Building Patience and K's writing

Yesterday, a friend told me about a book which references kids raising us as parents, addressing how our children give us the opportunity to grow as we spend time with them.  I have seen this lately during my time with K (and with each of the children) as he has been working. 

About a month ago,when we were working on the deck, I felt like K was dillydallying while he wrote his letters from his board.  He wanted to erase the chalk off the deck when the letters did not look exactly as he wished and hewas just moving slowly, and I admit that I was getting frustrated. After some time, I remembered that he was simply doing his best and I relaxed, giving him the space, time and encouragment he needed.  In the end, he did a great job.  He wrote the entire alphabet, upper and lower case, and stuck with it until he finished.




Starting out

Some of his final work

A similar scenario occurred this week.  K begin using a regular pencil as he began a new workbook. It was a new experience for him and frustrating for him sometimes (and for me too), and he wanted to give up (i.e., stop working in the workbook). Of course, with the transition and adjustment, his writing fell off some. I had to keep reminding myself to give him the time and encouragement he needed (even though, at times, I was not). There was more erasing and rewriting than usual, but he has gotten so much better just over the course of three or four days of practicing. He also recognizes and takes joy in the fact that his writing has improved. Additionally, I was amazed at how neat his handwriting was when he wrote some numbers on his magnetic board after working with the pencil all week.  When compared with other things, writing takes a great deal of focus and concentration for K.  I am very proud of him!

Some of K's work from the end of the week

These are only two situations of many involving learning with the children.  As a parent and my children's teacher, I feel I am working on my patience, more often than not.  But it is a blessing.  I am grateful (usually after the fact) that I have the opportunity to learn and grow along with them.