First, you have to know about a note the teacher sent me regarding Nea at school. It seems she was "caught" kissing on a boy in the corner during OT time. So instead of swinging, riding on scooters and jumping, my girl was smoochin it up in the corner! The teacher gently reminded her that we don't give kisses in school and that kisses were saved for Mama and Poppa at home. Now you have to know, this made me laugh so hard when I heard it! I mean, I know germ spreading in the 3-5 year old crowd is pretty rampant and we should do everything we can to keep that down to a dull roar. But that whole kissing and loving on you thing is a nice social skill. Okay, okay, it's not appropriate...but you see what I mean here right?
When I arrived at school, Nea's class was in the gym. The nice thing about this area is that it's total "run around and be crazy as you want in a safe way" sort of environment. There are 2 classes in the gym (I think the other class is a neurotypical class, which I love that they are together) and I would call it "controlled chaos."
When I walked in, I stood to the side to find Nea. She was on the alligator teeter-totter with 2 other kiddos. Oh how my heart just wanted to sing! Group play with peers is such a beautiful thing to watch. She spied me after about 3 minutes and waved. "Mamma! Over here!" She was super excited and came running over. Mom in school is a very magical thing indeed! She ran over to give me a hug and then ran off to play more.
I watched all the kids in the gym. Some in their own worlds playing alone, some playing cooperatively with others, some trying to negotiate a toy. If any kid was alone for longer than a couple minutes one of the teachers or one of the aides were right beside them to engage them in play. Play is a child's work, and this is no time to be sittin! Redirecting kiddos back to play and back to peer interaction seemed important. What I loved the most is that the teachers weren't standing off to the side talking to each other. They were playing. They played ball, they laid down on the floor and made "angels" on the carpet, they helped build with blocks, they shot a few hoops. The teachers were engaged as much as the kids and it was a beautiful thing to watch unfold.
Nea came to me holding a kiddo by the collar and dragging him my way. This poor boy looked confused as hell as Nea man-handled him and pulling him my direction. She kept saying "Come on! Come on!"
Me: Whoa, sis! Whoa. We don't pull on people's clothes.
Nea: Look Eli! , it's Mama! (Eli is not his real name, just for the record. Using a pseudonym)
Eli is clearly confused.
Nea: Mama, it's Eli!
Me: Nea, it's not fair to just drag Eli around, you have to ask him. He has choices.
Nea: Okay, Mama
Me: Eli, it's nice to meet you.
Eli: yah
....and off they ran! A formal introduction!? Wow! Granted, Eli was not a willing participant, but still!
The bell rang. In an act I would call nothing short of a miracle, 20+ preschoolers lined up against the wall. I need one of these bells at home! Every student stopped where they were, picked up the stuff they were playing with at the time and ran to the wall. I watched Nea run to the wall and shove her way in between Eli and another kid. Okay, clearly she liked this boy but we were going to have to work on manners!
All the kids stood with their backs against the wall with their hands flat against it. It reminded me of the cutest damn pre-school perp line-up I've ever seen. I'm sure that it's meant to keep little preschoolers from putting their hands all over each other and teaching about personal space. And there were Eli and Nea, secretly holding pinkie fingers with flat hands against the wall.
Oh, my heart!
Gym time over, we headed to the classroom. First a stop at the bathroom for a potty break and handwashing! Again, nothing short of watching The Red Sea open up. Seriously, the amount of weaving and organization required for teachers and aides to get this accomplished is just something to behold. I waited with the girls in the bathroom. But of course, waiting is not just waiting at school. There's always something to learn! So as we waited, the aide went through everyone's name. "Nea! Nea starts with what sound? That's right! nnnnnnn. NNNNN for Nea!" And every kid got their name in the spotlight!
When we were back in the classroom, it was storytime. Mrs. K went to the board and pointed at the pictures to remind them where they were in the day. A nice visual schedule for little learners who need that cue. Everyone begin to take seats in the horse-shoe shape of chairs.
Eli: Nea! Nea! over here! Sit here!
And sure enough, she took the chair by Eli, and cozied up right next to him. She slipped her arm around him, touched his face gently and they turned their attention to the story.
Oh, my heart!
Have you ever heard a preschool teacher read a story? Seriously. Disney actors have nothing on these guys. No wonder it's difficult for me to get Nea to sit and listen to a book with me. (although she is better!). I must really pull out my Thespian skills! These kiddos (all special needs, mind you) were fixed. Most sat with only a couple reminders needed and participated in her counting story about turkeys. Apparently I'll need a board too when I read a story! Props go a long way with this crowd!
Next on our visual schedule was a special activity with Mrs. M. (Notice I said "our" as by this time I was totally hooked in with this class!). Mrs M. is the speech therapist and comes to do group work in the classroom. Remember, part of therapy is speech in social situations and this is the perfect opportunity. The kiddos stayed in their chairs as Mrs. M took center stage.
And she had bags! She had some contraption in her hand! What was it!?
With the skill of a bard from the Queens kingdom, she told them all about the popcorn popper she brought to show them. I'm sure I haven't seen one of these since 1979, but those kids believed it to be some amazing device with magical powers. And they had no idea what it was! There was a rustle of excitement among the kids.
A what?
Popcorn?
Does it get hot?
Did she say popcorn?
The first thing she showed them was the stick of butter.
"Friends, we need this to make the popcorn. What is it? Do you know?"
Every kid said with conviction, "Cheese!"
hahaaha! I suppose stick butter is not something most see every day, and in fact it does resemble a cheese stick. They seemed shocked that indeed it was butter.
The fan of the popcorn machine could be an issue for sensory kids in the room. She took that well into consideration and warned them before it happened as well as turn it on for a second and then turned it immediately off. A couple were a little startled, but really were okay after a minute or so. She let each kid have a job in helping to make the popcorn. A couple kids were able to help by putting in the butter and putting in the kernels.
Then it was time to wait. She signed the word "wait" , which I'm sure is every preschooler's frustration when they see it. I heard a lot of deflated sighs as they all sat back into their chairs. Mrs. M. talked about all things popcorn while they waited. I'm sure some of them were like, "Really, lady?" And then it happened.
Pop!
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The gasps and the squeals in the room were hysterical. Some were so excited they could barely contain themselves. Everyone knew to stay in their chair, but some had to hang on to their seats (literally) to stay there! Oh my goodness everyone was a wreck trying to contain their excitement!
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Eli was visibly shaking he was so excited. Nea touched his face gently and told him "it's okay."
Oh, my heart!
I said to Mrs. K, the teacher. "Let me guess, this is the boy she was kissing in the corner?" She smiled and nodded. Clearly these two were tight.
Finally the popcorn was done! Each kid got an opportunity to stir the popcorn in the bowl. Now we all know popcorn doesn't need stirred, but participation is crucial and these kids now felt like they had a true hand in making that magical corn! Nea kept shouting...."Mrs M! Mrs M! Mrs M!" "Yes, Nea, what is it?"
"You made octcorn! Good job, buddy!" ...and a round of applause given by Nea.
Friendsgiving was starting....and over to the snack table we went. Every kid brought a snack and put that snack in the big bowl with the popcorn. It was a ChexMix extraordinaire....preschool style! The kids also had their snack lunches at this time. Lunch on this day was a turkey/cheese sandwich on whole wheat, fruit cup, cauliflower and milk. Nea ate that sandwich like she did it every day. Can I get her to eat a sandwich at home? Nope. However, things are very different at school when your peers are all eating the sandwich. Okay, I'm never going to fret if you don't eat well before school again child!
Much to my surprise, Nea stood up with her carton of milk walked around the table and went to the sink. She scooted over the footstool, poured the remainder of her milk into the sink, moved the step stool back to it's original location, walk over to the trashcan and throw it away.
What did I just witness? My kid picking up after herself? Alien abduction!! I've seen it now!
I had a magical day at school and look forward to my next visit! I like to watch my own kid of course, but it's also great to see kids just being kids. As a pediatric nurse, I see kids freaked out, stressed out, scared, in pain, angry, etc. It's so good to see them just being themselves in their own environment.
Oh, my heart! It's just so full!
