MOM: This is for you since I know you’re going to ask!

Kinda funny that David & I, who were perhaps the subject of my parent’s parent/teacher conferences in high school, attended our first parent/teacher conference for Nathan. Talk about feeling like real grown-ups! The guy I used to pass notes to in Algebra class is now the father of my CHILDREN and my HUSBAND! Time flies.

Anyway, I can’t speak for David but I know I was a little uneasy going into this conference because I know how “loud” of a personality Nathan has. Not that there’s ANYTHING wrong with that….. I mean, hey, he does get it from MY side of the family after all. But, I know how especially “touchy-feely” he can be and I was so hoping that Ms. Jan was not going to say it was beginning to be a problem.

My hopes were answered.

Although at this point in the year it’s too early to really chart any progress or anything, Nathan seems to be flourishing beautifully. Ms. Jan used the words “enthusiastic” about him several times. Looks like his colorful personality is really coming out in class. We went over a few social skills that he was assessed on and there were of course the usual suspects (something many, if not all, the kiddos in the class struggle with): Nathan sometimes will grab what he wants rather than ask for it, he is constantly hugging his friends (namely, Alexander) during circle time, and sometimes using toys inappropriately (i.e., knocking down a tower of blocks that are on a bookshelf where kids are playing). Ms. Jan assured us that all the kids do this at one time or another and that it’s not a problem by any means. It is, however, good to know what kinds of behavior expectations there are in her class so that we can try and reinforce those at home.

Then we talked a little about his developmental skills. She shared with us his version of “The Big Green Monster” which was a fantastic replica of the actual monster in the book! It clearly had two eyes, several teeth that were in a line, a visible hairline, and two ears. Perfect symmetry. She commented on how his perspective in artwork is great. She also noted his great fine motor skills and ability to give value to just one item at a time, like counting “1, 2, 3” and only pointing to one thing at a time – a skill she said is usually not expected till the second half of 4 year-old preschool. He’s also apparently very good with patterning and sequencing (doesn’t surprise me since my husband is a GENIUS!)

She then gave me about the best compliment as a parent I could’ve ever received: “I can tell you have worked with him a lot at home and that you read to him a lot”, she said. She noted that his language skills and phonics are “ahead of the game” at this point. Whew!! The fact that he is already using rhyming words and can read many easy-reader words puts him (and I quote) “way ahead of where we would want him to be at this point.”

After talking for a few more minutes about math and science concepts, she shared some other information with us then thanked us for sharing him with her and the class. She said she just loves having him in there because of his energy and enthusiasm for school. We then had a good laugh about how if only they could stay this interested in school for the next 15 years!