Aftermath
The parent/teacher meeting went well yesterday. We were on the fence last Spring about whether or not to send him to Kindergarten this year because of his age. Actually, let me clarify. We weren't on the fence about it until we talked to his preschool teachers, all of whom hoisted us right up onto that fence which is where we sat haphazardly until Kindergarten registration last April. There's a group of people in our town (probably in every town) who strongly believes in holding their kids back from Kindergarten until they're six. For some it's a decision that's based on their kid's readiness, for others, it's a sports decision, for still others, it's a boy versus girl question (boys being behind emotionally as compared to girls). We thought this group was a majority until we were set straight at the registration last spring. Although Henry was probably going to be the youngest in his class, he would be one of a handful of kids who would also be turning five over the summer. After hearing that, we felt much better about sending him because we thought that he was ready academically, despite being very much four-and-then-five emotionally, and that if he was in pre-school one more year, we'd be dealing with behavior problems stemming from boredom. His teacher yesterday said he's meeting the expectations they have for Kindergartners which really hammered home once again that we made the right decision. Henry thrives on the structure. When he knows what's coming, day in and day out, and what the expectations are and that he has no choice, it allows him to really come out of his shell. Being stuffed in the proverbial box seems to set him free. Oh, the irony. He also really loves all of the new things they're showing him. He thinks everything is awesome and amazing, including his teacher, which is a sentiment I can now fully appreciate having chatted with her yesterday. He really lucked out in the teacher department. Hopefully he'll maintain that excitement for many years to come.
On a side note, I wore my heels. I towered. Then I folded myself down into a little Kindergartener-sized chair for the meeting and spent the whole twenty minutes whacking my chin on my kneecaps. Lesson learned. I think I need to stick to glowering.
Comments
That's awesome...Go Henry!!!
and the chin to knee thing...too funny...
Posted by: Jocelyn | November 5, 2010 02:32 PM
I think you'd be a crap glowerer. I don't think you have the stamina to keep it up. You'd get distracted by something interesting and forget to look surly. Stay with the shoes. Of course it could just be that I'm on team shoe.
Posted by: Mel | November 5, 2010 04:30 PM
Ha! Maybe I'll run a poll: Team Shoe or Team Surly.
Posted by: Jenn | November 5, 2010 06:53 PM
YAY! What a great feeling that must be to know you made the right decision. Whew... I am glad you also are so happy with his teacher. If she had you sit in a child's size chair, I hope she also was sitting in a small chair. That's one of my pet peeves - a teacher sitting in an adult sized chair while the parents sit in child-sized ones at a conference.
Posted by: Ruth | November 5, 2010 09:06 PM
Team Shoe
Have faith in your parenting abilities. You've been doing a great job. Don't let others talk you into what you should (or shouldn't) do, based on trends.
Go Henry!!
Posted by: Gabriella | November 5, 2010 09:14 PM
Team Shoe, for sure.
Posted by: Megan | November 5, 2010 09:39 PM