When the Special School first told me that my daughter would be starting Kindy in the second term I began dreaming about all the things I would do with my spare time, but as we got closer and closer to the big day I started feeling quite anxious. Will anyone be there to assist her with lunch? Would they understand her quirky little ways of communicating? Would they be kind to her? When she had one of her anxiety attacks who would be there to comfort her?
When her first day of kindy finally came around, I packed a carefully labelled lunch into her new backpack, made sure she had plenty of spare cloths and her drink bottle was filled to the brim. The previous night I washed her hair and trimmed her nails, and laid out a freshly ironed outfit for the big day. I have found over the years that when I am anxious about something I get to organising. That morning, with her hair in two plaits set with a little poka dot clip we got into the car and headed off to the Special School.
When I arrived at the class room the first thing I noticed was that the other little girls were much bigger then Elizabeth. One was even sitting at the computer playing a game. I soon found out that Elizabeth had been placed with a group of four year olds as the Head thought, as the girls were much more settled into school life, they would act as role models for Elizabeth. I saw straight away the wisdom in this decision as the classroom had an aura of orderliness to it that Elizabeth thrives on. Elizabeth’s teacher, Kieran, came up then and introduced himself. He was very young, just out of university, and incredibly good-looking (a rarity amongst male teachers). He showed me where to place her wash things, drink and lunch box. Whilst Elizabeth still refused to look at him at this stage, he had a gentle nature about him and I knew, given time, she would warm up to him.
But all this meant nothing to the tearful little toddler that was clinging to me. Since we arrived her crying was slowly getting more and more distressing. The teacher’s aide, Lydia, took her into the storeroom to pick out some toys to get her settled in, but she was not interested in anything other then her Mum. Kieran then put on some music, which seemed to settle her. When an 80’s classic came on she wriggled out of my arms and started dancing. Kieran repeated the song and she rewarded him by skipping up to him and giving him a beautiful smile and a shake of her hands, which I’ve come to know, is her way of greeting people. After this I quietly removed myself to the back of the classroom, letting Lydia take over as they settled down for circle time.
Elizabeth sat quite comfortably on Lydia’s lap as they say some songs and even watched Kieran with interest as he read them ‘Old MacDonald’. After this it was painting time, something Elizabeth absolutely detests and I was ready to see a tantrum unfold. Elizabeth allowed Lydia put on her apron then she sat quite happily at the table with the other girls waiting her turn with the painting. When it came her turn she didn’t pull away but stuck her fingers into the sticky paint and had fun making great splotches on the paper. This was her first piece of art that she created herself with no prompting from therapists or teachers. I have since framed it and placed it pride and place on the lounge room wall.
Seeing her quite happy and content I withdrew to the Parents Room where I would not be far if she got too anxious. For the next three hours I whiled away the time reading, enjoying the time to myself and yet knowing Elizabeth was only two rooms away. Once Barbara, the physiotherapist, popped in to say that Elizabeth was having a great time in the playground with the other children and that she looked very happy. With this reassurance I nestled back down to enjoy my book.
At one o’clock, anxious to see how she was going I popped back into the classroom. She was quite happily sitting at the computer whilst Lydia got the table ready for lunch. Once she saw me she came over and planted a large kiss on my lips then let Lydia lead her to the table where she sat with the other girls who were enjoying their lunch. She seemed completely relaxed in her surrounds. After lunch she did some more painting, then they all went next door for music and dancing with a group of little boys. Elizabeth had a ball and continued dancing long after the music stopped. She did not seem intimidated by the close proximity of the other children at all.
Then it was time for circle time and to say goodbye. Whilst the other little girls sat on their chairs Elizabeth was placed in a snuggle chair, that is a chair that wraps around on either side of her shoulders so she feels like she is getting a nice big hug. It was first suggested by her Occupational Therapist and works wonders for keeping her still and calm, plus it also frees up the Teacher’s Aide. Within five minutes of getting into the car Elizabeth fell asleep and slept for the next two hours.
I am now looking forward to next week and whilst I won’t be going no further then the Parents room, I plan to use those five hours to write and catch up on assignments secure in the knowledge that my daughter is having a great time. When Elizabeth was first born I would never have imagined that she would be attending a Special School a couple of years later. But I now send my daughter their with pride. With classrooms of no more then six children, excellent facilities and wonderful, supportive staff I know that I am giving her the best chance to grow up to be a happy, confident child. And really, that is all any parent can ask for.
