Tyler Kindergarten

Before kindergarten started Tyler was still upset at preschool and would much rather be with mom.  He would often cry and was so shy, scared and just not that happy.  We debated starting him in kindergarten since he was very young and we didn’t feel he was mature, but quite frankly, I dreamed of having both boys at the same school, close to home and Tyler in school 5 days a week for 4 hours.  Ultimately, we thought of the pros and cons and prayed about it and strangely felt good about trying kindergarten. 

Before school, his teacher met with me about his heart and I told her that we were simply trying this out and if he was a distraction for her, the class or not happy, we would do something else.  I told her how he can be a challenge, had been delayed  in and out of therapies and hospitals most of his life. 

So we started and the first day went surprisingly great.  However, day 2 I got a message from his teacher.  My heart sank.  He had a 45 minute tantrum. Tyler is much more verbal and aware of his needs and emotions which is so much easier in some ways.  He came home and told me all about it and told me he was embarrassed more than anything and just wanted to be left alone instead of held.  His teacher was awesome.  Really aware of each kids personality and needs and so positive yet firm with her expectations.  He couldn’t have been in better hands.

The rest of the week went well except for a potty accident which wasn’t entirely his fault.  He was on a lot of Lasix which I mentioned and can’t hold his pee like other kids but the bathroom was locked and he didn’t know to ask to go to another bathroom.  The teacher felt so bad, but it was not that big of deal and a good learning lesson.  We just switched his med schedule.  One thing about Tyler is he isn’t easily embarrassed and he is fine the next moment.  He had a poop accident in week 2.  I felt so bad for him and couldn't figure out why he was having bathroom accidents.  He said he was nervous with something he was doing and felt bad asking to go.  Other than his two accidents, his teacher said he was doing great emotionally and academically and didn't seemed worried about his accidents.  I think I was more worried than anyone praying he would go to the bathroom before school.  

By week 3, Tyler loved learning in school and going to school to be with his friends.  He was always happy to be at school. He loved to show us what he was learning and was always so proud of his work.  He was doing surprisingly well academically.  He was doing well socially.  Friends liked him and he was a very confident little man. The year really only got better from there.  He had no more accidents.  Didn't seem to be nervous while learning or trying new things.  

  

He couldn’t have had a better year, better teacher or better experience. He matured so much.  He is a totally different kid academically and more important socially than he was at the beginning of the year.  It truly was amazing to see.  I know a lot of it has to do with his health.  He had his fenestration closed before kindergarten started which bumped his saturations up from the 70’s to 90’s,  For the first time in his life he was feeling good and able to do more physically than he had ever before done.  I know that had a drastic effect on his personality and overall maturity.  You never really know how sick someone is until you see them healthy.  His fontan procedure is truly a miracle!

ACADEMICS: Tyler loved learning in kindergarten. Throughout the year, he really got better at being comfortable learning new things.  In the beginning of the year he felt bad and shut down when he was learning but matured with the learning process.  He learned all of his site words.  Learning seemed to be easier for him than Scott which was surprising.  He enjoyed it more than Scott.  Reading and Math were easy for him.  His writing was easy for him and I just kept thinking, "who is this kid?"  He often got math awards and his teacher always talked about how easy math was for him and he understood concepts very easily. 

SOCIAL.  Tyler got along well with kids but pushes the limits.  He would push the limits with friends and rules.  I think some of that is personality and some is being young.  Not totally knowing how to interact.  Regardless, he always had friends to play with and was never alone.  He is extremely confident which helps him make friends.  

KINESTHETIC.  Tyler is surprisingly athletic but just doesn't have the stamina to do organized sports.  He knows how to swim really well, he is really good at hitting a baseball, etc. but doesn't like to do it on a team because he can't control what his limit is. So that has worked out great.  He would much rather play at the pool with friends and be with his friends and not be pushed to compete or excercise beyond his capability.  

LINGUISTIC.  Tyler is a very good communicator.  Everything he says makes sense and he uses good grammar.

SPACIAL.  Tyler likes to play with legos and build but not for long periods of time.  He is much more detail oriented than Scott but has a hard time seeing things spatially sometimes.  

MUSIC. Haven't really started.  We need to.  That is the second kid or 4 issue.  We just need to make it more of a priority.  I think we will start this summer.  He seems to enjoy it when we make time, but haven't commited to actually starting anything yet.

INTERPERSONAL.  Tyler is a good friend.  He loves being with friends.  Sometimes he just doesn't know how to interact or get friends to play with him if they are doing something else.  He doesn't get where the limit is sometimes.  He will get frustrated at a friend instead of just working it out.  Some of it has to do with being a very emotionally charged kid.  But he is well liked and has friends.  Sometimes he chooses to be friends with kids that test limits.  While he usually makes good decisions the kids he graviates towards are sometimes the kids that like to push the limits. 

INTRAPERSONAL.  Tyler is very aware of his feelings and emotions and very good at verbalizing his emotions.  He doesn't keep anything in which is very easy to know what is going on and what is bothering him.  He has a quick temper but doesn't hold onto things.  He is a very emotional kid.  I think a lot of it has to do with how tired he is.  We can tell when he is doing well physically and when his heart is tired.  It really makes such a difference in his personality.  

Existential.  Tyler's heart condition I think has always taught him that there is a greater plan and purpose of this life than just this life.  His relationship with God and Christ is very real.  He knows that there is life after this life.  He doesn't worry about death and he doesn't worry about his health.  It is such a beautiful blessing and he is an example to all of us!

Ultimately, Tyler is a totally different kid than he was at the beginning of the year.  He can take care of himself.  He can go and initiate friendships and has friends that he takes care of and that take care of him.  He likes playing sports.  He is much more aware of his feelings and emotions.  He has done so well academically and is looking forward to learning in first grade.  We are so blessed.  He has done so well and we are so proud of him!  One of the greatest miracles of all was that he didn't miss one day of school.  For a kid with his condition that is an absolute miracle to show how healthy he was this year. People who see him this year say how healthy and strong he looks.  His body is so much stronger and more developed, not to mention pink instead of blue. He had a great year.  We are so blessed!