Did I handle this correctly? - 05/21/10 09:06 PM
DS8 came home from 2nd grade yesterday and told me that he was "embarrassed" because he was the only kid in the class who had two perfect timed math tests (I think these are really basic math fact quizzes - which quite frankly he would have done well on a year ago). I told him that he should never feel embarrassed about being good at something, and reminded him that he has challenges in other areas (writing, e.g.) and that everyone is extra good at some things and has challenges somewhere. I also reminded him of a girl we met at the park last year who had Down's syndrome who was super sweet and I said, "some kids are extra terrific at being nice and good friends, but have other challenges."
Then I realized that I was paying to much attention to his ability and not enough to his effort, so I also reminded him that he worked pretty hard last year on learning a couple of the math facts that were tricky for him (i.e. 7 + 6 and 8 + 5). This wasn't exactly true - I mean, they were trickier for him and he had to actually stop and think about them a few times, but they were not exactly a huge challenge). I tried to focus on the fact that he did put forth some effort to learn them (and pointed out that he is putting forth similiar effort to learn his 8 times tables).
It is such a little thing, and yet so big too. I hate the thought he is embarrassed by being good at it.
Cat
Then I realized that I was paying to much attention to his ability and not enough to his effort, so I also reminded him that he worked pretty hard last year on learning a couple of the math facts that were tricky for him (i.e. 7 + 6 and 8 + 5). This wasn't exactly true - I mean, they were trickier for him and he had to actually stop and think about them a few times, but they were not exactly a huge challenge). I tried to focus on the fact that he did put forth some effort to learn them (and pointed out that he is putting forth similiar effort to learn his 8 times tables).
It is such a little thing, and yet so big too. I hate the thought he is embarrassed by being good at it.
Cat