Kindergarten

After a few weeks of our new schedule, Emma is settling right in to Kindergarten. The Sunday following the first week of school, we did get a call from her teacher telling us all about Emma. She said that Emma is very respectful and does all that she is asked, but that she hasn't been engaging socially with other kids. She said that Emma has been pretty shy and keeps to herself quite a bit and has cried some during the day because she is sad. She assured us not to be nervous or worried about it and that some kids are just slower to adjust than others.

My first reaction? What? My Emma is shy? I have always seen her as an outgoing, confident, leader- among- her- little- friends girl. How can Emma not be reaching out to little kids?

However, as the literal shock wore off, I started to think about more about Emma and her past situation. She HAD been at the same daycare for 3 years and was incredibly comfortable there. At Sunday School, I was her teacher one year and she knew some of the kids the other year. For all of her swimming lessons, softball, etc, either Tim and I have been there. This was the first time she had been really on her own in a entirely new environment.

So, Tim and I have discussed this with Emma and talked to her about how to meet friends. We told her that it is okay to be sad and nervous and shy because other kids are too. But, we assured her that it will get easier and gave her some idea's for how to reach out to other little ones.

Now, a few weeks later, Emma seems to be doing much better. She is always excited for school and ready to go. She tells me she doesn't cry anymore during the day for me, which is fabulous! Emma tells us about her little friends and who she eats lunch with and plays with at recess.

All-in-all, it seems to be going well and I am so excited for her! She comes home singing the color songs she learned that day and shows me all the crafts she worked on. She was so excited the first day she brought home a library book and has her school pictures and first field trip tomorrow!

It is crazy to think about how big my little girl is getting, but so fun as well. Before you know it, she will be going to her first birthday party.