Our eldest starts kindergarten this year. And boy, is she ready. She’s been telling us so since her fourth birthday, thinking that the moment she turned five she’d get to hop on the bus to school.
Amidst the back-to-school shopping and birthday party planning, I’ve been reflecting on the journey that brought us to this point – from figuring out the whole new parents thing, to seeing her take her first steps, to watching her blossom from baby to preschooler and now kindergartener.
While this journey certainly has had its challenges, especially now that we have two lively little girls, I can’t help but think of how privileged we are to have access to a wealth of knowledge and resources to help set our children up for success.
Every parent wants their child to excel in school. We do whatever we can to ensure they have the tools they need to learn and thrive. In these young formative years, one of the most important tools a child needs is good eyesight.
Did you know that 80 percent of learning is visual?
Last night’s bedtime reading saw us continuing the adventures of Biscuit the Dog. After learning the words “woof” and “and” the evening before, my eldest learned to spot the word “we”, proudly saying it aloud when I pointed my finger to it.
Learning is about so much more than reading books. I’ve been thinking about all the times I’ll point things out while we’re walking to the playground or strolling through the grocery store, using it as a learning opportunity the way those parenting books tell you to.
“Look, I see a garbage truck. How many dogs do you see? What colour is this apple? Can you help me find the cereal you like?” Kids soak this up like sponges.
I recently took my eldest to her first ballet performance. She watched in awe, wide-eyed, while I spent most of my time watching her reactions to this new experience.
I also think of my two-year-old, carefully observing her big sister, modelling after her, although I wish she wouldn’t copy everything her sister does.
So much of their worlds are taken in by sight, and so many aspects of their future will be shaped by the learning they’re doing now.
I’m grateful that my kids have access to eye health care services and that they’re always excited to visit the eye doctor. It might have something to do with the silly bunny they get to watch jump around on the exam screen or the special prize they get at the end, but I’ll take it!
We’ll soon be booking their annual eye exams, and we’ll continue to teach them healthy eye habits, like spending time outdoors, wearing their sunglasses and taking screen breaks. If the day comes when they need eyeglasses or other eye health treatment, we’ll follow the doctor’s advice and remember how fortunate we are to have these services close to home.
So, on the first day of kindergarten, when I give my daughter a big hug outside her classroom and fight back the proud-yet-kind-of-sad mommy tears, I’ll rest assured knowing that she’s ready, and that she has one of the most important learning tools: healthy vision.
My work with Operation Eyesight reminds me on a daily basis that there are so many moms, just like me, wanting the best for their children. Only for many parents, eye health care – whether it’s an eye exam, a pair of glasses or other eye treatment – is not an option.
The barriers to eye health care are many, especially for families living in low- and middle-income countries. In my time with Operation Eyesight, I’ve seen how local partnerships and a focus on communities are helping other parents give their kids the best possible start. A big part of that is simply getting connected with the right health resources and the knowledge of how to overcome these barriers.
Find out more about our approach and how we’re setting kids up for success this school year.
