Sunday, July 5, 2009

Youngest Son - Kinder 3

Youngest Son

Kinder 3 Visitation Day
On June 25th, we attended a special parent breakfast and schoolroom presentations for Youngest Son in Kinder 3. Frankly, it was impressive.
We first visited the English classroom where the Teacher had prepared a program with the children to demonstrate their English speaking skills. The children were so cute and their English was commendable. Youngest Son volunteered his Mommy to answer a question presented to me by each child in English and I was to respond in English (I was one of only a couple parents who could speak English). I happily answered their carefully worded questions: What is your favorite color? How old are you? On and on along these themes … when it was Youngest Son’s turn to ask me a question – he asked me “Te gusta chile, cebolla y ajo?” in SPANISH! The whole class cracked up and I, of course, could not answer him without an English translation of “Do you like chile, onions and garlic?”









We then moved on to the Spanish classes. The first stop was a mini-class on mathematics. The kids “went shopping” and showed how they could count the pesos needed to “buy items.” The final Spanish stop was reading, writing and play acting a doctor's scene.

Graduation
July 3rd was Kinder 3 Graduation day. Youngest Son was a proud graduate and we were part of a large audience of proud parents. This was graduation for all the major transitions:
Kinder 3 – Preescolar – 35 graduates
6th Grade – Primaria – 24 graduates
9th Grade – Secundaria – 20 graduates
12th Grade – Bachillerato – 5 graduates

It was held at a local hotel and the school did a very nice job including a slide show presentation with current pictures and baby pictures of every graduate.

The Kinder 3 group then gathered at Peter Piper Pizza for an afternoon party. Think Chucky Cheese but not so obnoxious. The kids got a tour of the kitchen and played games. We finally headed home around 4pm. Fun was had by all.

How has this year been?
Kinder 3 is the ideal age to move a child into a 2nd language. There was very little stress with Youngest Son this year. He was learning to read and write in 2 languages just like his classmates. I know he did not understand everything at the beginning but in Kinder3 there is not allot of complicated issues. We did not hear any compliants from him, the teachers or the school ...

Youngest Son finished his year with honors. Just like the upper grades, diplomas are awarded in Kinder 3. Youngest Son ended the year with 1st place diplomas in Spanish and English! Youngest Son naturally combines his intelligence with spirit and lives life to its utmost fullest. While the acquisition of his Spanish skills brought on a bit more playing and talking in class, it was never extreme or a major disturbance and demonstrated his great ease with Spanish (how is that for spin!)

Youngest Son brings smiles, wit and laughter to this family every single day. Husband, Oldest Son and I love him with all our hearts. Youngest Son has the gift of making each day new and different.

12 comments:

ElleCancun said...

Amazing!!!

Your'e such a proud mommy... and of course you should be :)

Leslie Harris said...

Congratulations to Youngest Son!

Frankly Ronda said...

OMT - I am very proud. The concept of pride took on a whole other dimension when I became a mother. It is like this force that you cannot deny. I think it is part of nature's way of creating the parental protection dynamic.

LL - Thanks! Life's real moments are to be savored.

Bob Mrotek said...

¡Felicidades la familia Telerín!

http://mexicobob.blogspot.com/2008/11/pop-culture-001-la-familia-telern.html

AMM,
I can really relate to your post because my mother-in-law Carmen runs a Kinder called "Jardín de Niños Ignacio Allende" and she has been doing so for thirty years. My wife Gina is about to take over and naturally they have dragged me kicking and screaming into the "Inglés" department. It will be my next great adventure :)

Frankly Ronda said...

BM - Went to your link - very cute!
You will be awesome in Inglés! I am looking forward to seeing your posts on the rewards and challenges! It is a wonderful age.

Julie said...

I am so happy for you guys! Sounds like this has been an amazing experience for both of your kids. :) I agree with you-- I am sure this will make a major impact on Oldest Son's life! And so exciting for both of them to have picked up Spanish at such a young age. So proud of you guys for immersing them in a non-expat-catering school & doing everything possible to support them. You guys must be thrilled!!

Linda Lou and Senor, Too said...

What wonderful experiences for your entire family!! Congrats to both your sons, and you and your husband must be very very proud!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to my youngest nephew. I hope this experience helps him when he starts school again back home. Miss you guys.

Uncle John

Husband's Sister said...

We are so proud of our nephews for their accomplishments this last year. You have provided them with an opportunity many don't receive and they ran with it full tilt. We are proud of all of y'all. Hugs and Kisses all around.

Frankly Ronda said...

J - We really are very, very happy with how things have worked out for the kids. There was allot of luck invloved too.

LL - Thanks for the kind words!

UJ and HS - We are all fortunate with the gifts of this next generation ...

Theresa in Mèrida said...

Congratulations! Sounds like both boys came away the winners this school year! Are they looking forward to returning to their "old life" or do they want to stay in Mexico? Children are by nature conservative,so I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to stay (now that they are in Mexico and successful). How are those plans going?

regards,
Theresa

Mike Nickell and Cynthia Johnson said...

Whoa. Great job(s). Your boys rock. We are so happy for you and your adventure this last year.