New Beginnings

After the exchange with her teacher Grace and I left the preschool and went straight to another preschool right by our house (and I mean we drove straight there).  At this point I didn’t care about academics any more.  I knew Grace was going to be a strong student.  She already knew her letters and sounds.  She could write her first and last name and count to 30 or so.  I cared about her social skills and the fact that she didn’t have one single friend at her previous school.  Not to mention the fact that she stood in the corner, scowling, and refused to speak.  I signed her up for a preschool connected to a gymnastics academy knowing that she would spend a fair amount of time in the gym playing.  This was what I wanted her to do.  She needed time playing, free of direction, so that she could make connections with other children.  The other good thing about the gym was that it reminded me of her occupational therapy.  It was basically a giant sensory gym.  Just what she needed.  

Grace started the following week.  I hesitantly went in to pick her up, worried about what her teacher would say.  Imagine my relief when I found out that Grace had had a great day!  She was smiling and happy.  It was like I had picked up a different child.  She had even made two little friends. 

A few days later one of her friends gave her a hug - something Grace would never have stood for before -  Gracie gave a funny laugh and awkwardly tried to hug her back.  The little girl, Zariah, laughed and Gracie laughed too.  They became great friends.  Zariah could always get Grace to try something new, and always get her to laugh. She was just what Gracie needed.  

Grace spent only 4 months at the gymnastics preschool.  But by June she was able to stand in front of all the parents and sing, do some basic “gymnastics” and receive her diploma.  I’m fairly certain her progress was due to developing a bond with friends, “sensory” time in the gym, and a more flexible teacher and choices.  I also think they are all connected.   Pulling her out of one school and putting her into another all in one day was perhaps an emotional decision, but I believe it was the right one.  

Gracie on her last day of preschool!