Playgroup says a new child joining next week will have a shadow teacher. Do I prepare my 3 year old?

sunny_drum_966123 May 2026

Our son's playgroup near Vanasthalipuram sent a note to parents. A new child joins the group next week and will have a shadow teacher with him through the morning. The note was kind and brief and said the group is inclusive. I'm glad, and also aware that I don't know what this looks like day to day in a room of three year olds. Is there anything I should say to my son beforehand, or is it better to say nothing and let him find out the normal way? He asks questions very loudly at the moment.

1 comment

sage_drum_630223 May 2026
My son's UKG class had a shadow teacher for one boy. What I noticed was that the children treated her as an extra teacher for everyone, because at that age she sort of was. We said nothing in advance. When he asked at home why one boy had 'two miss', we told him some children get extra help, the way he gets help with buttons. That covered it.
- violet_basket_6323 May 2026
  this is good to read. in my house elders talk very openly about other children, at temple also, 'that child is not normal' like that. my daughter is small now but i worry she will learn it from them before school. how to teach when the elders are saying it?
- fig_bottle_465124 May 2026
  Replying to @violet_basket_63
  I don't think you have to fight them on it in front of her. What we do with my daughter's grandmother is correct the words afterwards, gently and in private, and use our own words in front of the child. Children pick up what the people closest to them repeat every day. If that is you, it will count.