On Tuesday, the day before your 3rd birthday, mommy and daddy had a parent teacher conference in your classroom. I continue to be amazed by how you grow and change. Your teachers and friends love you. They want to be with you and work with you and play with you. They appreciate your warmth, your humor and your intelligence.
When mommy and daddy first sat down at the tiny nursery school sized table, the first thing your teachers commented on was how bright you are. You are learning so many new skills daily, both school skills, like reading and math, but also interpersonal skills, like listening, working with others, and waiting for your turn. Sometimes that last one is a bit hard, especially when your friends make a mistake and you want to correct them.
You know all the letter names and sounds and try to spell every word you come across, especially the names of your friends and teachers. You know all the numbers and, can put them in order (1-9 or 9-1) when asked. You are starting to write letters and numbers. You can paint simple pictures, like pumpkins and rainbows. You can put together puzzles up to 40 pcs independently, and you will ask for help when there are more pieces than you can handle.
Your teachers are most struck with your comprehension of both stories and oral instructions. You are able to hear a book read to you and you can recall most of what you heard. The teacher will explain an instruction and you will understand it and follow through the first time. Your teacher will show you how to complete a new work in the class, and you will dive right in and master it.
Because of the mixed-age nature of your class, some works are geared more towards the older kids in the class, the 4's, and not really for you. But you chose those activities anyway. Usually the difference between the activities for 3's and 4's is in how long the work will take to complete. You tend to chose the work that requires time and patience and maybe a friend to work with you. We are all impressed by your ability to sustain focus.
You think you are one of the teachers in your classroom. You enjoy sitting in Mariel's chair and running circle time. You like to chose the songs, and call on your friends to join in.
You greet everyone by name, and when you don't know who someone is, you will ask them who they are and introduce yourself. When someone walks into your classroom, you will get up from your activity and greet them at the door.
You are the best version of yourself at school. It seems as if everything you struggle to do at home, sitting at the table during meal times, cleaning up your toys, stopping what you are doing to use the bathroom - none of this happens at school. This is both frustrating and a relief to know. While I'm grateful you know how to sit for the duration of a meal, clean up your toys when you are done, and get up to use the bathroom when you need to pee, I'm frustrated that these things are such a battle at home. We will continue to work with you on all of this when you are home, now that we know you know how to do it.
Tomorrow we are celebrating your birthday with a party. So many of your friends will be there, I think you are really going to love it.
I am so proud of you, my big birthday boy.
Happy 3rd birthday.
Love,
Mommy
