learning as we go

sunny is usually an angel at school. he likes to know the rules and follows them carefully. but today he got into a bit of trouble when he (and five or six others) were jockeying for different seats before circle time. debbie handled it just the same way i would have - she sent them all back to their chairs and had them practice coming to circle time again - the right way. this made such a huge impression on sunny, though, that it was the first thing he told me when i picked him up. " i had to go back to my chair during circle time, mommy." so we went and talked to debbie together, so i could get the full story (and not the three year old version). and i said to him, "what are you going to do next time?"
"not move around places with my friends," he told us both with a shy smile.

this is a far cry from the two year old sunny last year who, one day, decided to hit. several children. and objects. all in one day. (do you remember this story?)
i read him the riot act all afternoon and evening, and had consequences (age-appropriate) for him at home. the next day, when i picked him up, i asked hopefully, "did he hit today?"
"no," his teacher said hestitantly. "but..."
"what?" i asked apprehensively.
"umm. he kicked."

i think i like this age better. :)