Yuxi just started child care early this week on Monday. Its been amazing that she was coping so well. She could wake up early at 7am in the morning, drink her milk, get dressed and be ready to leave the house. She would also pack her bag excitedly with me the night before. On her first day of school, I only stayed with her for the first hour and she was pretty ok to see me go. On the second day, she was all ready to go into the child care centre by herself and to nap there in the afternoon. These were her exact words on the morning of the second day of school: "妈咪，你不用陪我，
我不会哭的." She's such a darling! And indeed, she walked in to the centre, all composed. Later on, when she was led by a teacher to the table to have her breakfast, she sat there quietly, eating oats cereal. And she finished that bowl of oats, all by herself! What a beautiful sight! I didn't think my mischevious little Yuxi could cope so well in a new environment. In the evening, when I fetched her, teacher also informed me that Yuxi slept by herself in the afternoon and slept very well. Needless to say, I'm so surprised. At home, Yuxi would cling to me like superglue, and wants nothing but me to lie down with her when she naps. Not only that, I have to lie very close to her and she will demand that I have to face her, sometimes scratching her back. This daily routine could drag for an hour!
Perhaps it was because Yule took 6 months before she could walk into the child care centre happily, I was all prepared for the drama to unfold when its Yuxi's turn to start school. I couldn't be more happy when none of such drama has happened so far! (Of course, fingers crossed!) When I pondered what makes Yuxi cope so well in child care, compared to Yule at that time, I tend to give myself and the fact that I'm staying at home some credits. Yuxi has been taken care of at home all these while, and got especially close to me for the past (almost) one year of me staying at home. I believe such closeness and bond have helped her to develop a fundamental and deep sense of security and that when its time for her to move on to explore a new environment, she is all ready.
In Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development in infancy and early childhood, a child goes through different stages of development, and if a stage is handled well, the child will feel a sense of mastery and gains confidence. At the age of 2+, Yuxi is at the stage of Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt, where she is learning to do things by herself, and feeling a sense of control and independance. I am happy that I have the opportunity to witness and walk through this stage of development with her, and affirming her little milestone successes from toilet training, to recognizing her ABCs, understanding, following and getting rewarded for certain behavioural expectations and of course being a little helper at home - small steps like putting the dirty laundry away, placing the milk bottle on the kitchen table after finishing the milk, clearing the baby brother's diapers, setting the children table and chairs during meal time and even folding the baby's clothes. The home environment, together with a full time mummy, indeed makes a difference. I am convinced, in the early childhood development, a child's learning is caught, not taught.
Of course, not forgeting the eldest sister in celebrating Mei Mei's successful adjustment in school. Yule is the type of elder sister who likes to lead (and of course who likes to make decision of behalf of others and order others around!) She has given Yuxi a role model in gaining a sense of mastery in many aspects. Though often at loggerheads, Yuxi likes to follow the sister, Yule also enjoys being able to influence the younger one.
Yesterday, on the fourth day of child care for Yuxi, we sent them early, and since in the early morning, the playgroup kiddos and the bigger kiddos are mixed together before they are splitted to their respective classes. Yule and Yuxi were thrilled that they could be together for that short time in the morning! In the evening, the girls reported to me that they were playing around in the morning (I believe making alot of noise too!) and Jie Jie was watching Mei Mei having her breakfast. Mei Mei asked Jie Jie to feed her the cereal and Jie Jie did! So Mei Mei managed to finish her breakfast. with Jie Jie's help. So cute! Can they be so loving and cute all the time??!! Being so sweet.. my girls got their surprise treat when they got home - choice of stickers, evening swim and an ice cream treat at home.
Proud of you, girls!
As for me, I'm enjoying the serenity at home while blogging!
