Our Parent/Teacher Conference

I had my first parent/teacher conference! Sure...Joaquin is only 17 months old, but it's never too early to start setting expectations around learning and development. We got a little report card for him from his teacher at daycare.

Here are some of the items that Joaquin got an 'A' in (A for Always):
--Climbs on any available object
--Stops and picks up objects
--Imitates adults
--Shows empathy (my favorite...so nice)
--Throws trash away!
--Knows own cubby
--Waves and says 'bye- bye'
--responds to music

Here are some of the items that Joaquin got a 'S' in (S for Sometimes):
--Points to named object
--marks with crayon, marker
--tries to sing
--makes animal sounds (he tries...i asked him last week what a dog says and he said "Hoo-Hoo"...then I asked what a cat says, and he said "Hoo-Hoo". So we're still working out the details on what the animals actually say)
--attempts to put shoes and hat on

Here are the items that Joaquin got an 'N' (N for Never). We've had a talk with Joaquin and we should see some quick improvements. I mean..it's not like any of these are hard....
--Enjoys new tactile experience (Joaquin hates painting-they only get him to paint if they offer him a brush!)
--Pulls pants up
--watches shadow
--puts simple puzzles together
--Shows hand preference
--Recognizes own art work.

I hope you all know that we don't take this too seriously - and it was a nice way for us to connect with his teachers on what he is doing. I asked his teacher what makes Joaquin unique and she said that he is very gentle with the other kids - and always gives hugs and kisses. He loves to be social but likes his alone time too and will sit and work on something by himself for a while. He loves loves loves to be outside. Pretty nice, don't you think?

So, if he never learns how to pull up his pants, I will still be a proud mama if he grows up and gives hugs and kisses, likes to be outside and is happy being social or spending time by himself sometimes. Hmmmmm...some people might be uncomfortable if he does those things without pants on......maybe we'll work on the pants thing.