A, B, C, D, E, F, G...

I should be working on my freelance project, but Henry is asleep and Padraic is next-door with Daddy, playing baseball with friends. Too tempting to opt for a little "me" time.

Strange goings on at day care lately. Yesterday Padraic was suddenly sent home with a packet of homework. He's THREE! The homework consisted of practicing writing the numbers 1-10 and then counting groups of objects and circling the correct number from three choices offered below the picture. What really steamed me was the note at the top of the page that said, "Needs help." Um, yeah. At this age kids should be learning to hold a writing implement correctly, not writing all their numbers. He was actually pretty good at the counting thing, but he just wasn't interested in it. Funny thing was, my 3yo kid wanted to play instead of count. No kidding.

I talked to the assistant director this morning to find out what the deal was with the sudden burst of super academia for preschoolers, and she said not to worry: The new teacher in Padraic's class is just trying to find a baseline for what the kids in the class can/cannot do so she can use that to inform the new curriculum that starts up Aug 29. I felt much better after that conversation.

Then I picked Padraic up from day care this afternoon and found a new packet of homework. This one requiring him to practice writing his name and the full alphabet. The note at the top made me see red: "Didn't want to Do it! [Last two words underlined] Wanted him to write his name. He refused. Did first one FOR HIM! [Last two words underlined twice and in all caps.]"

Now I'm steamed again. You can't just take a child who's at a scribbling stage and ask him to practice writing his name. What ever happened to breaking down a large task into baby steps? Not to mention choosing age-appropriate tasks for your students. I guess I'll be having another chat with the assistant director on Monday. Mommy is mad! I'm worried that trying to force inappropriate skills work onto Padraic will make him more resistant to learning that he would otherwise be, and I'm not gonna let that happen.

In better news, Henry is getting a lot more stable on his feet. I caught him trying to stand independently today, which was neat. He just about had it, but he wobbled and plopped down on his butt. Still, I'm guessing within about 6 weeks we'll have a full-fledged toddler on our hands.

I'm also loving how he points to everything, or if he's holding something he shows it to you, and says "See it!" Of course, it sounds like "seeeeeeeeet!" but I know what he means.

OK, back to the freelance project. Soon the big boys will be coming home, and then I'll wish I'd accomplished more.