We had our parent/teacher conference last night with the Girl Child's pre-school teachers. We send her only 3 days a week and all but one of the other children go 5 days a week. We thought that the other 2 days would be good for other things, seeing her grandmother, playdates, etc. Her teachers all had very nice, albeit not very specific, things to say about her: she listens well; plays well with the others; wants to do and does everything they ask of her; and, is just a pleasure to have around. But I could sense an implicit criticism about our decision to have her there for only three days a week. So I finally asked, did they think we should have had her there for all five days? And the head teacher kinds of looks away, and looks back, and purses her lips and blows a stream of air out and says:
Teacher: Do you want an honest answer?Me: No, lie to me.
Fortunately, she laughed. I really have to learn to watch my mouth.
Posted by Random Penseur at November 12, 2004 02:31 PMTHAT'S IT!!!
I *knew there was something that endears me to you (aside from the obvious) and that you blurt things like this out reminds me sooo much of my husband.
Things like -- during the yearly physical, during the "turn your head and cough" portion of the ordeal, the red-headed female doctor said to him: "You know, you should do this once a month," to which my husband says: "What's your address."
Fortunately, she didn't catch it, or didn't want to bring him up on charges. Because she said "What did you say?" and he said "Nothing," and that was the end of it. But yes, he does the VERY SAME THING. And it's hilarious. [grins]
xoxo
Posted by: Margi at November 12, 2004 03:18 PMThe only difference between me and him is that I might have looked at the Doctor and said, "and insurance covers this? Is this country great or what?"
Posted by: RP at November 12, 2004 04:57 PMYou said: "I really have to learn to watch my mouth"
No, you don't. People need to learn to not ask stupid questions instead. :-)
Posted by: Amber at November 12, 2004 05:36 PMThat is an excellent point, Amber.
Posted by: RP at November 12, 2004 10:53 PMWhat's wrong with three days a week? Why should children be placed in pre-school five days a week? Does the teacher think handing young children away from their parents to the 'experts' for as many hours as possible is the optimum approach? Why not just put the kids in boarding school from the age of 18 months?
Sorry, but this touches a nerve. When we were shopping around for day-care centers that would take the kids a few hours a day for a few days a week, we were struck by the ones that wanted the kids all day, or not at all. Wouldn't folks in the childcare biz see the benefits of kids being with their real parents as much as possible, and want to encourage flexibility to make this so?
I think many ed school types, meantime, adhere to the "it takes a village" philosophy and feel that kids from a very young age need to be in school as many hours as possible, with before- and after-school services, as well.
At any rate, I don't see anything wrong with your comment. Cheers, MCNS
I think we are very much in agreement here, Mark. We wanted her to have time to be 3 1/2, to go to the zoo or the children's museum, or to stay home and be silly. Not all education happens in the class room by any means. As for the ed school types, well, maybe they are just trying to justify their budget lines, you know?
Thanks, for your thoughtful comment.
Posted by: RP at November 13, 2004 03:39 PM