This morning I had my first parent-teacher conference. I was eager to hear what she said since Emma had such a hard time at the beginning of the year. One of her first comments was that I have a social butterfly on my hands. Almost the same words her preschool teacher told me. Which seeing all the problems we had at the beginning was a little surprising. I figured it’d be one extreme or the other. Either she comes out of her shell when she gets in class or she clams up the entire time.
She said she was worried at first but she has adjusted well. Apparently she is the leader of her clique. And yes, apparently, there are cliques even in Kindergarten. She did say that even though she is very social when she is in the comfort zone of her friends, when the teacher corrects her she gets VERY nervous and shakes badly. Also this week she volunteered to read a book to the class and was excited but shook the whole way through. Hmm, sounds familiar.
As for her academics, she is doing well. She didn’t rave and say she was bored and didn’t say she was behind…she is doing “adequately well”. She encouraged her to color at home and label things…even writing stories and making them into booklets. Emma is always coloring or drawing all the time so it won’t be hard to add writing to that.
As a retired teacher AND a parent, I must tell you that I’m not such which was the more challenging! From what you’ve said, it seems that Emma is doing very, very well… and the teacher is also helpful in how to encourage her at home, too. And remember, too, that this is kindergarten… Emma’s entire academic and social life will not depend upon this year! There are so many things for her to learn and explore and love (and change her mind!)over her entire lifetime…
Congrats, Mommy… Emma will continue to make you proud!!
Thanks for the encouragement, Sharon. I always love to hear your opinion.