Yesterday, we drove an hour and a half to see my stepson, Alex, play in an Allstar baseball game. On the way, we stopped by the local school supply place to pick up the first two Miquon math workbooks for our 5.5 year old, Morganne.
Morganne held her new workbook tightly all the way to the ballpark. When we got there, I offhandedly remarked that she could bring the workbook along just in case she found the ballgame boring. Morganne thought that was a great idea. I hadn't thought to bring a pencil, so she set to work with a pen and crayons. She spent a happy and productive 1.5 hours with her new workbook. She had also forgotten her glasses, so she needed some help reading some of the smaller print.
It was a great ballgame, with Alex's team coming back from a 7-1 deficit to win the game 8-7.
It was after dark when we set out for home. Morganne and Matisse sang for a while and chatted, then Matisse fell asleep. Morganne sighed.
"I'm bored." she said. "I want my math book."
The book was in the very back of our station wagon and it was pitch dark, so we mentioned these facts to Morganne. She accepted the dreariness of the rest of the ride back, but kept wishing for her math book all the way home.
As soon as we got home, she set herself up at the kitchen table and did some more math. She was very reluctant to stop and go to bed.
Garry and I found it touching and a little funny that Morganne could look on math as such a great treat. And, then, I felt a little sad for all of the children who never know the excitement Morganne is feeling about math.
We're going to watch another baseball game today. Maybe I should pack some old college math books, in case it gets boring.
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Heather Madrone. All rights reserved.