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Gillian was sick on Friday so I missed our Parent Teacher Conference. I emailed the following to her teacher:

I think she will gain in the following areas as the year progresses: 1)language and literacy- understanding of letters and sound, recognizing her name and the basic letters, 2)math- Gillian has gained many numeracy skills over the summer and early fall, I expect these to continue as well. Socially, Gillian is growing in leaps and bounds and we are thrilled with her progress. I know she will gain the needed skills as she matures. Gillian tends to be a slow to warm up, slow to move kid, so nothing happens suddenly with her. I know she doesn’t have the fine motor skills of her peers (as far as making letters, shapes and pictures) but she is such a sweet and thoughtful soul that again, I feel these skills will come with time.
 My only concern would be her speech and sound production. How is she doing?”

Her teacher replied that I “sure have her pegged”. *laughs* Gillian has the good fortune of being my second child. I have relaxed my stance on many issues since her birth. She also has been home with me since she turned two. I now believe that many of the concerns that American parents feel about their children aren’t necessarily concerning. I know that Gillian will gain small motor skills as she has the interest. In the last month, she has made dozens and dozens of cards, lists and notes. I can see how her ability to make shapes is affecting her ability to write letters and I would guess that by spring she will be writing her name. Right now, she has little interest. Occassionally, I will ask Gillian if she wants to write her name, typically the answer is, “umm, no, not right now.” Thankfully I have the background information- I know she will develop on a timeline that fits her needs not my own.

So, if you are worried that your preschool aged child isn’t doing what his/her peers are, please be assured that nine times out of ten, your child is just fine!