Graduation to Penguin Room

Paige spent her first week in the Penguin Room, the 12-24 month toddler room. She actually did really well. I had a lot of anxiety around the transition since they sprung it on us with little notice and I really didn't feel she was ready, considering the fact that she's already lagging behind in her language and gross motor skills. On top of that, I was concerned about the large amount of change she was already experiencing having just moved the week before. I spoke to the Goddard School about it several times and they assured me that it was be more of a transition because she would start and end her days with the infants before all of the rooms combine.

I called to check in the first day and they told me she was doing quite well and was so excited when she went outside with all the other kids. Apparently they try to take the infants out but it's not a consistent part of their schedule whereas this group goes out twice a day, weather permitting. She's the only one in the room who isn't walking but she scooted on her butt down the hall and was so excited to join the team. At the end of the day, the brought her back into the infant room and she screamed until they finally brought her back to the Penguin Room...I guess I didn't need to worry!

She only took one nap there although I'm still putting her down twice at home. I think she's almost ready to drop the morning nap officially. While I like the additional time I have to myself, it will be nice to open up my schedule since there's so little that can be done between two naps and three meals. I'm really hoping that her move to this room will also help her advance with her gross motor skills. She just started cruising on the furniture a bit which is really encouraging. I'm thinking she may hit the walking stage right at the average age of 14 months which would be fabulous. Even Diana, the EI therapist, admitted on Friday that it is unlikely that she'll ever crawl. Glad we're all finally in agreement on that one. So we'll see how things progress but I'm definitely optimistic about her improvement.