New School, New Life

Raina began her Strictly Pediatrics experience two weeks ago and she has loved every minute of it. She has dived back into art projects -- her coloring and drawing are quite improved -- and she has her own art box at school and home. She wants to marker things up all the time! She also spends a lot more time learning new things, which is making her the happiest, I think. The very first day, she practiced writing the letter I. She was so proud of her work and she recited to herself before bed "down, cross, cross" over and over again. What impressed the adults the most is that Raina wrote her name for the very first time the same day. Insanely thrilled is what we were.

Last Friday, Raina wrote / illustrated a story. The illustrations took multiple pages and the story was all verbal, about a horse named Raina who was thirsty and had babies and met a man and knocked on doors. (Admittedly, the story didn't make much plot sense, but she recited the story at least four times without flaw, so it was definitely the story she intended to tell.) We have her book proudly displayed with other books in the living room, and she occasionally pulls it out to read to us.

The Whompton adults are impressed by how nice and intelligent her teachers are. (I feel insulting and holier than thou to say this, but not all early childhood teachers fit these criteria.) Ms. Stevie and Ms. Stacy rock. They've been teaching together for 15+ years and they have a firm control on the classroom -- where they want to go and how to get there. In no instance have we seen out-of-control kids or teachers being reactionary; the teachers have definite expectations and the kids meet them. And, of course, Raina is a model citizen because she always has done what teachers tell her to do. (As Raina says, "you're the teacher, you're the boss!") We just asked her if she'd been in time-out at her new school. Her response: "NO! I would be very disappointed in that." Also, Raina desperately wants to stay in the 4 years-old room, and I think she may be scared that she'll be found out and sent back to the 3's.

We're so thankful that her transition has been smooth and joyous for her.

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