Explaining Age Six

My first grader's teacher sent home some pages from a book called Yardsticks by Chip Wood (didn't catch the punniness of the author's name until just now).  The book explains child development milestone, especially how they manifest in the classroom and in the child's approach to schoolwork.  Mrs. P. sent home the pages for ages six and seven, and I found the the age six descriptions highly reassuring.  Teddy seems exactly on track with they yardsticks provided here.

A few excerpts:

"The importance of friends now rivals the importance of parents and teachers in the child's social development.  Classrooms full of six year olds are busy, noisy places.  Talking, humming, whistling, bustling are the order of the day.

"'ndustrious' describes the overall behavior at six.   S/he is now as interested in school work as spontaneous play.  Children delight in cooperative projects, activities and tasks.  No job is too big, no mountain too high.  However, their eyes can be bigger than their stomachs or skills, and sixes risk and overpowering sense of inadequacy and inferiority as they tackle new frontiers.  Teachers and parents need to remember that, at this age, the process is more important than the product."

For a parent focused on achievement and competence, that last sentence and the whole notion of new ambition in my six-year-old were helpful reminders.  Spelling comes, eventually.

Finally, the narrative closes with a statement whose superlative tone struck me:

"The eagerness, curiosity, imagination, drive and enthusiasm of the six year old is perhaps never again matched in quantity or intensity during the life span."

Wow.  OK.  Savor those qualities and do not quash.  Savor those qualities and do not quash.  Six - like every age - passes so quickly.

Monday Chart: Developmental Milestones

Guest Author: Riding the Rabbit

Charlie brought home a school assignment this week that demonstrates exciting (to me) progress in composition. In a structured assignment to write a personal narrative about a life experience, he wrote about riding his first roller coaster. I've noticed a trend of parents posting on facebook their utter shock that their child has reached a certain age (6 months, 10 years, 16 years, 38...ok, not 38). While I can understand this sentiment of a milestone sneaking up on a parent, it amazes me more to be able to watch my kids develop. As Charlie strings together paragraphs like those below, Teddy asks why it says 7-1-D on the back of the bus. It's safe to say that neither one of them could have accomplished these tasks four months ago.

His mother's genes gave him the memory for detail displayed below. My genes contributed over the top emotions and a proclivity for the broad pronouncement.

Riding the Rabbit
Charlie Forster, age 8

Never, ever in my life have I been more proud of myself than on my 6th birthday. I was at Kennywood with my Mom, my Grandparents, my Dad and Uncle. My Mom and I were waiting in line for the Jack Rabbit. Finally, it was our turn to ride.

First, we got in and sat down. I was so excited! I couldn't wait for the ride to start! I got buckled up. The loudspeaker announced the start of the ride.

Next, the Jack Rabbit pulled away from the station. The Jack Rabbit went oh, so very fast. Boy, did I scream. It kept going as if to never, ever end.

Last, the Jack Rabbit sped through a pitch-black tunnel. It slowed and came to a stop in the station. I beamed and said, "I did it!" It felt great to accomplish riding my first roaler (sic.) coaster. I learned the Jack Rabbit is an awesome roaler coaster. It will give you a highlight of the day. I will still ride the Jack Rabbit for years to come.