This is a classic Overthinking-mama post. There's no problem in sight, I'm just trying to get some ideas about where to go from here, and you guys actually think about things
DS 2:2 went to summer camp this week. It's the first time he's done a regular daycare type arrangement. It was 2 hrs/day for 5 days. In many ways, it went as I would have predicted, but there were surprises as well. Because we're currently looking for part-time daycare for him for September or October, I'm looking for all the advice I can get. On anything, no matter how tenusously related
As predicted: He LOVED day 1. Desperately wanted to go back for day 2. Did not want to return after that. Went today reasonably happily because I told him it was the last day and you never want to miss the LAST DAY. He had a lot of questions for me, about the room they were in, the stuff they did, etc. It was clear from these questions that the counsellors did not answer his questions very completely or consientiously. I suspect they did not understand his speech well enough to realize what he was saying. By the end of the week they described him as "quiet and very well behaved." They also noted his vehemence on a number of issues, each time it sounded like they were a little taken aback by it. One of these was something he brought up with me... His version: He had questions about the fire truck they toured, and didn't get a chance to ask any at all. Their version: He had a real tantrum when asked to leave the fire truck, but calmed down quickly. There was an ongoing food issue. His version: he ate a couple of bites of his snack but wasn't hungry. Their version: He really didn't want to eat (gah oh no & he was VERY vehement), but ate it all in the end. I'm a little mystified by that one... why would they lie? (He never snacks with me, just 3 meals, he's never hungry and I gave up offering a long time ago. I just carry some food incase he asks).
Surprising: He did a LOT of doing as he was told. I was snooping at one point, and saw them call him back from playing with something to the circle. He resisted a little, but then planted himself directly infront of the presenter and made the biggest little effort I've ever seen to sing every word and do every motion just so, for the rest of the circle. It was an "is that my kid?" moment. It was also a bit surreal, because all the other kids were just kinda zoneing out on the carpet. Anyway, I thought it was an insanely mature solution for a 2 yr old to come up with... almost too mature? Also the toys were... odd. I'd have thought they were c. 6mo aged, mostly, with dollhouses added. And there weren't very many of them. No trains, only a couple of cars, no puzzles, except I think I saw a 4 peice shapes peg puzzle. No big gross motor toys at all, except the parachute. A lot of art supplies, but the projects were very prescriptive, and DS didn't even know what two of them were supposed to be for (he asked me when he gave them to me).
I'm getting used to him being described as "very well behaved" now, but it still seems wierd
I'm thinking we should look for 2 or 3 mornings a week and not more than that, since he seemed under-stimulated being in the same room all week. And I think we need to focus on staff who listen carefully and answer questions well. It bugs me that he got quieter as the week went on (we know from SLP that hsi articulation is average, but his expressive language is.. not, and that he's already developing a lot of behaviors that resemble an older kid with an articulation disability) Also, I think maybe less enforcment of seat-time. I was quite put off when he asked me about the decor of the room, since it seemed like he'd asked why there were letter and number train posters and so on, and neither gotten answers nor any reference to the posters in any other context... So... why WERE they there? At least answer questions about them! Or take them out, I don't think it's necesary to have them in a 2yr room.
Ok, everyone, throw some spagetti at the wall, let's see what sticks
I guess I'm trying to get my head around what type of environment to look for for him. I want him to be comfortable, and not bored, and to have some social time without me.
-Mich
