This has been a big week for Nathan. On Monday morning he loaded the school bus for the first time to attend Special Needs preschool at our elementary school. Because Nathan is now 3 years old and is not yet walking without assistance from a walker, he qualifies for this wonderful program.
Nathan could go to the school 5 mornings per week but we're only sending him on M,W,F because he attends therapy at the hospital on T,Th mornings. The preschool has 3-5 year olds that have various developmental delays, although the majority of the kids have speech delays. Speech is definitely not a problem for Nathan and his teacher was happy to have him in the class so that he could be a good example for the other kids. In addition to all of the usual preschool activities like shapes, colors, drawing, snacks, etc., Nathan will receive physical therapy each day at school. His school therapist is wonderful and thinks he'll be walking on his own very soon.
Nathan is now doing well with his bus ride but was a little apprehensive the first day. He has to use his "ride" on the school bus because he's not completely adept at navigating stairs on his own. For safety reasons the school requires the "ride" which is strapped down once he gets on the bus. The first morning they put him on the lift he poked his bottom lip out, got sad and said, "I want Mommy." As you can imagine, it broke my heart and I was on the verge of tears. Jason and I got on the bus with him while they secured him and then, with our happiest faces, told him to have a great day at school. As soon as the bus drove off I looked at Jason and started crying. I was so worried about him and he's still such a little boy. Jason reassured me and took off quickly for work. A few minutes later Jason called to tell me that he had followed the bus to school and spied on Nathan while they were taking him off the bus. Jason said that Nathan seemed fine and that he had no more tears. I was so glad that Jason had done this and glad to know I wasn't the only one worried about him. When the bus dropped him off after school the driver said Nathan's morning tears lasted only about 15 seconds and that he'd done just fine. We also had a note from his teacher saying that he'd had a great day at school. Whew!
2 comments:
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Wow, what a big week for Nathan! I'm so glad that the bus ride ended up being a good experience and that he is doing well at school! The 3-year pictures of your kids turned out cute!
It is so hard sending our kids to school on the first day. The first one is always the hardest, but I have found it gets easier with each one. We'll have to see when my baby goes to school.
I'm glad Nathan had a good day and he adjusted well. He is such a sweet and handsome boy!!!
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