Give Them Time...

  I spent part of yesterday morning sitting in a doctor's waiting room.  My doctor and her heroic staff are switching from paper records to computer records and while that is awesome in the long run, it means they are running behind a lot these days.

I sat grading homeschooling papers and was quite content, except that I observed a rather sad interaction in the waiting room.

  There was a cute little girl waiting with 2 adults, one definitely her mother, the other probably her grandfather.  The girl looked about 5, possibly 4, almost certainly not 6 years of age.

  The mother was busy filling out paperwork, so the grandfather (?) suggested the little girl read a book with him. They chose "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss, but to my surprise the man insisted that the little girl read it to him.  Well, she couldn't.  It is not a HARD book, but it isn't a very early reader either.  As I said, the little girl seemed very little.  The man helped her sound out a few words but then got impatient and angry, and kept saying things like, "You aren't even trying!  I'm not going to sit here and listen if you won't even try!"

 I have to admit my Mama Bear instincts kicked in and I was indignant, but I didn't say anything.  It wouldn't have done any good.  I was upset with the mother for not interfering, and upset with this older man pushing a small girl to read when she couldn't yet.

  We are pretty STUPID as a culture about early reading.  Yes, some kids read early, but many need more time than parents and teachers and grandparents give them. I was very happy to see that this little girl didn't seem  upset.  After a short time, the man DID give up, and the little girl happily bounced off to spend time with her mom.  Maybe these kind of harangues are "water off a duck's back".  I hope so.

  I realize he may have had good intentions. Many adults do. They want their kids, or grandkids, to succeed.  But friends, let's give them time.  Give them time to develop and learn at the right pace for THEM.  Give them time to be kids.  Give them time to be loved for who they are, not what they can accomplish.  Give them time.