Math

Emma is 6 and will be 7 in April. This puts her in the first grade at the fabulous Lee Elementary here in central Austin. She loves school. She is not a genius, but she is pretty smart and tries really hard. First grade is alot different than kindergarten, and we all initially had a difficult time adjusting. Gone is the focus on social skills and comments from teachers like "She is such a helpful child." "She gets along well with everyone." It is now time to get down to the business of learning, dang it!

All of that is well and good. The issue with Emma is that she is a little too tough on herself at times. She gets frustrated very easily with things she cannot do perfectly. She has also started comparing herself with her friends at school. Last night, through tears she said, "But all my other friends can do it." This was in reference to a practice math quiz that we were working on. I tell her that doesn't matter. I tell her that she will do it, maybe just not right now. I tell her that I love her. I try to tell her everything a good parent should during moments like these. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to help. She feels no better, and I feel helpless and useless. So what now?

These moments have been occurring at various times since this school year began. She's not the kind of kid to be ahead of the curve-to catch onto things before everyone else. But, she does eventually get it. And when she does, she nails it. She just needs to ease up on herself.

How do you explain that to a 6 year old?