Yesterday was our appointment for Jake's testing for 4-year-old kindergarten. It's based on need they say, and I'm not sure if that's financial need or educational need, and it may even be both since they asked for related information on the tons of paperwork I had to fill out. I think he needs to start for his socialization skills, but I guess we just wait to hear at this point.
He was not happy about going for this test. I tried to explain it all to him, say every good thing I could think of about kindergarten, but nothing worked especially once he realized he was going to be taken to another room for his testing. He cried so until he was splotchy with hives. Finally, one of the teachers told me that if I'd wait until they'd finished with everyone else, I could stay with him for the testing, something they aren't supposed to do. I didn't just want to give up so I was grateful they offered this to us.
First, he had to catch a bean bag thrown at him with both hands and then with his right arm behind his back. Then he had to use blocks to build the same configuration the teacher built. Out of the four, he did the first two and the last one, which was the hardest. He had to draw some shapes and write some letters, both of which need work.
I don't know the names for these tests, but next they showed him pictures of things like a plane and a car and asking him what you did with them. He got most of them except the plane and the thermometer, but when she redirected the question, like which one do you fly in and which one tells you whether it's hot or cold, he could point those two out.
Then there was counting, 1-20, and he did great with that. For some reason he would not say his ABCs, but he did identify letters for her. He needs work on the sounds the letters make. Then colors and shapes matching, all of which he did well on.
I guess it's just a wait and see thing now. In a way, I want him to go because, again, he needs to get away from Mommie some and needs friends. I just wish that he wouldn't cry so about my leaving him. It makes it that much harder for me to keep my composure, which I know I have to do. The thing is, and I would never share this with him, I was exactly the same way! My mom took me into my first grade class, told me bye, and I made it back to the car before she did. She sat with me until the teacher convinced me to go back in with her. Thing was, Jake wouldn't even listen to the teachers. He just kept saying "I won't do it." over and over.
I'd love any advice you have!
1 comment:
I'm willing to bet that he's feeling his lack of power in the whole situation. Remember to offer choices even when there really isn't any. Like the ABC's... "Jake, not trying isn't a choice. Do you want to sing them, or say them without singing? You choose."
And remember, school for socialization in an oxy moron. As soon as he gets through that door, he's not going to be encouraged to learn how to interact. He'll be asked to sit still, talk quietly, and refrain visiting with his friends during class. Going to school for socialization is something we've been programed to believe is how you do it. It's not. Not only that, boys develop socially LATER than girls. There's NOTHING wrong with waiting a year. Listen to your heart. Don't let the pressure to not be such a worry wart or to be "tough" make you make a choice you don't REALLY feel is right.
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