I had to bring cookies for Sy's (that's what Ms Laman and his classmates call him) first Halloween school party. That was the only option left to sign up for. I don't bake. So....I went to Vons, bought some plain sugar cookies, bought some black frosting, bought some orange frosting, and bought some cake decorating tips that fit right onto the icing tube. Awesome! Went home, iced out H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N and then some jack o' lantern faces. It worked out great, who needs to learn how to bake?
It was my first time being in class with Sy. All he wanted was a drink, but it wasn't snack time yet. He kept saying "uong nuoc". I wonder if that is something he also says to his teachers and of course they don't understand. Snack time got set-up and each plate had food brought in by all the students' parents. There was a carrot and celery on everyone's plate with the sweet treats. Sy picked up his celery and carrot and said "Yucky!". He attempted to put it on a friend's plate. I told him he didn't have to eat it. I wonder what the teachers think when they hear him say that? They probably think his parents don't ever give him vegetables...He finished all the grapes and told me he wanted more. I told him to ask Miss Sandy. He said, "Miss Sandy, more nho". Silly kid, it's grapes. After snack time, we had recess and then came back to the class. It was sleepy time where Ms Laman asks the students what do you see in your dream? Sy has no idea what a dream is, I've never even use that word with him before. The teacher called each student and each one answered saying ghosts, monsters, princess...It was Sy's turn and he thinks for a moment and says "Monsters!" I am a proud mom. He must go through class having to be attentive all the time, because most of the time he probably just doesn't understand...
After that Monday, I've been doing my best to teach him how to ask for things. "May I...please." It must be hard for him with the language barrier. Everyone says they pick up English so quickly, but something as simple as wanting a drink can't be clearly communicated. We don't see the day to day struggles ESL kids go through, we just know they come home speaking a lot more English than before. And seeing him struggle just doesn't feel good. I know it will get better because he is learning and there is much to learn.
