Using Yardsticks

I thought you would all find it interesting that I used our Yardsticks book today in a conversation with my nanny about her 5 year old boy regarding him "talking all day" and his inability to work through issues with the other kids (7, 8, and 9 years old). She was relieved to hear that her son is "perfectly normal" in comparison to all other 5 year olds, according to our textbook. She even asked to see my book, and preceded to flip through the pages the instant she got ahold of it. She was so intrigued, that I offered to leave it at her house so she can read it at her leisure. When she handed it back to me today, she thanked me for sharing the book with her, and said, "All parents should get a hand-out at the beginning of the year with this information in it."

I wanted to share this story with you, as perspective teachers, to illustrate the importance of and interest in this knowledge for parents. Parents are often wondering if certain behaviors are simply a stage, or if they should be concerned. We found the information to be insightful and useful in the classroom, but it is important to remember that we can share this knowledge with the parents in an effort to bridge the communication gap between home and school. I believe it is extremely important that teachers and parents work together, and that open communication is essential in doing so!