Preschool Days

Thursday was Elise's last day in Preschool. It has been such an amazing year for her! She has had the best teachers and therapists you could imagine. I have loved every one of them! They all simply adore Elise, I mean, who wouldn't?


This year Elise had two classroom teachers -- Miss Nancy and Miss Maryanne, a physical therapist -- Sheri, and a speech therapist -- Judy. She loved all of them, but poor Sheri got the raw end of the deal! Since she puts Elise through lots of physical motions, moving her in ways she doesn't like, and makes her do things that basically make her work, she doesn't like Sheri quite so much. And Sheri tried so hard!! She has done so much wonderful work for her and has given me lots of fantastic advice for at home. Whenever Elise would hear Sheri come into the room she would start to fuss and throw a fit -- she knew what was coming! :)

Elise has grown a lot in her gross motor function, her core strength, and her fine motor skills. She has recently been able to stand on her own, while propped against an object. We are still working on getting her to tolerate a crawl position, which is important for shoulder and arm strength, as well as core balance. She has gotten good at holding small items, like crayons and paint brushes, and knows how to do a "coloring" motion. She is also working on using a spoon, although that one is still a ways off.

About one month ago we got some orthotics for her feet to stabilize them a little more and enable her to stand. She has been starting to roll her feet out and they are harder to form into the correct position, so orthotics were called for. She hates putting them on, but once they are in place she doesn't seem to mind them.

Next year will be the start of a new adventure. Elise will be going to Kindergarten! She will have the same therapy as Preschool, but will be going the same hours as Kindergarten, five days a week. She will also be going to a different school, which is always hard, but I know that she will adjust with time. Everyone always loves her so much, and she loves all the special one-on-one attention she receives at school! I know it will be another year of wonderful growth and changes!