Developmentally Sound

Sorry to have missed a week, folks.  Lainey's immune system is still struggling to keep up with the preschool germs.  Which, in turn, is leaving me struggling to keep up with life.  Lots of sleepless nights and I have seen the Mickey Mouse doctor poster more times than I would like to in the last 14 days! 

So, let's not focus on physical health today; let's take a look at developmental health.

One of my cousins is wrapping up her tour of pediatrics in nursing school and as one of her final assignments, she needed to "assess" a toddler-aged child for developmental milestones.

Well, what a coincidence! I happen to have a toddler-aged child!!

The most commonly asked questions of people when they hear Lainey is a preemie is always "Well, how's she doing developmentally?"

I know they are curious if her being a preemie has had any negative impacts to her growth, but I still cringe at the question.  I generally shrug it off with a "She seems perfect to me." or something of the like.  So, when Torie asked if she could use Lainey as her test subject, I was actually intrigued.

I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to see how Lainey really is doing in terms of her growth, motor skills, and all that jazz.

Pleased to report: She passed.

As to be expected, she passed what she was supposed to pass.

But, then there is the flip side of tests like this...

These tests are very much so a pass/fail scenario.  There is no "well she kind of jump on her own" answer when the form says "Can the child jump with 2 feet of the ground on their own?"

So, here is my qualm with this, and probably more standardized testing to come in our future schooling...

How can one test determine how smart my child is? 

For example, Lainey was asked to identify the cat on a piece of paper.  Well, surely, this would be an easy task for her.  She knows what a cat is, what it says, and how to call the neighbor cat to visit our front porch.  BUT no - she did not identify the cat, nor did she identify the dog on the same paper! 

You've got to be kidding me, kiddo.

Now, of course, I understand the value of baselines and minimum requirements for placements, etc.  There has to be guidelines and things in order for graduating to the next grade or getting into certain programs. I get it.

And what may be more frustrating for me, the mother, is that I know she knows the answers to the things she "failed." 

It just reiterates to me how invaluable a single test can be.  No wonder teachers are not usually fans of SOLs.  I am sure they have value, in fact, I know they do. But that doesn't mean I have to like them, right? 
 
I just don't think one test should hold so much weight.


xoxo,
Linda