Little Support Systems

Just a little reflection. It is so interesting to see that even at this young age, our toddlers, have built their own support system or found support buddies in their day-to-day environment. Our children are basically growing up with each other and as one (or two) moves on to the older classrooms or different classrooms, they have to find their environment again but it became crucial to have a friend to lean on. Not much different compared to the grown-up world where even as adults, we seek the familiarity to guide us in uncharted territory.

For Erik, he has not yet transferred to the older classroom if 2 and 3 year olds. However, as his older friends leave like Kelly, Jackson, and Gabriel, he regularly peeks over to the big kids' yard longing to be with them. At the same time, Erik also leans on his other buddies more, such as Karalyn, who became the classroom "mommie" after the steps of Miss Kelly.

Mondays are always a little hard for Erik and he can get clingy but not crying or whiny, just wanting extra hugs and kisses from Mommy or Daddy. Who wouldn't want those affections from their own mommy or daddy!?!. Usually we drop him off outside but this morning, it was inside since Mommy was a little early. Erik was a bit apprehensive in going into his classroom so a big squeeze and hug outside and into the room we go. He immediately looked around and got clingy, until Mommy pointed out, "Look there's Karalyn playing" and really, it was like a "sigh! of relief - good, my friends are here!" and he happily trotted over and got a Duck Puppet to play with. Then he saw Audrey in the next room, always grinning away, and Erik definitely got a lot more comfortable and even sat down by himself on the table with Luke.

Daddy Chhimi has also introduced a new 'pick-up routine' for Erik. He gets to go to the big kids yard at the end of the day and there Miss Kelly is one of his big support buddy and vice versa. Kelly would wait for Erik to cross the big wooden gate and give a big HUG for a friendly greeting. And OFF they go...to the xylophones, to the big sand pit, to the bikes, etc. These two even pretend to have 'picnics' together with the wood chips! One day when Kelly was picked up early, Erik literally searched high and low for his "Bid Kid" buddy. Jackson is another that loves to come and greet Erik as well. Last Friday, Jackson led prego Mommy Allison all the way across the yard just to play xylophone with Erik and those two shared so nicely and played quite a harmonious tune!

I am so glad that Erik is already building his network of support and hopefully also giving support to others as well! It's an added bonus when the parents actually like each other and want to hang out on the weekends too with the kids! It really gives them a lot more interaction opportunities with each other.




Who wouldn't want to befriend this little guy?



I'm already dreading the Kindergarten age when most of us will go our 'separate ways' via public school or private school! ARGH!