Dear Suzie and Fred,
Katelyn had a very good morning today, with lots of smiles. She showed me that she knows the names of all the letters in the alphabet, and the phonetic sounds for many of them. She played a letter game with 2 other 4 year old girls, Isa and Molly.
The only time she felt a little sad was after lunch. When I saw her looking sad, I talked with her about what would happen during the rest of the day. When she realized it was just like yesterday, she quickly cheered up. She fits in very well in the class. Kerry
The note was putting in KK's new lunch box from her first day of school. I use i-phone to take down the photo and email to Hsuan. Daddy laughs with tears....
I read about KK's note from Ms. K, and later on, many other observation, supporting my judgement. I never think a preschool needs to teach my daughter everything from ABC to 123. I don't think getting into gifted & talented program is the purpose. In fact, a sensitivity to read child's mind and heart, the confidence and competent to build on a child is more significant.
10/05/2010 Monday
K's first full day of school. We prepared the lunch box first thing in the morning.
Food in the lunch box does not matter much. It is the process of preparation for her readiness.
KK is excited about this first experience to carry her lunch to school.
Last night, she said to Erin, "MEIMEI I have to sleep early so I can wake up early and go to school". I know that the try out for school last Friday was good experience.
She loves the school we chose together.
No surprise at all, of course she became tearful at drop off.
I tried to be calm and assure that I will pick her up at Orange Circle time.
Same as always, I left her with guilt and worries.
Thoughts of my girl has no friend to play with, will not know what to do.
Then my own projection on her--We just moved Here!
But not like past experience with her preschool in NY, I left with confident.
I believe KK is in good hand. All she needs is time.
(For those who knows my negatives with K's first preschool experience, I am more sure after visiting all these preschools I visited in the past month).
每早離開學校就躲在這高處可以看到學校內活動情形的樓梯 遠望確認小米沒事了 才放心離開
一張小小紙條提醒家長 packing to avoid waste 讓我認同這樣的價值觀
知道孩子在學校能受這樣的生活教育 知道環保跟節省 很棒!
I pick up KK and she was full of smiles. She told me school is fun and she likes to come back tomorrow. The next few days, her tearfulness in the morning remains the same. Every morning, she said she is scared; however, never refuse to go. I know she is trying hard. I am glad she can verbalize what worries or make her scared.
My anxiety is still there but I also get through it. I know her anxiety past on to me, a mild one.
I addressed some concern of not having the same teacher establish the morning attachment with KK. They gave explanation that because KK started in Oct when teachers starts to take some days off after first month of school. Well, we just have to bear with it.
KK seemed to have fear with the average aging teachers. I notices some teachers are quite seniors including Ms. K.. However, kids are showing the normal fear of elderly, which is in fact a good social education, isn't it?
KK is afraid to go to bathroom. In her old school, everything is group activity. Here, you do everything on your own. I addressed my concern. School starts to team up KK with other kids going with her. Today, afternoon teacher shared that KK did went. KK showed me her empty lunch box at pick up. Her science project seemed excited. AND SHE IS FREE ON MONKEY BAR NOW. She asked for sharing house work AND she past out 5 mins in bed!
I missed the parents information night in Sept, the director kindly invited me to join the Oct one for prospective parents. Getting more information on KK actual daily schedule, the Montessori teaching facilities/tools, I am even more happy with what KK is exploring right now.
Nothing is perfect. Of course there are things I found out not to be perfect. However, coming to Bay Area later than usual start date in school and being able to find a supportive/child sensitive environment, we are grateful. In a way, it is therapeutic for me in assurance. I should be more optimistic with the new changes.
I am sure in another month, KK will leave me every morning with smile. She already said it tonight, "Mommy, I won't cry tomorrow morning because I really want to go to school"!
4:45 Orange Circle Time. KK starts to enjoy outdoor group game
P.S. There is no specific reason I wrote this entry in English. I am just practicing my written English so when I go back to work, I still remember how to write my progress note. Silly me.
