Arguing with Teacher

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We had a most entertaining time at Isaiah's kindergarten graduation yesterday. He trooped across the stage and took his place in front of his chair along with his classmates. The most entertaining part of the whole thing was when Isaiah began arguing with his aide, in sign language. He had decided that he wanted to sit down but it wasn't time to sit yet. His aide tapped him on the arm and signed for him to stand. He looked at her stood up and signed that he wanted to sit. We watched them sign back and forth, "stand" "sit" "stand" "sit" "stand," with Isaiah occasionally whispering "sit down," for perhaps a minute before Isaiah decided to remain standing with his classmates.

We watched the kids sing/sign the songs that they had been learning all year long. I don't know if they were taught the signs for Isaiah's benefit or if they would have been taught them even if he hadn't been a part of the class. I hope they have the opportunity to continue learning sign language.Isaiah didn't sing along with everyone else despite knowing all of the songs but his aide told us that he would begin singing quietly just before everyone else started singing.

I was again impressed by how willing a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds were to interact with Isaiah in a manner that was comfortable for him and just how comfortable he was with all of them. At one point after the ceremony was over Isaiah was caught up in a four way hug. Kids were dragging their parents over to our table so they could take a picture with Isaiah. This didn't go over so well when Isaiah noticed that someone was pointing a camera in his direction. The camera was hastily put away and Isaiah was very nearly buried under a pile of friends seeking to comfort him.

Here's to the class of 2020, may you always be as accepting and understanding as you are now.

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