This last Sunday, Elise and I went to visit nursery for the second time. She will be 18 months on Thursday the 24th, and then can officially stay in for the whole almost 2 hours. This week I thought we were just going to visit for a few minutes like last time. When we got there the kids were playing with toys, and while it took her a couple minutes to feel comfortable about getting down from my lap (like 15 minutes), she eventually started trying to play with toys, or finding a book to read. I was curious as to how things like snack time, lesson, and singing time are done here, so we thought about staying longer. Elise loved playing with the toys, and got so engrossed, she didn't notice when I slipped out for a few minutes. Then the chorister came in for singing time. Elise loves songs, dancing, doing hand motions or signs, and has some definite favorite songs. Well, she was a bit intimidated with singing time in nursery, so I went back in to do the songs with her. She loved it. After each song she would clap vigorously. She was enthusiastic about doing the hand motions for the songs, even the new ones by following the leaders. She doesn't often sing along verbally, but she knows her favorites and will do the motions before you even get to that part of the song. They sang Popcorn Popping twice, just because she loves it so much. After each song, she clapped, then she started signing music. That's her way of asking to sing more songs. They sang several, which made her very happy.
After singing time, there was some more time playing with toys. I tried to slip out again, just to see how she would do with the leaders and kids by herself. Unfortunately she saw me this time, and started crying, but I went back in, and she immediately calmed down, grabbed a book, and wanted some story time. She did very well interacting with the other kids. Her version of sharing is to hand you a toy or book. She tried this several times, but the other kids just kind of looked at her, and wouldn't take the toys. So, she shared with me, and as we read stories, we gathered a couple more kids around us. During lesson and snack time, Elise sat in the seat at the table with the other kids, and only had a bit of trouble with the snack. They had gold fish crackers, which is new for Elise, and water in dixie cups, which she needed help not to spill. She was very slow, and methodical about her snack time, and was still eating when everyone else finished and had some more song time before parents came to pick everyone up. She loved to sit and watch the Wheels on the Bus song, and all the Tongan songs with hand motions as well. After she finished, she helpfully put her trash in the trash can, and proceeded to do one of her favorite things...help put the blocks back in the block bins. She spent most of her toy playing time doing that. She discovered a doll house, which she tried to climb into, and there was a little kitchen set, that she was enthralled with. As other parents came to pick up their children, I started trying to persuade her that we could go find Daddy and go home. She didn't want to leave. She was having way too much fun. We finally got her to allow me to put her sweater on, and pick her up so we could leave. She waved and blew kisses, and had such an overall good experience that I don't think she'll resist going back again. I was so glad things had gone so smoothly. I think practicing the songs at home made her feel comfortable with familiar activities in a new place. I am glad she has the opportunity to interact with other adults and kids close to her age. She's getting so grown up!!!
After singing time, there was some more time playing with toys. I tried to slip out again, just to see how she would do with the leaders and kids by herself. Unfortunately she saw me this time, and started crying, but I went back in, and she immediately calmed down, grabbed a book, and wanted some story time. She did very well interacting with the other kids. Her version of sharing is to hand you a toy or book. She tried this several times, but the other kids just kind of looked at her, and wouldn't take the toys. So, she shared with me, and as we read stories, we gathered a couple more kids around us. During lesson and snack time, Elise sat in the seat at the table with the other kids, and only had a bit of trouble with the snack. They had gold fish crackers, which is new for Elise, and water in dixie cups, which she needed help not to spill. She was very slow, and methodical about her snack time, and was still eating when everyone else finished and had some more song time before parents came to pick everyone up. She loved to sit and watch the Wheels on the Bus song, and all the Tongan songs with hand motions as well. After she finished, she helpfully put her trash in the trash can, and proceeded to do one of her favorite things...help put the blocks back in the block bins. She spent most of her toy playing time doing that. She discovered a doll house, which she tried to climb into, and there was a little kitchen set, that she was enthralled with. As other parents came to pick up their children, I started trying to persuade her that we could go find Daddy and go home. She didn't want to leave. She was having way too much fun. We finally got her to allow me to put her sweater on, and pick her up so we could leave. She waved and blew kisses, and had such an overall good experience that I don't think she'll resist going back again. I was so glad things had gone so smoothly. I think practicing the songs at home made her feel comfortable with familiar activities in a new place. I am glad she has the opportunity to interact with other adults and kids close to her age. She's getting so grown up!!!
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