Amazing Progress

It's been 2 months since Isabelle started full day playgroup. Exclude the 2 weeks she was out due to bronchitis, 1 week when we were back in Malaysia - she has only officially been in school for 5 weeks. However, in this rather short period, I can only say, its been a dramatic and amazing change in her.

1) The tantrums are almost gone now. I'm not sure what has happened in school, but when she doesn't get her way at home and starts to bawl... I tell her nicely NO and why, and then walk off...and she calms herself down and runs after me, and a big hug & kiss makes things all well again. I don't want to say too much lest i jinx it since the terrible 2 phase is approaching, but I'm definitely pleased for now.

2) Isabelle comprehends a lot more now when I talk to her, especially that she needs to wait when mummy is cooking or she needs to feed herself while mummy does the dishes. So while juggling household chores in the past was a tremendous stress cos I had t keep a close watch on her, now I can focus on getting a specific chore done (though I do limit to 5-10 min at a time)knowing that she is behaving herself, either flipping a book, watching tv or playing on her own or just simply standing by my side observing the chores I do.

3)Finally she is packing up her toys after play...on her own, with no instructions from us. Sometimes we tell her it's time to go out, put on your shoes! And Isabelle follows us towards the door...only to turn back, cos she realised her toys are still scattered about, and quickly packs them up (i.e. just throws them into the box)!

4)Her vocabulary has increased so much in the last couple of weeks. She is starting to verbalise a lot more, pointing to pictures & objects which she knows, and trying her best to say them out. Even songs & rhymes, she wants to join in to sing the parts she knows.

5) Mention the word "SCHOOL", and she responds with "Aisa". Aisa is this little gal who looks so much like Isabelle, not much hair..and rather boyish looking at some angles, who has a Japanese mother & Chinese father. They are like best friends now, cos we parents drop the kids & pick them up at about the same time everyday (i.e. 745 in the morning, 630 in the evening).

6) Isabelle is finally eating all the different food introduced at school. She started out being very picky, refusing bread & eggs for breakfast, cakes & buns & pau or sandwiches for tea. But recently Ms Amy updated me that she wants to join the rest of the kids and eat. Her favourite is still the pandan chiffon cake, of which she can eat many many slices (as much as the boys!!! LOL). Xiang Lao Shi was so nice to pack some for her to bring home the other day.

7) Isabelle waves me goodbye now & blows me flying kisses. As a mother, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing your own child loving school. The smile of delight when she walks into school, looking forward to seeing her teachers & friends...and catching a glimpse of her playing with her friends when I pick her up...it warms my heart to know she is safe and had a happy day.

I wasn't expecting so much from the school honestly. I was just looking for a place for her to go to when the helper went home, and was open to the possibility that we may need to change schools later on if required and if this wasn't the place to be. But I'm pleased to say, the teachers and support staff have made this school the place to be. I can feel the warmth from the smiles I get, from the cleaners to the kitchen aunties, and I know they dote on the kids....cos I've seen them giving the kids snacks & little knick knacks & chatting with the other parents. Today I met my neighbour and they have a pair of twins of Isabelle's age and looking for a childcare too, and they commented that the school looks rather old, shabby. I seriously can't deny it. There are no fancy toys, slides, sand pits etc...the walls seriously need a new coat of paint, the kitchen & bathrooms look old. But it reminds me of a home if you've lived in it for 10-15 years. And it doesn't really matter how old our home looks, its the love that fills it that's important. And so for now, we are happy!