Recently, my dad had new carpet installed. The effect was like what happens when you stir a stew that's been simmering on the stove for a good long time -- lots of delightful and surprising things get turned up from the bottom of the pot.
And so it was that a precious cache of old preschool- and elementary school-era documents of Peterson family history were rediscovered. Here, I record one of the most unexpected finds: My mother's "observations" of first my sister and me in preschool, and then me, solo, once my sister had departed for kindergarten. My mother's observations are occasionally punctuated by responses from the teacher. I've opted not to include my own retrospective commentary, but will let the document stand.
ALHAMBRA CITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
PARENT-CHILD OBSERVATION CLASSES
9/27/1968
Liz: 44 mo.
Kay: 25 mo.
Both girls were excited and looked forward with great anticipation to school. They picked up their room quickly which is unusual.
9am
They both played actively with the toys and mixed well. They painted and then went into the playhouse area which they seem to really enjoy. Good imagination, very busy and industrious cook. Mothers, etc.
9:45am
During story time E[lizabeth] was very good and quiet – Kay was good also but had a little more trouble staying on rug.
After juice (which they drank – will not at home) they returned to room. E immediately went to playhouse area and joined a group of girls there. Kay wandered about enjoying the freedom and different toys. Liz stayed in playhouse and made a friend – Kay started building with large blocks.
10/4/1968
Liz: 44 mo.
Kay: 25 mo.
9:20am
Great anticipation last night and this morning. They were good this morning and Elizabeth almost dressed herself completely. As usual E headed for the playhouse area which she loves so. She is being friendly and sharing well. Kay drifts about doing various things, happy and busy.
Kay became angry today when not allowed to go outside – she did not sleep well at all and has just been terribly grouchy about everything. [Teacher’s note: Well, it was darn grey (?) and the weather ought to be ashamed of itself!]
Outside playtime perked Kay up – better natured – went into rest time real well.
10/11/1968
Liz: 44 mo.
Kay: 25 mo.
9:30am
Both happy to attend – seem to be in good spirits today. They painted and Kay especially enjoyed this.
9:50am
Song time – Eliz. joined in all the action – Kay enjoyed but observed mostly – sat quietly and very good!
I was told they were very good during discussion – Kay slept well last night and it shows!
11:30am
Rest time – Both lying quietly –
[Teacher’s note: Interesting to see Eliz. and Robin “find” each other today. Happiness is making a friend!]
10/18/1968
Liz: 44 mo.
Kay: 25 mo.
9:30am
Again both very happy at prospect of school. E looking forward to seeing Robin.
Kay was very annoyed at having to come inside and consequently didn’t respond to song time, etc. I think I had better try to arrive earlier so she has more outside play time. Other than that – no problem to speak of.
[Teacher’s note: Don’t be concerned if Kay cries. It’s a stable group and can take a few distractions here and there. (Kay wasn’t nearly as distracting today as my silly cold!) If she would be happier sitting on your lap at rest time, why don’t you try that way? Sometimes it helps to let them join the group activities on “their own time.” Also, thank you for being so helpful on the playground with the other children. Every class needs a few who are fast on their feet, and it is appreciated.)
10/25/1968
Liz: 44 mo.
Kay: 25 mo.
9:30am
Elizabeth and Kay both happy to come – Liz seems to be getting much more out of this than Kay. Perhaps she’ll improve as time goes on. She is good in areas now except when expected to quietly conform.
[Teacher’s note: For her age, she does exceptionally well, though!]
Hokey pokey brought her out a bit.
11/1/1968
Liz: 44 mo.
Kay: 25 mo.
9:30am
Elizabeth very grouchy this morning, guess Halloween was too much!
10am
Both were good today – Had our usual battle but Kay did rest today. They both play very well in group activities and get along with children just fine.
11/15/1968
Liz: 45 mo.
Kay: 26 mo.
9:30am
Both girls were so excited to come. I had a talk with Kay and she claimed she was going to nap, sit, etc. We’ll see.
Liz is sad – no Robin today. I am happy to see the girls are both doing pretty well in the sharing department – at least they haven’t shown too much aggression.
[Teacher’s note: “Lady Macbeth” certainly did “ring them bells”!]
12/6/1968
Liz: 45 mo.
Kay: 26 mo.
Every one so happy to come. Pretty good today – Kay is still not very good about “the Rug” business.
12/13/1968
Liz: 46 mo.
Kay: 27 mo.
9:30am
Liz was awakened “rudely” by brother very early this morning & is very grouchy. I think she’ll come to eventually. Kay all excited about coming – in a very silly, wild mood this morning. I see Liz and Robin playing on boat & she seems to be in better spirits. We have a problem with her lately – she is so emotional lately & cries easily.
Story time was an improvement – Kay joined in and behaved much better.
[Teacher’s note: Wouldn’t it be nice if everybody was as happy as Kay today – especially in the MORNING!]
1/24/1969
Liz: 47 mo.
Kay: 28 mo.
9:30am
Both anxious to come today – Kay has promised faithfully to join in rug activities today – we will see!
Week has been very interesting to say the least – the girls play very well together lately – House, dolls, etc. Not too much fighting over toys, but some.
10am
Singing and story time real improvement for Kay – she slept long & well & awake in good spirits today. I wonder too if sometimes the large group overwhelms the small ones.
During discussion both E & K were good natured and played well independently. E made friends with John & they were very busy in play house.
2/21/1969
Liz: 48 mo.
Kay: 29 mo.
9:45am
This morning didn’t go too well – Liz claims she can’t dress herself so Kay follows suit. Very tiresome and really takes a great deal out of me. We also have had some problems with Kay lately for getting into drawers/etc. – She seemed to be all cured of this type of thing so I was discouraged yesterday when she reverted to her old ways.
Seemed to enjoy today though not so cheery today.
2/28/1969
Liz: 49 mo.
Kay: 30 mo.
9am
Liz picked up all the chalk Kay spilled so we could get going. This is a rare thing for Liz to do so you can see how much school means to her.
[Teacher’s note: This class has me completely spoiled. So many “up” people all in one place!]
2/28/1969
Liz: 49 mo.
Kay: 30 mo.
9:30am
So happy to come – both in good spirits and very agreeable today – The rain did one good thing – to encourage more drawing & reading on our part. So happy to see both girls developing nicely in small muscle control. Kay drew a face recently which really impressed me.
All in all a good day!
3/14/1969
[Teachers report: Sat., with smaller group, I could observe each child better and was fascinated to watch Kay playing with the flannel board and letters. She was saying them out loud to herself (not all – but quite a few).
Maybe we should break the news to her that she’s not old enough?]
10/17/1969
Kay: 36 mo.
[Teacher’s note: Kay seems even more grown up, on her own.]
9:15am
Kay was immediately interested in paste – She went right at it – pasted with enthusiasm and stayed with it for a good 10 min or so. She is very good this way and has been a child who could stay with a project for a long time. Kay is very independent – has left Carrie and Andrew to go to playhouse area – Kay is eager to be involved. She watched the painting story closely – really was interested.
Kay has great concentration – during story time she listened and watched intently. Kay is a person who will be involved in what is going on.
[Teacher’s note: Good notes!]
10/31/1969
Kay: 36 mo.
9:30
Kay was so happy to come, school makes her feel grown up as her brother and sister both go.
She was rather naughty at rest time – couldn’t seem to relax as well as usual.
11/6/1969
Kay: 38 mo.
Books and articles read on children and family life: Still reading “Between Parent & Child”
9:15
So happy to come – Today is a physical day – She jumped on a bike as soon as we arrived.
Singing – good and involved. She concentrates so well, it pleases me to see her paying such attention. Kay has few real personality problems, though she is very obstinate at times & can be very difficult with her “no’s.”
[Teacher’s note: Well – she’s going to be such a “dish” in a few years, maybe it’s just as well!]
11/14/1969
Kay: 38 mo.
9:30
Very silly today – happy and eager to come as usual. She really enjoys school and looks forward to it all week.
We have been watching “Sesame Street” this week and I am pleased to see how interested she is in the letters, numbers, etc. – her attention span* never ceases to amaze me – especially after having had one very distractible child.
During story time she is engrossed and listens carefully.
*[Teacher’s note: She really has an incredible attention span. Guess she didn’t “read the book” that sez she’s too young!]
12/5/1969
Kay: 39 mo.
Books and articles read on children and family life: Ha!
9:30am
As usual Kay thrilled at prospect of school. She is determined not to obey lately & we have had some good slaps this week. She is good in so many ways but really needs a firm hand so she’ll eventually realize that I and not she am boss!
12/12/1969
Kay: 39 mo.
9:20am
Kay is always glad to come here as you know. In fact I tell her when she’s naughty that I’ll not take her to school & that carries a lot of weight.
12/19/1969
[Teacher’s note: Sorry I didn’t grasp Kay’s problem faster about the book exchange – and do hope I didn’t start your whole Christmas off with a bad bang!]
1/9/1970
Kay: 40 mo.
9:30am
After Christmas Kay was really ready for school though she woke up very grouchy & we’ll see how she goes as the morning progresses. She has been soooooo talkative lately she seems to have a million things in her head all the time.
[Teacher’s note: It was nice to see the “Grand Old Ladies” today. My, how they’ve come along!]
1/23/1970
Kay: 41 mo.
9:20am
Kay was really flying today & so happy to come. She is wearing one of her “special” hand-me-downs from Carrie. We have noticed the different attitude of children today towards this, they couldn’t be happier with their cousin’s things.
Our stubborn period is still on, Kay really has to be made to understand that I’ll not give in on some thins or all “hell” breaks loose. *
She is eager to help herself in many ways, & is so mature in many areas.
*[Teacher’s note: Well – I guess you know I’m not about to tell anybody to raise the white flag & just surrender – or that there aren’t some legitimate wars sometimes in spite of all, But the natural mental tendency, I should think, after deciding that one was “bossed” a bit by a 1st child, would be to man one’s battle station for the next ones. It might be worth a try, at least, to stop playing HER game, a little, by giving as few direct commands as possible and just working on the vital ones. This sounds so simple that you may feel like hitting me with a bat, but the fact is that whenever WHATEVER you’re doing isn’t working at THIS time with THIS child, it’s often a good time to change tactics.
You said it: “She looks at me all ready for a fight” (or words to that effect). So surprise her! Why not?
P.S. But when you DO give a necessary command, take her clear to the boards if you have to! Under-mother is what I mean, with the “do this & do that’s” and all the liottel stuff we all pick, pick, pick about at times.
Just a thought, you know – and you certainly don’t have to be polite and agree!]
1/3/1970
Kay: 3 ½ years old
9am:
Things went smoothly today as everyone cooperated and helped us getting out!
She was a bit more sensitive acting, and became upset during hand puppet thing – I think she thought she was going to hold one & when another girl got to she really broke up –
Lately she won’t join the dancing which is really odd for a child who continually dances at home –
[Teacher’s note: And at school last year. She may be bored (we’re doing very elementary things.) We have a rather split group this years – the “fasts” are very fasts and t’other way around. Will try to alternate a bit more.]
2/13/1970
9:30
Very excited ab out coming – no real improvement in behavior, in fact she really acted up in church Sunday loudly proclaiming “I hate church.” She just doesn’t want to do anything she dislikes. Very independent thinker.
2/27/1970
Kay: 42 mo.
9:30am
Liz visited us today and realy is enjoying herself. Happy to see she wanted to sing for the group as sometimes she gets rather embarrassed.
4/2/1970
9:15am
So!!! excited about coming. Really sweet lately though still very mouthy. Her sass really strikes me funny which may or may not be good for her. On the whole just laughing and not getting angry seems to stop it as quickly as anything else.
[Teacher’s note: You know what? – You’ve learned a lot lately. All your work with Michael, etc., shows!]
4/17/1970
9:15am
This morning Liz was so helpful – dressed completely & quickly – she is so good this way and has a side of her personality that loves neatness and efficiency. So different from the other two. Kay woke up OK but has gotten progressively grouchy – she needs her rest and apparently needs more than she had last nite. Kay is quite shy in some ways. I’ve noticed she never asks to speak or have a turn with you – she probably will eventually.
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