Torvald's progress
Yesterday, I had to attend a parents' meeting with Torvy's teachers Mrs Pellant and Mrs Moore (who share the role on a 3:2 days per week basis). Let me just say from the outset that it was the most positive experience I have ever had of a parents' meeting in a combined total of 16 child-years.
The two teachers are obviously very fond of him as a person, which makes a huge difference. We started off talking about art, since I had just exercised my right to buy one of his pictures, ready framed for the purpose (this is a WSA/PTA fund raising initiative which works very well). We have seen his work come on in leaps and bounds this year, and Mrs Moore said he was very talented. She showed me some of his other work and his self-portrait in the style of Modigliani blew me away.
We talked about his other subjects, too, but he is doing very well across the board and the teachers were far more interested in telling me about him as a person. Apparently he is very focused and gives every task his all... most of the time. But with much affection they shared how he is "still a little boy" sometimes, with lots of silliness in evidence. They were quick to assure me that they thought that this was exactly as it should be. They were positively giggling as they told me about the antics he and his equally silly friend Sam get up to, and his instant sheepish contrition when he gets caught.
His self assessment for French was very high, which surprised the teachers somewhat - of course, it isn't the English way to blow one's own trumpet, but we have not raised our children to display false modesty. However, they said he was bang on target and that his French was indeed "very good" across the board as he had estimated. I was pleased with this - Torvy has not previously shown any flair for languages.
They expressed the opinion that he has a talent for music. This is borne out by his guitar teacher who told him on Tuesday that he is a "great guitarist". Whoa!
I came away the proud owner of a gorgeous picture, which will go up on the wall at home, and walking on a pink cloud of parental smugness. As parents, we so often hear about where our children fall short of the mark and where they need extra help. We often focus our own attention on their faults and flaws, forgetting to commend them for their successes. Last night it gave me great pleasure to "big him up" in his hearing at our cell group meeting.
Parenting is hard work, but occasions like this make it sooo worthwhile!
The two teachers are obviously very fond of him as a person, which makes a huge difference. We started off talking about art, since I had just exercised my right to buy one of his pictures, ready framed for the purpose (this is a WSA/PTA fund raising initiative which works very well). We have seen his work come on in leaps and bounds this year, and Mrs Moore said he was very talented. She showed me some of his other work and his self-portrait in the style of Modigliani blew me away.
We talked about his other subjects, too, but he is doing very well across the board and the teachers were far more interested in telling me about him as a person. Apparently he is very focused and gives every task his all... most of the time. But with much affection they shared how he is "still a little boy" sometimes, with lots of silliness in evidence. They were quick to assure me that they thought that this was exactly as it should be. They were positively giggling as they told me about the antics he and his equally silly friend Sam get up to, and his instant sheepish contrition when he gets caught.
His self assessment for French was very high, which surprised the teachers somewhat - of course, it isn't the English way to blow one's own trumpet, but we have not raised our children to display false modesty. However, they said he was bang on target and that his French was indeed "very good" across the board as he had estimated. I was pleased with this - Torvy has not previously shown any flair for languages.
They expressed the opinion that he has a talent for music. This is borne out by his guitar teacher who told him on Tuesday that he is a "great guitarist". Whoa!
I came away the proud owner of a gorgeous picture, which will go up on the wall at home, and walking on a pink cloud of parental smugness. As parents, we so often hear about where our children fall short of the mark and where they need extra help. We often focus our own attention on their faults and flaws, forgetting to commend them for their successes. Last night it gave me great pleasure to "big him up" in his hearing at our cell group meeting.
Parenting is hard work, but occasions like this make it sooo worthwhile!
posted by karynr at 10:45 am
2 Comments:
Thanks for the encouraging comment, Chrissy.
How nice to have your input! I will try to post an image of Torvy's picture... as soon as I can figure out how to work the new scanner! The self-portrait is still at school and will be sent home with him at the end of the term (Friday).
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