fishy fun
The Bun had an interesting day at playschool today. This term they're learning all about food, and so far they've done things like make their own chapati, decorate cupcakes, and experiment with carbonated water. Today involved fish - two whole fish, fresh from the market and suffusing the entire classroom with a slightly fishy smell. The parents sat back a bit but the kids were fascinated, particularly The Bun, who picked each one up with both hands to investigate with no qualms at all. I was a little afraid that he would try to kiss it! The teacher then butterfly sliced the fish so that everyone could see what was inside - heart (I didn't expect how big it was), innards, bones, etc. The kids who were willing touched the gills, fiddled with the heart, felt the scales, and as for The Bun, he tried to pick its eyes out. It's great how little children have very few preconceptions about ickiness. He asked later on why we didn't end up eating it!
Today another parent commented that The Bun is a little eccentric. I wouldn't have really used the word 'eccentric' but I replied something along the lines of 'yes, he's a great quirky little kid' because aren't all kids this age really weird and idiosyncratic? Maybe she made the comment because these last couple of weeks in school, The Bun has been deliberately cheeky and oppositional, giving bizarre answers on purpose (e.g. Teacher: 'what do you like to eat?' The Bun: 'errr... lights!') and taking on various animal personas. Today, for example, he was alternately a cat or a turtle. He had a 'turtle face' on and told the teachers that he couldn't do the finger actions to a song because he has 'claws, not fingers'. He also insisted on spelling his name 'C-A-T' and miaowing in response to questions. At snack time the children were served carrot sticks, amongst other things, and he asked, 'do turtles eat carrots?' (answer: YES) before biting in. And then there was his obsession with picking out the fish's eyes. The teachers of course just took it in their stride and played along.
I don't think there's anything wrong with being eccentric, if that's even an accurate description of his behaviour. As far as I'm concerned he's just being himself - imaginative, silly, and hamming it up for the crowd. After all, you're only (almost) three once; you may as well live it up and be as weird for as long as you can get away with it!
Today another parent commented that The Bun is a little eccentric. I wouldn't have really used the word 'eccentric' but I replied something along the lines of 'yes, he's a great quirky little kid' because aren't all kids this age really weird and idiosyncratic? Maybe she made the comment because these last couple of weeks in school, The Bun has been deliberately cheeky and oppositional, giving bizarre answers on purpose (e.g. Teacher: 'what do you like to eat?' The Bun: 'errr... lights!') and taking on various animal personas. Today, for example, he was alternately a cat or a turtle. He had a 'turtle face' on and told the teachers that he couldn't do the finger actions to a song because he has 'claws, not fingers'. He also insisted on spelling his name 'C-A-T' and miaowing in response to questions. At snack time the children were served carrot sticks, amongst other things, and he asked, 'do turtles eat carrots?' (answer: YES) before biting in. And then there was his obsession with picking out the fish's eyes. The teachers of course just took it in their stride and played along.
I don't think there's anything wrong with being eccentric, if that's even an accurate description of his behaviour. As far as I'm concerned he's just being himself - imaginative, silly, and hamming it up for the crowd. After all, you're only (almost) three once; you may as well live it up and be as weird for as long as you can get away with it!