December 17, 2002 - Tuesday
Harry got his first "report card" today. It's actually an evaluation form from his preschool teacher and it makes for fascinating reading. Well, it's fascinating to a parent anyway, reading what someone who spends so much time with your child thinks about this virtual extension of yourself and, it irrationally seems, your value and effectiveness as a parent. I saw one parent driving out of the school parking area with what I clearly recognized as his son's evaluation right on top of the steering wheel, his eyes hopping anxiously between the road and this highly personal report. I knew just what he was feeling, having myself used every rational fiber of my being to wait the long few minutes home before facing the reckoning. Of course, it's hardly all of that, not nearly meant to be so judgmental or insightful. But, the job of parenting inspires its share of self-doubt and that makes such feedback powerful stuff indeed.

The following is an approximation of the form (italics indicate teacher comments)...

Child's Name ___Harry____ Birthday ___12-16-99___ Age __2 yrs 11 mths___
Date ___12-2-02___ Teacher ___Cathleen___

I. Parent Information
. A. What are your child's feelings toward the program?
. B. Are your expectations for your child being met at the program?
. C. What responsibilities does your child have at home?
. D. Are there any special situations you would like us to be made aware of?

II. Adjustment to School
. A. Separation
_x_ Confident
___ Needs teacher help
___ Fearful
. B. Routines and Rules
_x_ Understands and follows ground rules . . . . . :-)
___ Seems to understand but does not follow ground rules
___ Is working on gaining an understanding of the ground rules
. C. Peer Relationships
_x_ Seeks out other children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . plays alone when wants to play alone,
_x_ Waits for others to initiate friendship . . . . . joins when wants to join, plays
_x_ Solitary play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . independently the majority of the time.
_x_ Parallel play
_x_ Cooperative play
___ Has difficulty cooperating in certain situations
. D. Relationship with Teachers
_x_ Good rapport . . . . . . . :-) Very sweet boy!
___ Usually works independently of teachers . . . enjoys the w/ me and himself
___ Is quite dependent upon teachers
. E. Individual Work Habits
_x_ Works independently
___ Needs encouragement to work independently
___ Needs encouragement finding appropriate work
_x_ Good concentration skills
___ Developing concentration skills
_x_ Completes a work cycle
___ Needs encouragement completing a work cycle
. F. Clothes and Belongings
_x_ Independently cares for belongings . . . . * puts away clothes and lunch
___ Appropriate help as needed
___ Needs encouragement
___ Independently dresses self and zips jacket . . . . .gets things but needs help dressing

III. Participation in Program
. A. Group Participation
_x_ Usually participates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . participates in circle + stories, but not always
___ Needs encouragement to participate . .during art activities
. B. Language
_x_ Speaks clearly . . . . . . . :-)
_x_ Speaks in sentences

IV. Small Muscle
_x_ Holds and uses crayon/pencil correctly
_x_ Holds and uses scissors correctly . . . . . . . didn't until Nov.
___ Traces a line accurately
___ Cuts on a straight line
_x_ Cuts a circle . . . . . . . . . . .but not directly on line
___ Explores variety of art materials

V. Large Muscle
_x_ Hops or jumps
_x_ Walks forward on a balance beam
___ Walks backwards on a balance beam
_x_ Manipulates self on climber
_x_ Enjoys outdoor play
_x_ Runs with control (stop, change direction, etc.)

VI. Cognitive Development
. A. Visual Perception
_x_ Matches basic shapes and sizes
_x_ Names basic colors
_x_ Recognizes like objects . . . . . uses word 'similar'
_x_ Recognizes printed name
. B. Mathematics
_x_ Names the basic shapes . . . . *most
_x_ Counts by rote 1 to _13_
_x_ Counts objects 1 to _13_


Social / Emotional Development
What is his/her disposition and usual facial expression and appearance? _Seems to be happy, confident, and excited to be here and exploring._
How does the child respond and react to the teacher? Is he/she antagonistic, dependent, independent, subservient, cooperative, attention-getting, friendly, negative, timid? _enjoys talking to me and playing with me. Loves for me to read w/ him._
How does the child respond and react to the parent?______
Your child indicated the following possible personality traits:_________

A. During times of frustration or tension:
___ Hits ________ Throws tantrums _________ Wants adult reassurance
___ Kicks _______ ( Yells ) _________________ Understands situation and adjusts
___ Bites _______ ( Cries ) ________________ Sucks thumb or finger
___ Scratches ____ Increased state of activity
___ Spits _______ Pulls hair ________________ Withdrawn
___ Pinches _____ Appropriate verbal expression

Comments _recently became whinny when frustrated or cries. I assure him that he can do it (if he really can) and encourage him to ask for help._

B. With the group your child is:
___ Leader ________ Boisterous _________ Uncooperative ______ Quarrelsome
___ ( Follower ) ____ Reticent ___________ Determined_________ Good Loser
___ ( shy ) quiet ___ ( Cooperative ) ______ Timid ____________ Poor Loser
___ Accepted _____ ( Content ) _________ ( Creative) ________ Funny

Comments _Harry is a wonderful child and I mean with all sincerity that he is a fabulous role model for the other children_

Your child needs improvement in:

_ Use of language _______________ Sharing possessions and equipment
_ Enjoying other children _________ ( Accepting failure and frustrations ) *Developmentally appropriate :-)
_ Accepting new people _________ Overcoming fears
_ Self-entertainment _____________ Learning to relax
_ Greater self-confidence _________ Greater attention span
_ Accepting limits ______________ Learning to take turns
_ Independence ________________ Cooperating with adults
_____________________________ Cooperating with children

Play Patterns
What activities repeatedly interest the child?

Your child enjoys
_ Legos _____________( Stories) read by teacher __ Clapping hands ____ Climbing
_ Blocks -dumping them _ ( Cutting ) ____________ ( Puzzles ) ________ Bikes - pushing them
_ ( Easel painting ) ______ ( Clay ) ______________ Finger paint _______Swings N/A
_ ( Pasting ) ___________ Doll corner ___________ ( Water Play ) _____ ( Sand ) - Trucks
_ Crayons ____________ ( Books ) _____________ Walks ___________ Sledding
_ Games _____________ Singing - listens ________ Rhythm band _____ ( Trucks & Cars ) inside + out

Other __trains___

Intellectual Development
Alertness to environment; his type of interest, use of judgment, language development, vocabulary, and its improvement. Attention span at various activities, special skills; follows directions

Physical Development
Describe the child's appearance, general health, disabilities, energy, cooperation, large and small muscle, skill in use of equipment, e.g. scissors, pencils, climbers, bikes, manipulatives

Routines
Reaction upon arrival _________________
Putting away toys and helping with clean-up __ cleans only when guided by teacher ___
Independence in dressing, tying shoes etc. __ gets + puts belongings away independently __
Toileting, washing ______________________________
Sleeping habits ___ used to settle on own, now needs help - sleeps apr. 1 hr __
Eating habits _____ eats very well, feeds self, eats neatly and cleans up on own ____

General Comments

Harry
Preschool
December 8, 2002

Harry seems to enjoy his time here at [preschool]. He is progressing and opening up more and more every day. I have noticed a lot of changes in Harry since September. He is more assertive, less withdrawn, participates more, involves himself with other children, is more vocal and expresses himself more willingly. Harry is a very happy, expression and an intelligent two (very close to three) year old.

Harry enjoys spending his time playing with the trains, marble game, puzzles, painting, drawing with markers, looking at books on tape, reading with me, playing in the sand building roads and gluing! Harry used to spend the majority of his time playing independently, but now he is engaging with the other children.

Harry has a great attention span and is able to focus on and complete the task that he is working on. Harry puts a lot of thought and time into his work. He is very independent and has good self-help skills. Harry gets his lunch box out of his cubby, unzips it, takes everything out and opens all the containers by himself. He puts his hat and gloves on by himself and is still learning how to put the rest of his clothing on by himself. Harry has a difficult time cleaning up. (This is age appropriate) I offer for Harry to try using the toilet, but he is not ready. He tells me that he will use the toilet at home.

Harry is a wonderful child and I enjoy my time with him each day! He is a very sweet, happy, and cute boy. He is progressing and developing very well.



left hand __________________________________________________ right hand

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj K (X) k Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv W (M) w Xx Y (V) y Zz

(circle ) ____________ ( diamond )
(triangle ) __________ ( oval )
square "triangle"
rectangle

( red ) _________________ ( pink )
( yellow ) ______________ ( purple )
( brown )
( blue )
( green )
( black )
( orange )
( white )

Count 1- 13, 15


Comments, Opinions?