Parent Teacher Conference

This morning Dean and I had Noah's parent teacher conference.  Each year, there is a fall and a spring assessment that is reviewed at these meetings.  Noah is finishing his second year at the school, so this is our fourth meeting of this kind.  Instead of reviewing the results of the testing as done in previous meetings, Dean and I took the opportunity to talk to Mrs. J in specific terms about Noah and his progression at the school.  He is having a really good year, and we have seen a lot of progress since last summer.  We are happy.  Noah still has some trouble with staying on task and regulating his body, but his language has really improved and he is definitely made some strides in social interaction among peers.  Dean and I are very excited that Noah will be moving up to Pre-K next year.  Way to go, Noah!

When I got home that afternoon, I got a chance to actually read over the testing report.  The test administered is the Brigance assessment.  It is a standardized test whereas scoring gives an indication of whether Noah has mastered certain skills or if these are still objectives. The report is grouped in sections of gross motor, fine motor, speech and language, academics, daily living skills and social and emotional development. Each section has a serious of questions where Noah is scored with either a M (mastered) or an O (objective).  The start of each section has a short write up by the teacher.  And, finally the general comments by his home room teachers.  Here are some of the highlights from the report.

Noah has always been a sweet child and a pleasure to work with.  He likes to be at school and enjoys circle activities or any job that we might give him.  He likes the circle jobs so much that he wants to do all his classmates jobs too!  He has worked hard on his patience and turn taking and now gives his friends a chance to answer questions and do their jobs. 

Noah enjoys his friend and plays with them for short periods of time as long as he can control the situation.  He is getting better at giving up some of that control.

[Noah] does need sensory input to help him regulate himself and able to focus on a task.  It is as simple as giving him a time and a place to "get his sillies out."  Noah will quickly rein himself in and continue to work.  He likes to be with the group, so at times he may not want to take the time he needs and will get upset if the teacher suggests he take a moment.  Allowing Noah to be involved in and make these decisions for himself has helped him to become more confident, and he is showing more self regulation. 

Noah likes to be active, takes his turn, and encourages friends to take theirs.  He loves movement to music improving his imitation skills and movements. 

Noah can write his name independently and use scissors to cut.  Noah can also draw a picture of a person independently.  He even likes to add hair and/or hat. 

Socially, Noah has made a lot of progress this year.  He really loves being with his friends in his class and is playing more with them.  During floor time, he is getting better at playing near his friends and with his friends without climbing on top of them or over them. 

He loves table games and easily catches on to the rules.  He is getting better at waiting his turn and is able to focus more during group games. 

During snack, he has learned to raise his hand when he wants something.  He is still working on keeping a quiet mouth and waiting his turn to speak, however.  He independently cleans up after himself and waits patiently with a book until his friends are finished. 

I loved reading all the comments from his teachers, and I especially loved reading words like, "confidence," "patience," "friends," and "taking responsibility."  I am so proud of the big changes in Noah this year, and I can't wait to see what next school year will bring.