Today, I went to Sophie's school for our termly PTM. I planned to do meet her teachers at 1.30pm, then fetch her home at 2.30pm after her dance. As I walked in, she saw me from the glass panel and started telling her friends, "That's my mummy!" and waved at me with a tired but happy smile on her face. She was eating her lunch. I cringed mentally at the thought that she might start to clinge onto me and cry when I had to speak to her teachers. I hesitated and did not approach her, she kept her gaze on me and put a spoonful of rice into her mouth. I could almost hear her say, "Look Mom! I am eating myself!" I signalled to her that I was going to the office, she nodded and went back to eating and chatting with her friends. I was surprised. No intention or whatsoever of throwing herself at me? Woah..
I met 3 teachers today - Ms Valarie (Montessori), Ms Nicole (English) and 高老师 (Chinese). I must admit I was quite worried that they might tell me how "disruptive", "talkative" or "hyperactive" she has been in school. I was mentally going through different ways of apologising to them on her behalf. I only have one question in mind, "Is she ok in school?" For the past year, we have been troubleshooting. First it was the transition to school hours, independence and conforming to authority, then it was the arrival of Alfee and the strong sense of sibling rivalry, finally her toileting became an issue as well. So all I really want to know was is she doing fine in school? Is she happy, at least?
Ms Valarie started on her progress in Montessori class. Apparently, she has been doing very well. They have a checklist of tasks and she has not been skipping any. She is "above average" according to her teacher. She could read a couple of words (without the help of pictures) and she could count to 19. On top of that, she could focus in class a lot better now, compared to just a few months ago. Contrary to what I thought, she actually enjoys reading and she loves to grab a book to read to her friends. She loves to sit her friends down in front of her and read to them like a teacher. She knows her continents (apparently) and she does her work without much fuss.
Ms Nicole, her structured class teacher, said she was able to sound all the letters taught to the class already. I think they have covered half the alphabet. In Cherrybrook, they use The Spalding Method so all the sounds of each letter are taught at the same time when the letter is introduced. She can also read a few words, to her surprise, like "cat" etc without any cues. Lovely to know. Our tutor was quick to add that it is her mummy's hard work. I felt really glad that it is happening the way we all have hoped. Sophie is finally starting to read, for real!
Sophie's Chinese has improved tremendously since the start of her school this year. Her Chinese teacher,
高老师, was beaming when she came into the meeting room. She praised her for being very attentive and able to remember most of whatever she has taught her. She taught we have been teaching her and speaking to her in Mandarin at home. We have been more conscious but we are equally amazed by her progress. In short, she felt that she is very happy with Sophie's learning.
I am very glad to have spoken to Sophie's teachers. I needed very badly to know she is alright in her learning. Although she is not a genius in the making, she is progressing quite well. There is no real worry in any specific area of her learning. She is starting to stablise and focus, and she has friends in the school. In fact, I was told she is quite popular among the children in her class. Phew... we cleared a stage. Let's move on...
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