Jack's Progress Report

Yay! Another progress report from Jack's teachers at daycare! We were thrilled to read all about our little man:

• Jack seeks familiar adults as a secure base when around new people and new situations.
• Jack uses others' facial expressions, gestures, or voices to guide his own behavior. Jack will do things like try to climb on the table until he sees you frowning and shaking your head "no."
• Jack has begun to participate in group routines. He is starting to do all the activities with his friends throughout the day, although sometimes he misses out on things to take his morning nap. (HA! That's my boy!!)
• Jack is able to walk across the room, starting and stopping. He is able to throw a ball overhand, using both arms, while standing, and is trying to catch balls that are thrown to him. He is slowing gaining the coordination to start running.
• Jack learns how objects work by watching others handle them.
• Jack continues to demonstrate an awareness of a problem and is beginning to apply problem-solving strategies.
• Jack imitates the actions of others. Jack will clap his hands after seeing his friends clap to music.
• Jack responds to simple gestures and to the intonation, pitch, and volume of simple speech. Jack stops whimpering when you talk in a quiet, soothing manner.
• Jack gestures, babbles, and combines sounds to communicate, using the rising and falling patterns of adult speech. He combines sounds such as "Ba-da" and is starting to say a few words, such as "Uh-Oh."
• Jack exchanges single words, word-like sounds, and gestures with others. For example, he says "ba ba ba" when you say, "where's the ball?"
• Jack recognizes and shows a beginning understanding of pictures. Jack will vocalize when pointing to a picture.
• Jack scribbles spontaneously. He is able to hold a crayon or marker and move his hand all around the paper.
• Jack only becomes distressed when he is tired, or when another child takes his toy.

Finally, the narrative:
"Jack is a very active boy," (understatement of the year) "who enjoys doing all activities set out for him. He likes to climb on the climber and enjoys building with blocks and throwing balls around with his friends. He also likes crawling through the tunnel while looking at his family pictures. Books are also a favorite before and after naptime."

We are thrilled (again!) with his evaluation. He is progressing right on course and we are so proud!