Nathanael's adjustment at Kindergarten

An email from my sister-in-law yesterday reminded me that I need to update you all on Nathanael's progress at Kindergarten.  We put out a "call for prayer" of sorts at the end of October, due to a few uncharacteristic behavioral issues, and then we never updated you all.  So here goes.

A bit of background.  In September, Nathanael was moved from the youngest group at the Kindergarten to the oldest group, basically the equivalent of "Kindergarten" in the US.  He and one other boy, who is also four, are the youngest, with most kids being five and many already turning six.  He has seemed to take really well to the transition, even thrive with the higher level of expectations.  Of course, the teacher has commented to me about how he struggles to sit still during their morning circle time, but that worried me not one bit!  What did she expect when she asked to bring a four-year-old boy into her class?! ;)

Still, as October was winding down, we knew something was wrong.  Out of respect for the little guy, I'll spare you the details.  But a handful of things were occurring that are simply not our Nathanael.  We asked for prayer from many of you, not knowing how serious the impetus for this behavior would be, and a couple days later, out of seemingly nowhere, Nathanael opened up to me.

In German, he said, "Mom, some children call me a baby in Kindergarten."  I stayed with him in German, and we talked about who and how often (it was a lot!).  We talked about why they may be saying this, addressing him being the youngest but also talking about how they may have been called the same thing when they joined the older group, not that that makes it right.  And then, we spoke about what to do when other people say mean things about us.  It was such an amazing, teachable moment.  By the end of the conversation, my brave four-year-old felt ready to tackle whatever may be said to him, because he knows that he is loved by God, and by his family.  And I think he better understood what it may look like for him to "love his enemies" with the love of Jesus.  We prayed together, and then I think he probably said something random and seemingly shallow and silly as a transition out of the conversation.  Four-year-olds.

We celebrate God's clear answer to our prayers.  He led Nathanael to speak with us, and He gave me wisdom to stay with Nathanael in German, to allow him to express this heart issue in the language it most affects him.  And in the end, God used it to bless Nathanael and hopefully other children in his Kindergarten group.