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Malloryland

I had a conference with Mallory's pre-school teacher the other day. I always enjoy these; it's fun hearing about one's child from someone else's perspective. (I guess this may change if I ever have to start hearing about my child from, say, a juvenile court judge.) According to Miss Suzanne, Mallory is a sweet, bright little girl, completely ready for kindergarten. However...

"I was actually a bit surprised at how well she did on her 'test," Miss Suzanne said. The "test" required Mallory to draw shapes and identify her letters and numbers. "She got everything right, and I wasn't expecting that, because although I know she's bright, she also seems to be in her own little world much of the time."

I wasn't too surprised with that assessment. Mallory has never been one to perform on demand. One day I caught her in her room doing addition -- holding up her fingers and saying, "Two and two is four! Two and three is five!" And so on. A little while later I said to her, "Hey Mallory, what's two and two?" She said, "I'm not going to TELL you!" This was typical. As is the fact that she still refuses to pedal a bicycle because at one point someone told her it was the best way to make it go. It wasn't her idea to pedal the bicycle, therefore, she will probably NEVER pedal the bicycle. What this trait of hers will mean when she gets to "real" school is something I dread finding out.

Miss Suzanne also said that Mallory was very social (yes) and very sensitive (yes) and that, when someone hurt her feelings, she keeps going back for more. I recognized this too. For example, we live next door to a 7-year-old girl and her 10-year-old brother. The girl will come to play with Mallory only if she doesn't have anything better going on; the boy, of course, wants nothing to do with her. I can't tell you how many times Mallory has leaned over the fence and called, "Hey Travis, do you want to play with me?" and when Travis says no, she just keeps going. "Why don't you? Can't you come over and play for a little while? How about tomorrow? Don't you want to swing with me? Please?" She just won't give up, and I'm standing beside her just cringing because it's making me so uncomfortable. Apparently Mallory does the same thing to a little girl in her class. Every day Mallory asks Juliana if she wants to play. Every day Juliana says no. So Mallory asks again. And again. And finally after much trauma she gives it up. (Meanwhile, says Miss Suzanne, Mallory's true best friend Stephanie stands off to the side waiting, with a "Here we go again" look on her face.)

I can't believe she's going to start kindergarten soon. That seems like something that other people's children do, not my own. Where does the time go?

Comments

aimee said…
I had a conference with Noah's teacher today. She said that Noah is very social and very sensitive too. She also said he was so patient (huh?) and such a kind playmate. To everyone but his brother...

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