So I asked Seth yesterday,
"Did someone come and take you out of the classroom for testing recently?"
"Yeah. Two people did," he said, as he fiddled with his Planet Hero. "I didn't know them."
"Do you know what they said about you? Those people who gave you those tests?"
"What?" he shrugged.
Looking him in the eye I told him, "They said you are a very smart little boy. Did you know that about you?"
He looked down and said,
"Not really. Because I never get my work done."
Kill me now.
"Getting your work done doesn't mean anything about smart."
I grabbed his chin and made him look at me.
"Seriously Seth. People learn in all different kinds of ways. Maybe that kindergarten class doesn't match your way of learning. You are a very smart kid. Do you hear me?"
He smiled and said,
"Okay."
Okay.
_____________
We stayed in PJ's all day this first day of spring break. After an hour long dance party to my new chorus music, Seth had a revelation.
"Mom. I think I figured out why I can't get my work done."
"Why, Seth?"
"Because there's music in my head."
Seth is a child who hums random little tunes under his breath every waking moment.
"Whenever I try to concentrate, there is too much music inside me and it distracts me."
"I see," I said.
I see.
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12 comments:
Hmm. Mozart?
Wow. Fascinating. Do you have a piano?
We do have a piano, and I've only seen him touch it once in his whole life.
He has been fascinated with guitars forever though, and this summer he'll get the chance to take lessons, at camp.
Interesting. Miss M requests Mozart in the car on the way to school because it "organizes her brain"
Get him to music lessons stat.
Have you shared Riley's social story about how different kids work differently? My Reilly LOVED that (and I totally didn't correct the teacher who thought I had written it...)
He's such a fascinating kid.
xo
great conversation with your son--sounds like he's getting a better understanding on how he learns, which is so important!
My Apple has music in her head, too. She sings constantly. <3
Seth IS a smart kid. He'll figure it out, with you to help him.
Can't believe I missed this, sorry! Let's talk. Let's. Talk. I'm excited. You found the (most) perfect school/program for Riley, we'll find the right one for Mr. Bach/Beethoven/Brahams, what-have-you.
He's got music in his head.
(sigh)
Love those kids of yours. Love. Them.
that kind of self awareness at his age is INCREDIBLE and will serve him so well as he moves forward.
you know, these labels .. the good, the bad the ugly .. they don't change the nature of the person being labeled. we talk about it all the time round these parts in regard to the autism label. call my kid whatever you want, she's still going to be the same person .. a wonderful, bright, loving little human being with unlimited potential.
and you and todd would never be the parents who you make fun of. you know so much better than to push your children into boxes based on some bs criteria that won them a label.
what you WILL do ~ you WILL use any new insight that you gain from the labels. you'll start a different conversation than you might have and you'll learn a little more about how to help them reach their full potential.
but pop tarts at 9 and kids keeling from pressure? not gonna happen at the O'N household. no way no how. not any more likely than you filing riley away under A for asperger's.
Wow. I'm so floored by his awareness. I look forward to reading about Seth as much as I do about Riley!
I love that you were able to let him think about it without being ashamed of it. You are truly an enlightened parent, Michelle. He is one lucky little boy.
Can't wait to hear about guitar lessons ;-)
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