I had my second “observation” at The Boy’s school last week. It was incredible. But in order to appreciate it, I must recap the First “observation.” On that visit (in the fall), I came into the room and tried to sit down in the “big” chair so as to quietly observe (as I had been instructed to do). But the moment The Boy spotted me, he started running all around the room, pushing kids, being pushed by kids, shouting, and generally behaving like a pinball set loose in a pinball machine. It was very upsetting. I had this vision of this Tasmanian Devil Child disrupting class all day (At home, this Tasmanian Devil Child is known as Neamon, The Boy’s alter-ego. He visits only infrequently, but, boy, when he does…!) And this was MY child. It was so bad, the teacher’s assistant actually suggested I just take him home for the day. At the conference, later, the teacher assured me that The Boy wasn’t normally like that, and that it was common for kids (especially the youngest and newest kids) to get “excited” when their parents visit because suddenly their two worlds are connecting in a way that they are not accustomed to. That made sense. I hoped it was true.
So imagine my amazement when, on my second observation, The Boy greeted me happily but quietly as I came through the door. “I’m doing flower arranging, Momma,” he said, then spent the rest of the half hour I was there pouring water into variously shaped and sized vases. I didn’t see a lot of flower arranging (but that’s not the point), but he was quite occupied with pouring and getting more water and managing his environment. All without any intervention from the teacher or anyone else. At one point, he decided he needed an extra container. He removed the paintbrushes that were soaking in a small handmade clay pitcher, used it for awhile, then–when he was done–refilled it with water and put the brushes back to soak. Now for those of you who don’t have a three-and-a-half year old, this may not sound like a big deal. But believe me, it IS. To see him there, so concentrated, so happily working, feeling so competent. To watch as he quietly and patiently put his hand on the teacher’s arm and waited for his turn to speak and get help…to see him work without being distracted by me—which all 20-some children did—or any of the other children. It was amazing. These are three to five year olds! All working quietly but energetically. Some in small groups, some on their own. One child (a friend of The Boy’s) spent the entire time I was there sitting in a book nook, reading a book. Another worked on a math work. Still others did drawing works and painting and map works. The children took their turns in twos helping themselves to (only) their share of the snack that was put out for them, then cleaning and setting the place for the next child. One child sat in front of me and sewed a button onto a little felt pouch that he had sewn (a budding crafster to be sure!). It was so wonderful and heartwarming and it almost made me cry. It seems like just last week, The Boy was demanding the Hootz and falling asleep in my arms. Now, he is no longer a baby. He has a vocabulary that surpasses many of my former college students’, and he’s developing a strong sense of self and independence. Wow. Being a mom ROCKS!
Neamon vs. Eamon
Maybe it’s time to comb his hair.
