Yesterday Mandolin climbed out of her crib for the first time. I really thought she'd never do it, so it was a wonderful surprise. I know some kids never accomplish the crib climb, but every example we've met has been worse off than Mandolin in the disability area. There's a long list of things she's never been able to do, and might not ever do. We usually just ignore it when people ask us about it. People get so catty when their kid does something yours can't.
While Mandolin's ahead vocally and socially, she's still months behind when it comes to problem solving and physical accomplishments. Months doesn't seem like a lot, but for infants and toddlers, it's like having a child in 6th grade performing at the 3rd or 4th grade level. It's a big gap. We pretend we're not worried, or that nothing is wrong, but behind closed doors, we're worried. Being able to find solutions to problems is a large part of how we define intelligence in our society. Sure there's the multiple intelligences etc., but in reality, if you can't solve a basic problem, like how to reach something on a top shelf, life will be hard for you.
A few months back we had to decide which "track" to put her on. People who think that kids aren't still tracked in school anymore are living in lalaland. Just because the Supreme Court said we can't track doesn't mean it still isn't done. They just call it something else and use pretty words to try and mask it. We were given the choice of our daughter being in "regular" classes, but being towards the bottom academically, or putting her in "assisted" (special ed) classes, but her being at the top. Bottom of the top or top of the bottom. What a choice to make when your child is 2. The only decision we've really made is that we want to avoid the Baltimore Public School System. The rest is a mine field that we're attempting to navigate. Not for the first time, I was left wondering what people who don't understand the system coming in do to navigate it?
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That must be a hard decision. Can you change your mind if you want to later?
ReplyDeleteAnd I want to thank you SO MUCH for the lovely scarf. Love the color and it's so soft. You really made my day. Merry Christmas. Love, Tree
Tree, we can change it later, but once you pick a track, it's hard to alter, because no matter what, your kid is behind.
ReplyDeleteyou're very welcome for the scarf. I thought you'd like the colors and texture. I hope it keeps you warm in that crazy cold you've been getting.
Jilly
Considering my usual stance on the topic, this will sound odd, but are the options better through homeschooling? Or does the tracking run through that option too?
ReplyDeleterosa, tracking is something public schools do. some private schools do it, but not as often. homeschooling is not based on any tracking because it's up to an imdependant party (mainly a parent) to control things. I would homeschool if I didn't have to go back to work, but i can't stay home forever. i have no issues eith homes chooling, my issues are with Unschooling, which is what my sister does. moreover, if i spent several years prodiving other people's kids with quality education, i know i can provide mine with some. we're just at a big crossroads and it's hard to backtrack ater picking a path.
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