Walking Home from School
—
Monday:
"What did you do at school today?"
"Don’t know."
Some crisps and a paving stone are his whole world right now.
"Did you have busy time?"
"Yeh."
"What did you do in that?"
"Don’t know."
"Can you remember today’s story? You always finish with a story!"
"No."
—
Tuesday:
"What did you do at school today?"
"Don’t know."
"Did you do phonics today? I think you like phonics."
"Yeh."
"Did you learn another new sound?"
"Yeh."
"What was it?"
"Can’t remember."
—
Wednesday:
"What did you do at school today?"
"Don’t know."
His teacher stops us at the gate. She is, as ever, wildly enthusiastic and assures me that my son has been "an absolute star today, well done young man!"
"What was your teacher talking about little fella? I’m proud of you, she said you’d done well today!"
"Dunno."
"Did you do a special lesson? Did you help her?"
"Can’t remember."
I consider re-training as a hostage negotiator. They’re good at this sort of thing.
—
Thursday:
"What did you do at school today?"
"Don’t know."
"Did you go to assembly?"
"Yeh."
"Who won prizes this week?"
"Can’t remember."
"Who’s that waving at you?"
"That’s Sammy."
"Is he in your class?"
"Yeh.”
“Do you ever play with him?”
“Sometimes… Daddy, I’ve got something to tell you.”
“What’s that my love?”
“Sammy has a cat!"
"Does he? What’s it like? What colour is it?"
"Don’t know."
—
Friday, last day of term:
"Are you looking forward to the holidays? We’ve got some fun things planned!"
"Yeh."
In his bag there’s a folder of work from the last term. Inside are all sorts of treasures; paintings, handwriting, certificates and some photos. In one he’s dressed as a cowboy. In another he’s holding a guitar and sporting a massive grin.
"What are these? What’s happening here?"
"That’s the day we did music."
"You look like you’re having fun. When was this?"
"Don’t know."
"Did you learn a song?"
"Yeh."
"What was it?"
"Can’t remember."