Reflecting on his progress in school

There’s about two months left in the academic year. Looking back, he has progressed quite a bit in terms of school readiness skills but he’s still not ready to be without a shadow aide when the new academic year starts in Jan.


I still need to help him when he drinks, during snack time, when nature calls, when he has to do a whole page of writing, to put on his backpack etc. I also remind him to collect his book or colour pencil (he might have a problem with transitioning from one activity to another).

During computer time, kids share a computer two to one, and I usually intervene to make sure he gets his share of using the mouse and help him so that he and his friend are not too far behind in completing the work as compared to his peers. Some of the kids display strong one-upmanship, and compete to see who finishes first. That irks me but I know it’s a normal part of childhood. Thankfully, he’s not bothered by it.

He has gained acceptance from his classmates. They perceive him as a baby (cos he still has chubby cheeks and requires help) and sometimes point out the funny way in which he moves or asks why I’m there. I’m very thankful that none of them have bullied him or called him names. In fact, one or two of them will sometimes help him (e.g. carries his water bottle or bag to him).

I hesitate to say that he’s made friends. His social skills are improving but still delayed and because of his dysarthria (speech disorder), slow movements (his CP), and self-consciousness, he doesn’t really play with others. He plays alongside them (e.g. he’ll be building his own Lego tower), or chooses to be next to them (observing them).

He’s started to mimic what they play. Just before the holidays, 2 girls went around with a tray of toy bricks shouting “Jelly, jelly!” (pretending to sell jelly), and promptly, he took a tray of Lego pieces copying them. Although no one could understand his pronunciation, he had fun and I was very happy to see that. This is one reason I don’t want to do homeschooling. At home, he pretends to be the teacher teaching me, just like in class when the girls pretend to teach the other girls (seems to be a ‘girl’ game).

It was a big challenge getting him enrolled in kindergarten and we had a rough start but I’m glad things have settled down (and he has settled into it).