The Tale of Two Preemies: The Kid Who Failed Preschool

Monday, March 21, 2011

The Kid Who Failed Preschool

I remember talking about that kid and just this week my students were talking about it and asking how do you fail preschool?

Cole is going to be that kid. Kindergarten round-up was a couple of weeks ago, and we didn't go. I feel awful knowing that some day he may be teased for it, but on the other hand, it will be so much better for him in the long run, and that is what is important.

I've had a lot of people question our decision. Most of them try to do the "but he's smart!" comment. It's not about being stupid or smart. It's about being ready, and he is not. I've answered the questionnaires and we've gotten his spring progress report, and according to all the standards, he's ready. But he's not. He still struggles and I don't want school to be a struggle. I want him to be challenged, but I don't want him to struggle.

I'm sad to see this group of peers move on without him. He's not particularly attached to anyone, but I've known a lot of these parents since our preschoolers were babies. Some of them we'll meet again with Tate, but others will move on without us. It's the right decision, but a sad one too.

1 comment:

mrsolsenk12 said...: Nothing wrong with another year of preschool. Boys aren't always ready as early as girls. If that is what he needs than that is what he needs. Boys with summer b-days (like Cole) are borderline anyway.; 3/22/2011 6:29 PM

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Cole's Story

Cole was born at 30 weeks 3 days, much to our surprise, in 2006. I went in to the hospital because I wasn't feeling well and was afraid I'd get dehydrated. I ended up being air lifted to a larger hospital where Cole was born 24 hours later. He weighed in at 4 lbs. 2 oz. and was 17" long. He had some developmental delays, mostly due to acid reflux. He also had positional plagiocephaly and was in a remolding helmet for 6 weeks. At 14 months he underwent a cardiac catheter procedure to close his PDA. At 25 months he tripped getting out of his kiddie pool and broke his femur. He was in a cast from his hips to his toes for 4 long weeks. He also broke his shoulder at age 5 1/2. His latest medical drama has been a cyst in his left ear. He's had his adenoids removed and another surgery to remove the cyst. He'll have a second surgery in August. He's been through the ringer, but you'd never know it. He just rolls with the punches. He's 100% farm boy. He wants to know how everything works and why. He loves the farm. Farming is definitely in his blood.

Tate's Story

Tate was born at 34 weeks 2 days in 2008. Since I had a previous premature delivery, I was on high alert for another one. It didn't help. We had ultrasound after ultrasound and everything looked great. Tate, however, was not patient. I was admitted to the hospital with preterm labor. He held off for a couple of days, but was still born early. He weighed 5 and a half pounds and was 19" long. Fortunately he had no problems and was released from the hospital 3 days after he was born. He was born the middle child. He desperately wants to do what his big brother does, but has his own interests and wants Cole do to those with him. He's my trouble-maker, fit-thrower, and snuggle bug.