A New Chapter

Because of Punky's hearing loss, she gets special services through the school district.  For the past two years, we have been attending a parent/child class for kids with hearing loss.  Her D/HH (Deaf/Hard of Hearing) teacher, Cassie, also comes to our house once a month to work with Punky.  Cassie has been a tremendous support to BOTH Punky and I.  Punky loves Cassie's visits.  I am sure she has no clue that she is learning while having fun and playing with Cassie.  Plus, I am able to pick up on fun ways to incorporate learning and language skills into everyday play.  I am able to talk with Cassie when I worry about how her hearing loss will affect her in Middle School and High School (I know this is a long way off, but mothers worry).  Cassie has given us the tools to make Punky a confident girl who can advocate for herself.  Because of Cassie and the other special services that she receives, Punky is doing great, has no delays, and is excelling in many areas (4 year old cognitive and receptive language levels!).   

Punky and Cassie

Now that Punky is 3, the services through the school district change from a family-based approach to an individual/educational based approach.  So, that means no more parent/child class and no more home visits.  Boo.  Her last day at the parent/child class was last week.  Punky, Buddy and I are truly going to miss all the other kids, moms and teachers at the class.        

Teacher's Pet and Jenny, her school audiologist.   

In order to continue Punky's services after 3, we enrolled her in preschool.  We debated whether or not to send Punky to preschool for awhile.  She is pretty young, and will get over 2 years of preschool, but we also wanted her to keep getting additional help.  So, we visited the preschool a month ago, and Punky loved it!  We've been preparing her ourselves for the first day ever since.

  Preschool drop-off went well this morning.  As we were walking up to the building, Punky asked me if Cassie was inside waiting for her.  I had to remind her that she would have new teachers and new kids, but they were all very nice and she would have fun.  She also asked what Buddy and I were going to do while she was in preschool.  Apparently, she thought we should just wait in the car for her (for 2 hours!).  Once we got in, she sat right down by her name, and didn't look back.  I had to tell her to stand up and give me a hug.

Buddy and I had a good morning.  He tagged along with me while I tried on jeans and we also picked up a few groceries.  It was nice to push a cart with only one kid in it, but it felt odd seeing her carseat empty as we were driving.

At pick-up, the teachers said she had a good day.  the theme this week was Hawaii.  They made leis and a volcano with vinegar and baking soda.  On the way home, I asked Punky what Hawaii was and she said "Funny necklaces and a funny dance."  Her pick-up sheet said they did the limbo, but it really looked like Punky was trying to hula to me!

For one reason or another, Punky had in her mind that at preschool you paint and play the fishing game.  (During our first visit, the kids were playing a fishing game with a real swimming pool and pretend fish with letters written on them.)  Punky was so happy to play the fishing game again today, but apparently, she cried when they told her that her turn was over and she wouldn't hand the pole to the next kid.  There was no painting today, but the teachers promised her they would paint soon.  At pick-up time, she went up to a teacher and said, "I didn't get to paint today."  I asked her what her favorite thing at preschool was and she said, "Everysing".  It was a good day and I think preschool will be great for Punky. 

There are going to be many more transitions in the years to come.  Fortunately for us, this time around it was harder for us than it was for her.  She's going to adjust to this new chapter in her life just fine.  We just don't want to admit that Punky is now a preschooler and not a little baby anymore.