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Starting Kdg.

Sami is starting Kdg. on Thurs. She is SO excited!! So far, Sami hasn't had any issues what so ever about making friends. However, lately, she has been more aware of people staring and...at times...can be a bit, well, let's just say, a little annoyed about it. Other times, she just gives a full medical run-down and explains that all this makes her more special.

What I am debating is taking to the class??? Do I go ahead and talk to them (with or without Sami there), do I wait and see if it's needed? And, what do I say?? Any advice from those of you who have been there??

Thanks!

Libbi

Last year, my daughter was in preschool at the local public school. I sent in 2 books and gave the teacher the option of reading them to the class: "Harry and Willy and Carrothead" by Judith Caseley and "Imagine... Amazing Me" by you (Libbi Chilia). The teacher read both to the class during the first week of school. The kids loved both books. While looking at the pictures in "Imagine Amazing Me", the teacher asked the class "What do you notice in this picture?". The children responded with "Her dress is pretty." They didn't even talk about the physical difference that the pictured child had. I think it helped open the door for discussion about my daughter's short leg without throwing it in their face. I plan to allow her teacher this year to borrow the books.

Beth

Thanks, Beth...and thanks for spreading the word about our book!! I'll talk to the teacher about reading Imagine...Amazing Me!! I thought about reading it to the class myself. Good suggestion. :)

I didn't do this until fifth grade, when I started a new school. By that time, kids DO notice things more (I agree in grade K, some kids don't notice and some notice but don't really need such a long/in-depth discussion about it). I don't remember kids in grade K making a big deal about it.

By fifth grade, though, I think kids w/PFFD realize that if you bring it up first, it breaks the ice & then the whole situation diffuses a little. The first day of class was show & tell (if you meet w/the teacher prior to the first day, he or she may be willing to incorporate this into the beginning of the class). I went up with my first prosthetic leg, which looked like it belonged to a doll. I showed it to the class, passed it around and then showed them my current prosthesis and explained that I was born with w/PFFD (back then I think I just said I was born with one really short leg- didn't know the term PFFD back then). It was nice to take control of the situation right from the start and to make sure people knew I wasn't insecure.

Again, grade K to grade 5... big leap, so there was a different strategy. In grade K we did nothing. I just showed up for class and had a GREAT day. I think bringing those books to class is a great idea for grade K... mild enough for grade K. It addresses it for the kids who care and for the kids who don't notice, it's just another good book.

On another note, my daughter had to wear an eye patch when she started grade K. The teachers were awesome. They had a craft activity the first day she had to wear the patch where all the kids got to make patches for themselves. So everyone was wearing a patch that day. I was particularly touched by this, especially because I know that being different can be a challenging blessing. But honestly, my daughter was SO cool about that patch. Because I've always talked to her about how some people stare at me and I don't mind because the world would be a REALLY boring place if everyone was the same. I think she learned early on that being different can be really cool. One kid DID come up to her and point to the patch on her face, sort of teasing and giggling. I was standing right beside her. She smile at him and said, "You should see my mom's leg." We both laughed.

Jennifer

When Allison started kindergarten last year her prothetist had offered to come to her class and talk about making her prosthesis and just how everyone was similar/different in many ways. I came to class too and Allison went to the front of the class and showed everyone her leg, took her sock off so they could she her prosthetic foot too, with painted toenails which the kids thought was awesome. She was actually excited about it and glad to have a chance to just get it out in the open so she could move on from explaining it to kids. I also sent home a note explaining to the parents that this person had visited their class and what they talked about. I didn't want a child going home telling their parents they saw a fake foot and the parents unsure if they were telling the truth. It was nice to get it out in the open with parents too, so they didn't wonder. Later in the year, Allison brought your book in for sharing and was excited to have it read.

Allison started first grade last week and I'm debating how to handle it this year since she knows some of the kids. I know she gets tired of answers questions thought so we'll see. Perhaps we'll bring in your book as an opening. Good luck. We need to plan to have the girls meet again. It was so great to meet you all last year.

Cheryl