Sweethearts party

Since moving into her Chipmunks classroom six weeks ago, Franny has started to open up more with both the kids and teachers.  She knows more of her classmate's names, has met new friends, and talks to her teachers, now.  So, when it came to preparing her Valentines for her class, it was fun to have Franny interested in taking a very active role.  She helped assemble the little foam bears that held a lollipop; selected each child's play-doh color, bear color, and Valentine; put everything in the gift bags; and topped each one with a bonus sticker--an idea she came up with on her own.  She really enjoyed it all and was very excited to take them to her friends at the Sweethearts party at school.  And, although the party itself was a bit overwhelming for her, I am very proud of her in the types of interaction she has obviously developed over the past weeks.  That's not easy work for one so socially apprehensive. It made me realize that I need to not get so frustrated with her when her shyness overwhelms her in what seems to me to be a simple and easy situation--she is figuring it out on her own time and her own way, which is exactly how she should do it.  And, it makes me very thankful that she is in such a supportive and caring learning environment where she can do just that.