Thursday, December 18, 2008

Reading After Lights Out

I just walked into the girls' room to do my nightly "peek and tuck," and found them both still awake at just after 9 p.m., an hour after lights out. I don't know what Pebbles was doing all that time, but Nutmeg was hunched over a book, and when I told her to put it away, she said, "I'll just get to the end of this chapter."

Can I just take a moment to mull over the fact that my little one has gone from reading her first picture book to chapter books in just a few months? The book was Judy Moody Saves the World
, which according to Amazon is for ages 6 to 10. Being 2 years ahead in reading doesn't surprise me; her father and I both have memories of reading books meant for kids several years older and I don't think it's that unusual. What makes my head spin is the speed with which she went from I Like Stars to Judy Moody. What lies ahead for this kid?

And since I'm going on about my girl, I want to tell you about a little talk I had with her teachers today, on the last day of school for 2008. As Nutmeg gave them the apple pies I baked for their Christmas gifts, they told me that Nutmeg was really "blossoming." I told them that I'd been talking with my parents this very afternoon about how much progress she had made since joining their class. She used to have a lot of trouble playing with other kids, and would often get angry and push or hit. She's not behaving perfectly even now, but she has made so much progress. Today when my parents took her to the indoor playground they watched as another kid grabbed something away from her and she just rolled with it.

I think it has a lot to do with her nursery school and the calm, loving atmosphere she's in there.

"We know there's nothing to worry about with Nutmeg academically," the teachers told me. "She's a star in that regard. So we work on the other stuff."

OK ladies, could you maybe keep teaching my kid for the next 12 years? The school year still has five more months to go, and I'm already dreading having to tear the kid away from these wonderful teachers.


Unknown said...

i was just thinking the same thing today as i walked away from the paloma's teacher for christmas break... as we make plans to move back up north, i worry that lightning won't strike twice and that we won't find teachers as caring, trustworthy or reliable as the her current teacher.

and apples pies for the class!!?? now you're just showing off!! :)

Sara said...

Yep, it's a wonderful thing when you're able to find a great group of teachers that is able to pinpoint your child's strengths and opportunities for improvement and help your child grow and blossom. Grace's teacher this year is a gem and I'm excited because I know the K5 teacher pretty well (she's actually Grace's baton coach, so she know Grace well, too), so I know that at least I have this year and next year covered. :-)

I am so impressed by Nutmeg's reading skills. That girl is destined for great things!!!

Kim Moldofsky said...

LOL, your title caught my eye because I recently had to confiscate several flashlights form my 10 y.o because he stays up late at night reading and then is tired the next day at school. It's not such a cute habit anymore for us.

There will be other wonderful teachers in her future, no doubt. But there will also likey be some that will leave you tearing your hair out. I know that feeling of wishing they could stay with a great one. I'm sure you will see a continued growth; enjoy the rest of the year.

Jenny, the Bloggess said...

I'm feeling the exact same way about Hailey's school, which only goes up to kindergarten. I have no idea what I'll do after that...