The Twinkies

Today was the kids’ third day of “school” as yesterday was a snow day. Snow days, by the way, feel very different from the parent’s perspective; they are not nearly as nice. J had a little separation anxiety for the first time and didn’t want me to leave. He was distracted by the water pitcher however and I slipped out and watched him through the one-way mirror. Once he had water to play with I was quickly forgotten. F never cares that I leave. Rather, I have trouble keeping her by her cubby in the hall long enough to get her coat off she is so eager to go in and get started.

When I returned to pick them up F was dipping the glue brush in the little glue pot. Well, she was actually dipping the wrong end of the brush. Another little girl took it from her and showed her how to use it correctly. I was somewhat surprised to see that F tolerated this and didn’t just yank the brush back. She is already picking up on the peaceful climate of the classroom. J seems to wander around the room whenever I watch them but F is always seated at one of the little tables engrossed in some activity, often food related. Spreading apple paste on bagel pieces seems to be one of her favorite tasks and though she has figured out how to use the little knife to get the paste from the dish rather than just grabbing it with her hands and eating it from her fist she is still licking it from the utensil rather than spreading the paste on the bagel. It really is fascinating to watch the Montessori directress take the knife (it’s a small spreader really) and in slow motion dip it into the apple paste and then smear it across the bagel. Then she hands the knife to F so she can try it. Slow, calm example followed by imitation. It’s still an imperfect imitation but I am amazed nevertheless at F’s calm focus and mimicry. This cannot be the same child who moved her little table to the gate across the kitchen later in the afternoon and climbed over, giving me her mischievous smile the whole time. “I’m so clever and so cute you aren’t going to stop me” that smile says.

By 10:00 J was ready to go but F stood with her nose pressed to the glass door of the classroom while I put her coat on. YCC doesn’t meet on Fridays and this weekend is a long holiday weekend because of President’s Day but on Wednesday they will try the full morning and stay from 8:30 until 11:45.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 14th, 2008 at 11:28 pm and is filed under 18 - 24 Months, Montessori. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.