Kaitlyn went to her first ballet lesson this morning. She was fully equipped with her pink tutu, pink tights, pink shoes. I was not so sure she’d be fully equipped to listen and go along with what the teacher said. I hoped so, though, since the lessons are supposed to last until June.
When we walked in, she rushed right to her little friend from school. The two of them hugged and pranced around the room together. Then two more little girls from their class arrived. Both are French. Both knew Kaitlyn by name. One acted like she recognized me… waving and saying kookoo! (That’s a very informal way of saying hello, and the way most French people will address children.) So I said uh, kookoo. It felt weird saying it. They all sat together, excited and nervous in any language. I was glad to see Kaitlyn at least interacts with some of the French students in her class. Even if she doesn’t know their names, and I bet she doesn’t.
Once class started, all the parents were shooed outside. Most of us stood and watched through big windows. I don’t know how long the teacher will let that continue. Although the weather may take care of that problem for her. I tried to stand so that Kaitlyn couldn’t see me, but she spotted me. She waved, but kept on dancing. She actually followed the directions, which was nice.
Outside, I stood with one of her classmate’s Moms… who also happens to be a teacher for older kids at Kaitlyn’s school. Luckily, she speaks English. She asked me how my French is coming along. I told her slowly. Then she said something that really surprised me. She said that Kaitlyn’s has really come a long way since last year. Huh? Kaitlyn doesn’t speak a word of French, other than to count. Or say merci. This teacher says that she can hear Kaitlyn speaking French on the playground. Not entire sentences, but she knows enough to get her point across about what she does… or doesn’t… want. Who knew?
Such a developing little person, Kaitlyn is. She must be shy about saying things in front of parental units that somehow may seem awkward, and French probably falls into that category. It’s nice to hear that she does use French when that’s the norm for communicating with her friends.