A graduation speech needs to pay tribute to each and every child - all so special in their own way.

We hope our free sample speech will get your creative thought processes going and we have no doubt that you'll add a bit, maybe delete a bit - either way - you are going to say it just right!

Good Afternoon Ladies, Gentlemen and of course, most importantly, the girls and boys who are graduating from kindergarten today - this is indeed a very special day!

I am very aware that today is about the children and as such, my speech is largely aimed at the special young people sitting on stage today. Don't they look fantastic? I think they deserves a round of applause before we even begin! Today is all about you girls and boys. I know it is difficult to sit still for a long time - so I promise that I'll try and keep my speech as short as possible.

Stacia Tauscher said, "We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today."

As parents and teachers we do put a lot of time and energy into preparing our children for their futures. And rightly so. We do indeed need to equip our children with life-long skills to prepare them for adulthood. It is our collective responsibility as we guide and mold the leaders of tomorrow - for it is on them that the future will have to depend.

Today, as we pay tribute to the young ladies and gentlemen of tomorrow, we know that they have started their remarkable journey towards achieving this goal. This year has seen them grow and develop exponentially. They have learned so much. They have remained eager and enthusiastic and they have grown in so many ways. Our thanks and appreciation to all the teachers and the parents for the fantastic role that you have all played to facilitate this process.

Now, girls and boys...I need to tell you how very proud we are of you today.

You are all incredibly special people today, right now, as you sit here in front of us. You have all worked very hard to learn more every day, you have played hard, you have made new friends and you have all tried to be a good friend too. Well done and congratulations to each and everyone of you - you can feel very proud of all you have done this year.

Our young children will move into a new year - a year with new challenges to deal with. As they move into their respective tomorrows so bright with goals already achieved and more dreams still to aspire to, we say to them...

Enjoy being four today with all your heart and soul... and worry less about preparing to be five.

Hold onto your uncanny gift of finding everything in nothing, of not only seeing seven wonders in the world - but several thousand.

"Work hard and play straight" and may you stay...in your spirit and soul...

Forever young!

In your kindergarten graduation speech pay tribute to our children - "they are the message that we send to future that we will not see" - John W. Whitehead

Return from Kindergarten Graduation Speech to Words of Wisdom Free Graduation Speeches and Words of Wisdom that Inspire

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Graduation Theme

Graduation Ideas for Preschool and Kindergarten

Graduation poems and gift ideas for preschool, pre-k, transitional kindergarten, or kindergarten classrooms.

Graduation Books

Graduation Picture Slideshow

Many teachers like to create a picture slideshow or movie to show parents at the end of the year. Visit the blog to learn how to make a quick and easy end of the year picture slideshow .

Graduation Speech

If you have to give a graduation speech this one titled “ Great Expectations ” won’t leave a dry eye in the house, especially yours!

End of the Year Printable Sand Bucket Tags for Preschool and Kindergarten

Free Printable Beach Bucket Tags

Beach buckets make a great end of the year gift in preschool or kindergarten. Download your free beach bucket tags that say “Dig Up Some Summer Fun!” on the blog HERE .

Graduation Poems and Photos

Take a class picture with your digital camera and copy these poems for your students. There are two poems I have used, one starts You’re a very special person and the other starts with “ Here is a picture that you can treasure .” Glue the poem of your choice on the back of the photo to give to your students on the last day of school.

End of the Year Scholastic Book Gifts

I take the poem found here that starts with “I’m glad I was your teacher” and shrink it down so it fits 4 per page. Then I cut the poems apart and glue them to the inside cover of a Scholastic book to give as a gift to each child. You can collect enough Scholastic books for your entire class for free by using your bonus points.

Autograph Beach Ball End of the Year Idea

Autograph Beach Ball Souvenir

This idea is a sure hit with any grade level! I ordered mini, inflatable beach balls by the dozen from Oriental Trading then inflated them and wrote with a permanent marker on each ball “I had a ball in Mrs. ______’s class” along with the year. If your students are old enough they can all sign the beach balls with a permanent marker.

Free Printable Forget Me Not Graduation Gift Idea

Forget Me Not Flowers

This Forget Me Not gift idea is perfect for kids to give to teachers or teachers to give to kids. Visit the blog to download your free printable Forget Me Not seed packets with poem.

End of the Year Treat Bag Topper

A cute end of the year treat bag topper and photo prop idea using Teddy Grahams instead of candy. Read all about it on the blog here .

Butterfly Garden Seeds

Order packages of Butterfly Garden seeds in bulk on-line or buy them at your local nursery. Print a butterfly goodbye poem and glue to the front of a card. On the inside of the card glue a package of the Butterfly Garden seeds and sign your name.

Printable Graduation Party Planning Kit (Editable)

Preschool Graduation Kit

170 pages of graduation printables to make planning and preparing for a preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten graduation program easier! Add your own text to these done-for-you resources and create an amazing and memorable graduation program for your students and parents.