Controversial debate over 'preschoolers having a coming-of-age ceremony'

Giáo viên một trường mầm non tại TP. HCM trang trí lễ trưởng thành dễ thương - Ảnh: ĐOÀN NHẠN — Teachers at a kindergarten in Ho Chi Minh City decorate a cute coming-of-age ceremony - Photo: DOAN NHAN

On online forums, there has been a discussion with many conflicting opinions about "preschool children having a coming-of-age ceremony".

"Elementary school children are showing off their coming of age ceremony"

Many people think that coming of age ceremonies should be reserved for high school seniors, when they are 18 years old citizens. Coming of age ceremonies in preschool are a waste of time and money for parents.

Mr. H. (a parent in Da Nang) said that his daughter's coming-of-age ceremony cost him 400,000 VND, including food, decorations, gifts for parents, teachers, etc. The amount was equal to the combined daily wages of both he and his wife, but he still contributed so that his daughter could be on par with her peers.

"Not only preschoolers, but also primary and secondary school seniors, in my opinion, should not display formal attire for taking photos and then for coming-of-age ceremonies... Many parents in difficult circumstances have a hard time following these formal activities. The majority of the parents' association agrees with the school, so other parents have to agree, otherwise it would be a shame for their children."

Ms. Doan Thi Nhan (HCMC) recently attended her 5-year-old son's coming-of-age ceremony on the occasion of his "graduation from kindergarten". Sharing photos with her son at the coming-of-age ceremony, she said she was very touched to see the teachers organize a simple but neat ceremony so that the children had the opportunity to express their gratitude to their parents and teachers.

"The ceremony was cozy, the children wore wreaths made by themselves for their parents and expressed their gratitude for giving birth and raising them. The children sang songs to express their gratitude to their parents and teachers. There was no noisy party, and parents did not have to pay any other fees. It was great, why complain?", Ms. Nhan expressed.

Due to the organization of each school

Ms. Anh Ngoc (Da Nang) said that her child also had a coming-of-age ceremony in the form of a "Children have grown up" festival. The cost of renting a graduation gown for each child was several tens of thousands of dong.

Ms. Ngoc said: "People think that preschool children are still young, so organizing gratitude or maturity ceremonies will not leave any mark on them. But in fact, there should be such a ceremony so that children know that they have finished a level of education, moving to first grade, there will be many changes in the way they learn, such as switching from playing to studying... And gratitude to teachers, parents, and even the catering staff... must be formed from a young age." According to Ms. Ngoc, the abuse or the heavy cost depends on the organization of each school, not on whether or not a ceremony should be held.

Các bé Trường mầm non Ngọc Lan (Đà Nẵng) rửa chân cho mẹ tại — Children of Ngoc Lan Kindergarten (Da Nang) wash their mother's feet at the "coming of age ceremony" - Photo: THU TRAM

Discussing this issue, Ms. Nguyen Quoc Thu Tram - principal of Ngoc Lan Kindergarten (Hai Chau district, Da Nang) - said that organizing a coming-of-age ceremony for preschool children at the end of their school year has many meanings.

According to Ms. Tram, children finishing preschool and entering first grade marks their maturity from learning while playing to learning in a disciplined and serious manner. Preschool years are the stage when children complete their personalities, and kindergarten is the foundation for them to have a solid mindset to enter primary school, a completely new environment.

Ms. Tram believes that graduation is a time for children to have fun with friends, where they can show their gratitude to their teachers and parents. These simple activities teach children lessons about being human, being grateful to their parents, and knowing how to take care of themselves.

"The important thing is the way it is organized. Like my school, the uniforms are made every year from the budget, avoiding costs for parents. The activities and decorations at the ceremony are also designed by the teachers themselves, simply from available materials, without any additional costs or expenses," said Ms. Tram.