Can you tell me a word that rhymes with Venus?
As you may or may not know, we receive semi-monthly visits from a Parents as Teachers representative. The rep normally shows up with a tote bag filled with wooden puzzles and developmentally-appropriate toys along with milestone worksheets and weird assessment forms to see if the girls are "on track" with their motor skills, comprehension skills, verbal skills, etc.
Yesterday was Harper's day for Comprehension Assessment. Surprisingly, she tested in the 5-6 year category, which earned her a Kick Ass Smart Girl bandanna.
When it was Meredith's turn for Milestone Assessment, she decided to answer everything incorrectly. Suddenly, she had no idea if a pile of sixteen blocks has More Than or Less Than a pile of two blocks. When asked if she knows what city we live in, she answered "Austin." When asked which hand is her right hand, she raised an eyebrow and held up her left hand. (It was sort of funny until I realized that all of her incorrect answers were being documented.)
Parents as Teachers Lady (PaTL): Do you think she knows how to make rhyming words?
Me: I'm sure she does. She's always writing songs.
PaTL (probably realizing that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree or something): Meredith, can you tell me a word that rhymes with Sock?
Meredith: Yes. Cock.
That answer earned her the Smart Ass Girl bandanna.
And that was the end of the assessment.
(And before you get all squirrelly on me, please know that she has absolutely no idea what Cock might mean. She could have easily come out with Bock, Vock, Yock, or Fock.)
Oh! Oh! Before I forget! The folks at Flawed But Authentic are having a contest! The rules are so easy: Send in a picture of your family and you could win a Flickr Pro account and some spectacular bath goods! How nice is that?!
Submitted by
All Adither
at 1/10/2008 1:45:10 PM- Consider yourself fortunate that she didn't ask what rhymes with Luck or Knit.
Submitted by
FP
at 1/10/2008 2:02:15 PM- Blackbird--It's a free service, and we signed on shortly before Harper was born to make sure Meredith was "on track" (whatever that means) developmentally, and to see if they could offer any advice on introducing a new baby into the family. Basically, we did it for Meredith. I really do like our rep, although I think the materials they use are more than a bit outdated. (Performing a hearing check by shaking a bottle of dimes behind a kid's head seems a bit odd to me, but what do I know?)
Meredith will age out of the program in a few months, and when Harper starts pre-school next year, we might quit it altogether.
It's really great for parents who feel like their kid might be a bit behind. The PAT reps have some really great resources and because the service is free, it's a Godsend for many of the lower income families in the area.
All Adither--You are so right. I can't even tell you how many times I've heard Meredith singing "Buck, Cuck, Luck, Suck, Muck..." I always remind her to be careful.
Submitted by
SarahO
at 1/10/2008 2:21:46 PM- So THAT'S why Kids Say the Darndest Things went off the air.
Submitted by
You can call me, 'Sir'
at 1/10/2008 2:36:43 PM- HELLOOOOOOO!!!! It's a ROOSTER!!!!
I'll throw big fat 'Yay' at Meredith's refusal to conform to society's expectations of block-counting and geography.
Submitted by
Just Beachy
at 1/10/2008 3:04:18 PM- That is so awesome! I think she may be gifted. This reminds me of when four year old Brother would go around telling every girl to sit on his face. Not very popular with the gymnastics teacher.
Submitted by
Just Me
at 1/10/2008 8:00:13 PM- Did you know that yahoo had a headline story/video today entitled "man regains hand use after doctors replace thumb with toe"?
Because you should.
Submitted by
Jaynee
at 1/10/2008 9:25:33 PM- Happy Delurking Day! Although technically I'm not a lurker since I comment here about once a month. But I thought I would do it anyway.
Oh, and I love MC.
Submitted by
PlanningQueen
at 1/10/2008 11:20:42 PM- You have to love a bit of rhymimg! This is the first time that I have had a look at your blogand your sense of huomor is wicked! I really enjoyed what I read.
Submitted by
Amy
at 1/11/2008 3:41:04 AM- How many times can I tell you I want Meredith to be the mother of my grandchildren before it gets creepy?
I saw the toe-thumb today too and thought of you.
Submitted by
MomOnTheGo
at 1/11/2008 8:11:08 AM- Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was a lovely way to start my day. We still hear a few odd words because my 3 year old is still getting her consonant sounds in order. And since the daycare has two mini toilets and no sex segregation, p*nises come up as dinner time conversation occasionally. I suppose it is disconcerting for non-parents.
Submitted by
FP
at 1/11/2008 9:06:23 AM- Amy--I hate to admit this, but it took about three minutes and a cup of coffee before I realized what you meant. For some reason, I thought you wished to have Meredith as a grandma! (She would actually make a pretty crappy grandma--she can't drive, she can't bake, and she can't tell you any weird stories about your mother. But now I get it!)
Submitted by
flatflo
at 1/11/2008 3:30:57 PM- In the stories they say you have ESP not only if you get more than the average number right, but also if you get more than the average number wrong. So maybe the PAT person will realize that Meredith was smart enough to "throw" the test!
Submitted by
Heather B.
at 1/14/2008 9:45:24 AM- Heh. Don't think I'm not sitting over hear giggling and sounding like a 15 year old boy. Immature, I know.
Submitted by
Susan
at 1/14/2008 3:23:33 PM- *Snort* Can't help but chuckle at stuff like that. I'd like to think that she knew what she was doing. She's a smart one, that girl.
Submitted by
DeS
at 1/25/2008 12:04:29 PM- Crap...cappucino meet monitor... :-D
Can I ask WHY you have visits from people called Parents as Teachers representatives?