Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Junior Kindergarten




It sure has been awhile! All is well for those readers who might be worried. We've just been very busy with the move and with Bennett starting school. We also had major computer issues that we had to get fixed. Fortunately, they were able to save all my photos but unfortunately everything else was wiped out. I've got a lot of stuff to put back on the computer and have to search out all my favourite sites again. Definitely a lot of catching up to do blog wise - both reading and writing!

But in the meantime, here's a quick Bennett update. Back on September 9, he started JK. I've had a hard time wrapping my head around it though and I'm still not convinced that sending him is the right thing to do. He's only 3.5 and if he was born when he should have been born or even a few days later, we wouldn't even be considering school for another year. Because of the way the system works here, Bennett will pretty much always be the youngest kid in his class. This is a disadvantage for sure - combined with the fact that he has other disadvantages leads to a very stressed out mother. I'm not so worried about this year but more so, the long term effects of always playing catch up.

As of now, this is what Bennett's school day is like...In the mornings, he goes to the JK at our local Children's Treatment Centre where they follow a regular curriculum but pull the kids out to get their therapy. There are only 6 kids in the class with a teacher, an educational assistant and a couple of students. In the afternoons, I bring Bennett to our community school where he has an educational assistant but is in a class with 21 other kids.

So far, he seems to really like it and is adjusting well to the full days (9am-3:20pm). I drive him to the CTC in the morning and pick him up to bring him to his other school. At the end of the day he takes a very short bus ride home. I think that is one of his favourite things - on his first day riding the bus he had a HUGE smile on his face when the door opened. He's also been assigned a helper who's a little boy in grade 5. Bennett thinks the world of him and talks about him all the time.

I just don't know what will happen. We thought we would give it a try and see how it goes. We also plan on giving Bennett a lot of afternoons off - time when he can hang out with family and do other stuff. This JK transition has been hard - mainly on me.....

Pictures of the new house next....stay tuned....

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I just get lucky - and see that someone I know has just posted on someone else's blog! Very glad to read all is well in the Bennett household - well as well as a very stressed out Mom can be. He looks very mature in his jeans and flannel.

I'm having another blog carnival - still time to enter! (I might even take a late entry - only from very special Canadian friends!)

(other) Barbara

Anonymous said...

he is the cutest little man i know! he looks so grown up.
glad to hear he is enjoying school. our love to all of you,

auntie bean & uncle glen

Mo said...

I kept checking on you guys...glad school is going well.

Sheila said...

Sounds like Bennett is doing great! Don't worry about the catching up. Malayna will be 6 at the end of the month and she's just starting Kindergarten this year and they expect it to be a 2 year process because she's so delayed. It's hard for my Momma heart to think of her being 8 when she enters 1st grade but it's the best thing for her so I try to accept it. We have to try not to think about the future and take it one day at a time. I know...easier said than done. I think these things are harder on us than they are on them, at least for now.

Anonymous said...

So glad to get an update on my little 'Pumpkin'. I truly missed his/your blog entries. I hope to arrange a visit next week - if Bennett has any free time left that is - with being in school more hours now.
Give Bennett a big SMOOCH for me.

Antie Gates

Mummu and Poppa said...

So good to have 'the little family' back on the Blog.

As the famous George Burns said 'age is just a number' Young - Old in the big picture what does it all matter? Remember that George was about 98 when he stated this - so he should have know best.

We are sure that we all know some 'older' folk who do not act their age and some 'younger' folk who are very mature.

We are all different and we learn to live and accept our differences.

We don't know many youngsters in CTC but from what we have experienced while visiting the CTC classroom is that Bennett can, and does, certainly 'work the crowd' and comes across 'the winner'.

Bennett's life at CTC is based on experiences - from when he walks in the door to when Mommy comes to pick him up at noon.

We know that Mommy and Daddy (as did we) had some reservations about JK (since Bennett had really started 'to shine' with his verbal skills, walking and running and even sharing some French with Grandma. We say - you can't keep this kid down - Bennett is so up-beat.

We are sure that Mommy and Daddy can see (as we do) the benefits and pleasures of JK - from learning to make himself understood, to making new friends in his classroom, to calling his school teachers and custodian by name and all his 'new friends' on the School Bus. All of this is a really 'Big Deal' for a 'not-yet-four-year-old'.

Bennett is a true lover of people and making everyone he comes in contact with feel special - as he is special. He is eager to try and learn new things. So far, life has been a blast for him at both schools. Keep up the good work Bennett, Mommy and Daddy! We are so proud of all of you.

Life is all about experiences and JK has offereed Bennett new adventures as he literally grows from a 'little boy' to our 'little man'.

As a Mummu I know that the hardest thing is to think that we are letting go of our children but really, Mommy and Daddy and Bennett's whole extended family, we are not 'letting go' we are joining in and enjoying Bennett's growth - socially, physically and spiritually as all his contacts have so helped him come to this stage in his life ... let's think back to when we did not know if he would walk or talk - thinking back is nice but looking ahead is so much nicer!!

Anyway, keep up the good work. Mommy, you will survive this and you and Daddy and Murphy are doing a remarkable job of sharing, teaching and loving.

God bless!

Lots of hugs and kisses

Poppa and Mummu
xxx ooo xxx ooo xxx ooo xxx ooo

Dawn said...

Oh my gosh Barbara - I can't believe it had been almost 2 months! Glad you are back.

How wonderful that Bennett is liking PK. that is great news. We are in the same boat with Austin being the youngest in his class. I question often and think we may have made a mistake pushing him on so early. But other times he seems ok comparatively speaking. Oh the wonders.

Can't wait to see the new house!

Unknown said...

I'm so glad to hear things are going so well for Bennett - and I can appreciate how difficult it is for you Barbara. We join you in wanting to protect Bennett in every possible way, but it seems he wants to live it all to the full - no exceptions. I'm sure Bennett will be your best barometer of what he needs to do re being in JK. Hope all continues to go OK. Lots of love,
Auntie Bonnie

Barbara said...

Barbara - He does look like a very grown up boy in flannel and jeans. I'll be checking out your latest blog carnival - as you can see in my latest post, we've been camping again (a love I know you and I both share) so I won't have an entry this time :(

Auntie Bean - I agree - he's the cutest little man around!

Mo - I look forward to getting caught up with you as well!

Sheila - I couldn't agree more. I really try to live in the moment and take one day at a time. Hopefully both our kids have a great year. I too think it's harder on us - especially right now.

Auntie Gates - I gave Bennett two Smooches!! Ok...maybe more than that - he is quite smoochable!

Mummu - You're right - our guy has come a long way! He just loves people so much - I think everybody knows him already. As long as he's having a good time I'll try not to worry too much.

Dawn - I look forward to catching up with your family as well! The school thing is hard. I'm worried that the age factor (combined with other stuff) will become more of an issue later. Like you, I'll probably go back and forth as time goes on.

Auntie Bonnie - You're very right - Bennett will be the best judge of whether he's ready or not. We'll just have to work with his teachers as much as possible to keep an eye on things. Right now - he's really enjoying himself - so I'll try and enjoy it too!