To make a long story short, I made a deal with a five year old. It becomes harder and harder each year for me as the students I deal with are often working with a professional "Child Pleaser" (myself) and for some reason, they call my bluff when I give them an offer that I always think - they will have to refuse.
This time, I was conned by a little girl who was given one simple task: to master one alphabet in one summer in exchange for one book.
When I initially completed the baseline, she knew about 9 letters of the 26 and I thought that I had the upper hand. She would work on the alphabet in her spare time however, I factored in her becoming distracted by television, play dates, tea parties and ballet and then I would walk off with the Princess Book collection that I had. (Yes, I believe that knowing how to read all the letters in the alphabet in exchange for another book that she can read. My prizes are very utilitarian.. Example, for my nieces 2nd birthday I bought her two coloring books in different languages. I was scolded by my brother for it - I explained that I was exercising my right to spread the gift of early multi-language development..) Back to my story, I was wrong - so wrong because the little five year old client did the unthinkable..
Until these little 3 foot tall clients start making me sign contracts - it was a negotiation war. Each week I would work on reviewing various sounds and assigning new sounds to her. I would track progress and noticed that there was a very steep upward curve in her phonemic awareness. She would sit across me and revel in these tiny successes as we talked about lemonade, party dresses, and Princess trivia. Her numbers looked better and better each week: 18 letters to 12 letters to 9 letters to 3 letters and then... there were two.
"What does the letter "y" say?" I thought I had a slam dunk - she wouldn't get this, what is it to a party princess poser to wait another week for a book on Sleeping Beauty? "Ms. Christine, y says...." and then she said it. She knew the sound....
Not only the sound for "y" - but the sounds of all the letters of the alphabet. She tore my book up - grabbed all of my puzzle pieces and went to town with my letters, my books, and my toys. I never thought that any little child would be able to top my fierce will to fight to be right and win by any means possible. "Princess Power" mode kicked in - she annihilated me and the books that I was hiding from society for years and years (a 12 book volume based on Disney Princesses). She did all of this - with the help of her secret weapon.
It was Grandma!! A former school teacher, Grandma had moved into the house (temporarily) and spent the last few weeks helping little princess learn the alphabet. My little client never disclosed this quiet fact - but somehow it didn't matter. She had the confidence of an Olympic Athlete with the mental strength of a Mensa Institute member. "Grandma helps me with writing and reading..", she said in her very coy voice. "That's not cheating is it?"
Sweetheart - it's never cheating when Grandma or Grandpa help you - it's a little thing called LOVE!
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