TALOYOAK/SPENCE BAY - Taloyoak's youngest students had their very own graduation ceremony, complete with mortarboards and gowns, in the Netsilik School gym on May 20.

A parent checks out the banner during the Natsiaq Preschool graduation at Netsilik School in Taloyoak on May 20. - photo courtesy of Gina Pizzo

Fourteen kids graduated from the Natsiaq Preschool through the Aboriginal Head Start program in the community, co-ordinator Elizabeth Lyall said. This year, the kids got to pick out their very own cap and gown to wear during the ceremony, which they were allowed to bring home.

"This year was colourful with all the colours they chose," Lyall said.

Acknowledging their achievements at a young age encourages kids to reach future goals, Lyall said. Awards were given at the ceremony and the three students with the best attendance received bicycles.

"We try to make them feel good about themselves so they can go a long way in education," she said.

The night before the ceremony, a potluck supper was held to honour the graduates and their families.

"That's getting to be an annual thing," Lyall said.

During the graduation ceremony, program co-ordinators and members of the Taloyoak District Education Authority presented a certificate to each child before moving the tassel on his or her cap to the other side to signify their graduation from the program.

The kids will start kindergarten in the fall, and many of them are already excited, Lyall said.

"They're going to be looking forward to going to the big school because they get to go on the bus," she said.

Preparing kids for kindergarten is the program's key focus, Lyall said, but she was quick to point out it's not all fun and games.

"Some people think it's just playtime here in early childhood, but the most important thing is dramatic play and learning to get along with each other," she said. "I think preschool really helps them to prepare for kindergarten."

Teaching Inuktitut is another important part of preschool, Lyall said.

Teachers make sure to explain concepts in both Inuktitut and English.

Lyall said even after kids graduate, memories of preschool are never far away. Kindergarten students still refer to Lyall and other staff members as "teacher" whenever they see them.

"Even kids in the kindergarten they say 'hi teacher,'" Lyall said, laughing. "They grow so fast."