Me! by Zeke Horsman at age 5 and 1/4
done at Broodside Christian Preschool
I had the delight of going to Zeke’s final parent/teacher conference of preschool yesterday. I was glowing with pride as I left, let me tell ya!
The only thing his teacher suggested that Zeke needed to practice, were his small motor skills. Things like printing, coloring, drawing, cutting, gluing. I had to nod in agreement, although I often wonder exactly how much I should expect from him in this area. He’s always been more about the large motor skills, imaginitive play, and building and constructing things. And I adore this about him!
Elijah, on the other hand, seems to have been born with incredible dexterity…he could print his name legibly when he was just 2 and 1/2. At his parent/teacher conference a few weeks ago, his teacher said that - hands down – Elijah had the best handwriting in the class, and she was amazed at the small details that he added to his drawings. I adore this about him!
Getting Zeke to practice things like printing, coloring and drawing is like pulling teeth…and this is where parenting gets tricky! It’s very tempting to compare siblings to each other, and I struggle with knowing exactly what expectations to put where! (Sigh) And just think, Noah, being so young, hasn’t even been added to the mix yet! And then there’s #4!
Anyway, Dave and I have made an executive decision to let Zeke be for the summer! He’ll only be five once, and we think he should enjoy it. He has his whole life to improve his handwriting skills…and besides, there are lots of successful people in the world with horrible handwriting. Maybe he’ll be a doctor!
todd potter
April 22, 2007 at 5:37 am
Sometimes I believe that people don’t improve some things because they are just not interest in doing it. Thre is only some much that we can do in a day why not do what we enjoy and improve those skills.
Jill Potter is one of the most talented person I know, yep I am biased. She is also hands down the worst hand writers I have ever encountered. When she pays for things with a credit card she is usually asked for picture ID as her signature does not match.
I bet Zeke is a better hand writer than she is now.
Grampie Horsman
April 22, 2007 at 6:35 am
How many teeth has Zeke lost and when did he start? This usually has more to do with small motor skill development than anything else. If the interest is there, this can compensate for physical development — as it was with Elijah. Can Grampies be as proud as Mums?
Janet
April 22, 2007 at 8:10 am
I agree, Todd…I mean, not that Zeke has better hand-writing than Jill (ha ha), but about doing what we enjoy, or naturally gravitate towards. I’m especially thankful for the school that Elijah and Zeke attend…it puts a lot of emphasis on this. While I know Zeke’s printing, coloring, ect. skills will improve next year at school, I’m glad he won’t be pressured to be “perfect,” or be compared to his classmates.
No Grampie, Zeke hasn’t lost any teeth yet…I forgot about that!
todd potter
April 22, 2007 at 11:02 am
i just red my post agin oblivously my strenth is not grammer and speeling.
HAHAHA.
Todd
Bethany
April 24, 2007 at 7:30 am
I was going to add something the teeth thing and then I saw that Dad already did. I’m a believer in that now. Duncan was terrible at his handwriting coloring all year in kindergarten. I mean, really bad, until about 3 weeks ago. Literally it seemed like overnight he improved. He now colors with great detail, staying totally in the lines, and his penmanship is totally better. Then it dawned on me. He has his first loose tooth. It’s crazy but I think there is some truth in Dad’s theory afterall.
Jilly
April 24, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I never heard about that tooth thing befor! So interesting? Has that been studied! Grampie Horsman your very insightful. I can’t remember learning to spell but I remember I couldn’t tie my shoes and I lost my teeth very late too! I remember being 5 and having fun though :O) But I also remember being embarassed that I couldn’t tie my shoes!? Which makes me think that maybe helping Zeke a little would be good incase he might feel behind…but I don’t know if little boys notice such things that way little girls do….interesting discussion!
Jilly
April 24, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Oh, I’d also like to say I knew this delightful artist in the city. I met him when he was 87. He at one time had been very popular locally…art shows…and all that fun stuff. Some of his work was painting and the rest was ink sketches…he drew images without taking his brush from the page…sold one for 100.000 and beleive it or not it looked alot like Zeke’s. I have one of his drawings still I think!
Janet
April 25, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Thsi is all so interesting. I will certainly be watching to see what happens when Zeke looses his first tooth! My kids seem to be late getting (as babies) and loosing teeth though, so it could be a while before I’m able to test the theory.