So, Enslie June is going to be turning three in a few months and because of this, she will be aging out of the First Steps Program and transitioning into the school district. I ask you all to think back (or forward) to dropping your five year old off to kindergarten. Remember the tears (probably from both of you). Remember the worry. Now, I ask you to envision dropping that same child off when they were three and add to that, the fact that they cannot walk or speak. That is where I am. How am I dealing with it, you may ask. Fabulously. So, as far as our every day life goes, we are all good. I find myself stressing about her and her abilities or lack thereof way less than I use to but this is definitely a push of my own ability to compartmentalize. So, as a coping mechanism, I have decided to write my daughter’s teacher a very detailed list…an instruction manual if you will. I am sure she (they) will be super pumped at the prospect of reading this….hehe.
Enslie June, Age 3 (by the time you’re reading this)
Goes by: Enslie June, Ennie, Ennie J, Ennie Boo Boo, Ennie bug, bad baby, En.
Likes: Her momma, her daddy, one of her sisters, baby shark, hugs, music, creepy Cat in the Hat movie.
Dislikes: one of her sisters, dogs…all dogs, all animals for that matter, random men in her life that she likes every other time she sees them, beards, people wearing glasses, working hard, baby shark if she isn’t in the mood.
Strengths: Smiling, making others smile, throwing away trash, bunny hops very fast, eating anything you offer her, listening to anyone besides her momma.
Weaknesses: Walking unless she feels like it, anything that requires precision with her fingers, trying new things, leaving her momma.
Cues for reading her mind…this is much needed and very important. Should be read over multiple times.
Rubs the side of her head: This means something hurts (not necessarily her head…she might have smashed her finger or stubbed her toe), she is stressed, she is tattling (as in someone hurt me), to lie and try to get someone in trouble for hurting her when she’s mad at them.
Signing the word please (rubs chest): This means she REALLY wants something. It is also very sweet and cute…she knows this and will use it to manipulate others into giving in and doing what she wants so beware and good luck.
Patting a soft surface: She wants a drink. I know, I know. This is a strange way to communicate that…but she doesn’t like straws. She doesn’t like holding cups up high to drink out of them. She likes to lay down on a pillow and drink out of a sippy cup. So, to tell us this, she pats a soft place that she would like to lay on and needs you to be a dear and grab her a cup and maybe even help her lay down for a bit.
Smiling very big and then pushing her head way back: She is happy…so happy in fact that she would really like for you to just go ahead and kiss her neck. I understand you might not be comfortable doing this so a big hug would likely work in its place.
Clapping: She is happy because she made a good choice…likely after contemplating making a bad choice. Example: She picks up something and almost throws it, knowing it is against the rules. She then sets it down and claps to let you know that she is a good girl and made a good choice. She would appreciate you clapping for her too and telling her that she is, in fact, a good girl.
Looking all around the room smiling: She believes she looks cute and would like EVERYONE in the room to tell her that she is very pretty. It is way easier to just have everyone comply and then you can move on with you day.
Cheeks puffed out and lips pursed: She is utterly unimpressed. Happens every time an animal or a suspicious character…you know like her pop some days walks by.
Patting a chair: She would like for you to put her in it. If it is a chair that spins, she would probably like for you to go ahead and give her a few spins.
Lip puckered: This means she is very sad. This doesn’t happen often and isn’t to be taken lightly.
Vocab Manual:
Momma/dada/daddy: She is happy. She only says these things when she is happy and presumably thinking about us.
Ugh: Means up or down or uh oh…depending upon the situation of course.
Yeaaaaaaaah: This means yes although she does lie on occasion and it means no but as a general rule if you ask her a question and she says, “yeaaaaah,” it means yes. Silence means no.
Fine Print Instructions
Ennie is our most precious thing. She has only ever known love. She is teachable but stubborn. She requires patience but is also precious. She understands far more than she can communicate and far more than her body will allow her to do. Please handle with care as we are handing over a child that we have almost lost twice. We are having to trust that you will take care of her and protect her as she is incapable of protecting herself or letting us know if something bad was to happen. Please love her like we do for the hours she is in your care. And, I mean, if you insist, I can probably come with her and just let her sit on my lap during class. 🙂
