Date: January 12, 2023
There’s nothing more anxiety-inducing for me than attending my daughter’s preschool class and wondering about her social interactions. On the last day of preschool before the winter break, families were invited to partake in a festive celebration. I arrived just in time for story and song time, where the teacher, Ms. Amy, sat on a chair with a book while the children gathered around her on the carpet.
However, I noticed my daughter, Lily, was seated on a chair slightly removed from the group. She was focused and attentive, yet physically distanced from her peers. The other teacher approached me, reassuring me that Lily wasn’t in trouble; she had simply chosen to sit there on her own. The notion that she might be in trouble hadn’t crossed my mind—I would have preferred a minor mischief over my concern.
Seeing her alone made me anxious, as I worried that her inability to communicate verbally was leading to her exclusion from interactions with the other children. It seemed as though her speech delay prevented her from fully engaging with her peers. In that moment, I saw her solitary chair as a metaphor for her current stage in life—always a bit behind.
During story time, I observed another girl leap up to look out the window, prompting Lily to do the same. I felt a surge of self-consciousness, questioning whether I should intervene and ask her to return to her seat. The contrast between her behavior and that of her classmates weighed heavily on my mind.
Ms. Amy paused the story to glance outside, and instead of reprimanding the girls, she joyfully exclaimed, “Oh, everyone needs to see what’s outside! Look what Lily and Sarah have discovered!” All the children rushed to the window, and there was Lily, right in the mix, beaming with excitement. She then turned to me and signed the word “dog.” What they spotted—a dog in the park—was indeed a sight worth sharing!
In that moment, I realized I had let my worries cloud my perception of Lily’s interactions. Thanks to her supportive teacher, I witnessed Lily transition from being on the sidelines to taking an active role in the excitement. Perhaps she isn’t as different as I feared; she is a determined, independent girl, brimming with love and curiosity. She’s unafraid to observe from a distance and capable of inviting others into her joyful experiences.
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Summary
Observing my daughter’s interactions in preschool has taught me valuable lessons about her speech delay and social engagement. Initially worried about her exclusion due to her communication differences, I learned that she is capable of connecting with her peers in her own unique way. With the right support and encouragement, she is not just an observer but an active participant in her world.