Thursday, September 3, 2009

Perfect Angel No More

Once upon a time, a teacher once told me that my little boy was a perfect angel. He never got his name on the board. He never was disciplined at school for being naughty or causing problems. He was good...until today.

The perfect record Cooper had built up in three-year-old preschool was tarnished today when he got his name moved to the yellow light. You're probably thinking, 'Yellow light? What's that even mean?'

Well, let me explain.

This year in preschool, they're using a stoplight system to access behavior. If a child is well behaved, his name stays on the green light. If a child is disciplined for poor behavior, his name is then moved to the yellow light and the child loses 5 minutes of play time. Further misbehaving then leads to a move to the red light, resulting in a conference with the parents.

Cooper has now experienced preschool discipline, losing 5 minutes of recess today due to failure to listen and follow the rules.

I can't say I was overly surprised. There was no, 'no way, not my child,' reaction coming from this mom. Yes, Cooper may appear to be a perfect angel as he has been described, but I know better. He is not perfect, none of us are. And when the teacher once described him as such, I just chuckled because I know the real Cooper.


But today Cooper was devastated, I think in part because he can no longer proudly boast that he never gets in trouble at school. {Wish that were the case at home!}

Regardless, Cooper now says he will listen better and stop making jokes because apparently, he learned the definition of a 'class clown' due to his behavior today as well. Teasing and making jokes when the teacher is being serious is not 'susceptible' {meaning acceptable,} as Cooper said when he explained to me what he learned from his behavior.

But really, he does still look like a little angel, doesn't he?



Well let me tell you, looks can be deceiving!

2 comments:

TanyaLea said...

I don't believe it...He's WAY too cute to be in the 'yellow' !!! ;o)
Really though, likely that is all it will take and he's probably now got himself in "check" in his own mind and will remain a little more concious of himself. Cute story!

On another note...thanks for your comment on my blog. I thought I should let you know that you don't have to be crafty or artistic, because you don't have to send or make a quilt square... you just contribute a swatch of fabric that a quilter will use in the quilt. Then you include a clip of that fabric on a sheet of paper with your prayer, a favorite scripture, or blessing that you personalize from your family. It doesn't have to be fancy or even 'scrapbook' style as the one I have as an example. I probably should include a follow-up post, as I know you are not the only one who thought that. Anyhow, hope that clears up any confusion! :)

Have a blessed weekend!! <><
~Tanya

HeatherOz said...

My boys would be so upset if they ever went to yellow (they use a similar system at their school). I am waiting for the day. I don't know how they can be so good at school and give me so much trouble at home! LOL
I'm sure your cute Cooper will be in the green from now on!