Infant 3

Jack has recently made the move to the Infant 3 classroom at daycare. This is the last step before he enters the Toddler program. I don't know where the time has gone, but it is amazing all that he has learned in the past year.

The good thing about the Infant 3 room is that he is with older kids. He is not only the youngest but the littlest, and somehow, the loudest. It's funny to watch each kid's personality come through. There is Daniel, the strong & quiet gentle one; Zoe, the doe-eyed beauty bossy babe; and Jovie, the runner of the group. I am not quite sure yet where Jack fits in (and I am finding that you are ALWAYS biased about your own kid!) ... but we get hints from his teachers.

Something cool that we got today was Jack's first real "report card." We get a log each day of what he did, when he ate, when he pooped, etc., but this was the first Parent Conference Form outlining his skills. (Don't worry, he wasn't in trouble or anything. It's just something they offer to evaluate each kid.) It's funny, because you have things reaffirmed that you definitely knew about your child, and on the other hand, you learn that they truly do behave differently at school than at home.

According to this form, Jack has picked up some specific skills. These are word-for-word evaluations from his teachers:

• Jack seeks to remain in the company of familiar adults.
• Jack uses the facial expressions, gestures, and voices of others to guide his own behavior and feelings.
• Jack is becoming aware of the emotions of others. He will look up from play at a crying child or a group of children laughing.
• Jack attempts simple personal care tasks. (Not quite sure what this means, but it sounds pretty funny!)
• Jack is discovering that repeated actions yield similar effects.
• Jack demonstrates an awareness of a problem. He is able to communicate his needs with his teachers. (HA HA)
• Jack imitates the actions of his teachers; example: he will clap when he sees a peer or teacher clap.
• Jack responds to simple gestures and to the intonation, pitch, and volume of simple speech.
• Jack uses facial expressions, body positions and movements, and distinct cries or vocalizations to communicate.
• Jack will partner in conversation when spoken to. For example, he will babble back and forth with his teachers.
• Jack will engage books independently and as they are read aloud finds pleasure in the experience.
• Jack is very comfortable in his environment, only showing signs of distress when tired or hungry.

Of course, I skimmed quickly through all of that and jumped straight to the narrative. I figured that was my REAL clue as to how he was doing.

The direct comments from his teachers Stephanie, Jen, and Kate:

"Jack is a very happy baby. He enjoys interacting with his peers and teachers. He is very vocal and communicates his needs well to his teachers. He thoroughly enjoys sensory activities such as water play, painting, and shaving cream. He is very outgoing and comfortable with his environment. Jack enjoys his newfound freedom of movement and can be found exploring the classroom every chance he gets. Jack has bonded well with his teachers here at Mountainside and always greets everyone with a big sloppy smile."

I am so happy with his program and his teachers, and I am even more excited to hear how well he is doing. I see things on a quick, drive-by basis as I drop off or pick up, but to hear it all makes me feel so much better. Our kid really is as awesome as we think. Does this mean he got an A??? :)

Anyway, here are some pictures from this week. We upgraded out of the inflatable tub to a mat in the big tub. It's been a hit! He loves splashing in the faucet.

Spaghetti night was also a huge success! As you can see from below... so was doing wash later that night.