At June’s new school they had a fire drill about a month ago and it really, really scared her.

The sirens are really loud and caught her off guard.  When I picked her up that day she pointed out all of the fire alarms, but didn’t say anything about the drill or her being scared.  She then cried that night asking about going back to school and fire engines.  I didn’t put it together until the next day when they told us about the fire drill.  I talked to Juney about it and every time she would cry or get upset and ask not to go to school.  It broke my heart. 

A couple of weeks ago as we were painting at home, I asked her about art at school – which she loves.  She said she doesn’t like Ms. Shaudae (the art teacher who she usually raves about) or art.  I asked more about it and as it turns out, she was in art when the fire drill happened.  I felt so bad for her.  She had been asking most evenings or mornings if there was going to be a “fire engine” at school.  She would cry sometimes and we would talk through it so she would feel safe and know what’s going on. I also emailed her teacher to let her know my discovery around art, her fear, and get any advice that she had on talking with June about it.  She had a a very touching response about June and said that she had been asking her about fire drills too.  We’ve been doing a lot of talking about it at home since and she seems to be doing better.

Yesterday they had a fire drill at school and immediately told Geoff about it when he picked her up and she was very, very excited exclaiming, “I am so brave!”

I also got an email from her teacher, Ms. Catherine last night:


Today we had a fire drill! It was after nap time so about 20 minutes before the drill I went to pick June up and bring her into my room (during nap time I work in another classroom with four year olds who do not nap). I told her that we were going to have a fire drill and that I was going to be with her the whole time. Then she sat in my lap and circle time while I told the 4 year olds what was going to happen and expectations during the drill. They asked why June was there and I told them she is a little nervous during fire drills so she was going to stay with me. They all jumped in “I’ll take care of you Junebug!” “Don’t be scared, June, I will keep you safe!” “Do you want to hold my hand?” It was very sweet how protective they were and it brought a smile to her face. When the alarm went off I carried her in my arms. By the time we were outside she was so proud of herself because she did not cry. “I’m so brave!” she told everyone and everyone agreed with her 🙂


Our brave Juney…I just love her.