WASHINGTON — During a visit to the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center in Decatur, Ga. to promote his new preschool initiative, President Barack Obama had trouble holding the attention of the four- and five- year-old children he was there to meet.
From the pool report: "At the first table, two boys eventually became engrossed in a video screen with their backs to the president and were encouraged by a teacher to rejoin the president of the United States."
According to local reports, the school was reopened during winter break for the day to host the president.
Pool was ushered into a classroom, where 16 children ages 4 and 5 were seated at four tables with their teachers. The walls were adorned with artwork by the students, and self-portraits were hanging from cords above them by clothespins. The kids were chatting excitedly, playing with blocks, playing on iPads.
Within a few minutes, the president was escorted into the room by teacher Lauren Parks.
Mr. Obama walked over to the first group of kids who were playing with blocks, and asked, "Can I help?" The children greeted him and asked him to play with them.
During the photo-op, one of the boys asked, "Are you our teacher?" Another boy said, "Welcome, Mr. President." and another child said, "I saw you on TV."
at the first table, two boys eventually became engrossed in a video screen with their backs to the president and were encouraged by a teacher to rejoin the president of the United States.
Mr. Obama gave one girl a high-five, and a fist-bump to another boy.
"You are doing great!" the president said.
At a second table, the president sat in the tiny chair and played with a magnifying glass. Pool couldn't hear what the game was, but POTUS said, "This is sort of like 'I Spy.' I remember 'I Spy.'"
Within about five minutes, pool was ushered out of the classroom.
College Heights is a learning center for infants through pre-K and is part of the Decatur city school district. The school has an enrollment of about 340 students.
The media has reported previously that this school is on winter break, and that it was reopened for the president's visit.
