Today Teacher Peggy came to do a home visit for preschool. Carson was so excited! He waited by the front window and ran to the door as soon as she pulled up. It is a huge comfort for me to see his relationship with her. He was, and still can be, so shy. So seeing him be so excited and animated with her was heartwarming. They did a couple of alphabet puzzles, some sorting, patterns and counting just to see where he's at. She emphasized how much of a thinker he is. He thinks it out carefully before doing it, such as when he builds with blocks. Long story short... she adores him and he is a fantastic student. He is advanced with his fine motor skills, knows most of his letters, counts to 25+ (though he needs to be a little more consistent with his teens).
He has been improving by leaps and bounds socially. To understand I need to describe him a little more. When he started preschool last year it was mostly because he couldn't handle being away from family. If he didn't have Kayda or Dillon he wouldn't play with anyone, staying glued to me or Daddy. Being at school away from any of us caused MANY tears. At the beginning of this year I had to stay at least 15 minutes before I could get it the door. As the year went he was happier to go to school but he still would not say "hello" or "goodbye" instead he would just smile and tuck his face against my leg. At the school's family style lunch he wouldn't ask for anything, he wouldn't play with anyone unless they asked him... I think you get the idea.
Now he rides the bus to and from school, he is greeting people and saying goodbye. He plays with most of the kids instead of the one or two he is most comfortable with... it goes on. She had two very specific examples for me:
At the family style lunch she heard him say "please pass the milk". No one did, he said it again 2 more times, nicely and slightly louder, in the hope of being heard. She ended up going over to help him get their attention. It is so wonderful that he is feeling comfortable enough that he will keep asking instead of just giving up and hiding away.
She also saw him walk up to a kid playing with a measuring tape. Carson asked if he could have a turn and then patiently waited until the other child was done, then went to play. He NEVER would've initiated any interaction like that before.
