So tonight at dinner, Kameron asked me, "What IS Down syndrome? I mean, I know it's something Kennedy HAS, but what IS it?" I asked him why he was asking and he said that a bunch of kids in his class were asking. They were asking questions about Kennedy.
When Kassidy was in Kindergarten, I was in her class A LOT. I was always in there taking pictures, helping out with parties and whatever else her teacher needed. Kennedy was just a baby at the time. I took the chance during October for Down syndrome awareness month and went to every Kindergarten class and read them a book about Down syndrome. It was very simple stuff, on their level. They loved it.
When Kameron started Kindergarten, Kennedy was going through chemo, and even though I kept saying I wanted to come in and read to all the classes, the year got away from me and I never did. Still though, whenever I was in his class or Kassidy's class, for parties or field trips or whatever, Kennedy was just... Kennedy. Kassidy's friends know her well and they adore her. I think she may know more 4th graders this year than she does Kindergartners! LOL
Fast forward to this year and here is Kennedy. Kameron sees her at recess and will go give her a hug before he runs off to play with his friends. He's such a great brother! His friends are maybe noticing now though that Kennedy is tiny... really tiny and maybe different than the other kids in her class, and so, like any curious 8 year old would, they are asking questions. Which leads to Kameron tonight asking me, "What IS Down syndrome?"
So now I'm left to wonder if I go into explaining extra copies of 21st chromosomes, which really, Kameron would probably totally understand if I showed him a karyotype and explained everything, but his friends would probably look at him and say, "uh huh" with glossed over eyes (lol). Or do I go into the Kindergarten explanation I used all those years ago for Kassidy's class, which might be a little young (and boring) for them, or do I need to come up with a whole new eight year old explanation of Down syndrome? Either way, I'm excited they're asking questions and that they WANT to understand Kennedy... What would YOU tell an 8 year old about Down syndrome?
(And it's a reminder to me that I need to get into the Kindergarten classes this year. It's all about education right?)
Monday, November 23, 2009
What is Down syndrome?
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11 comments:
I think, if I were you, I'd come up with a simplified explanation for Kameron's friends.
My 8 year old twins asked what spina bifida was (their youngest brother has the condition) and I told them that Joshua's spinal cord was outside of his back when he was born and that is what makes his legs not work as well as theirs do. They were satisfied with that answer and it was on a level they understood.
What would I tell an 8 year old about Down Syndrome? I think I'd say that a chromosome is like a computer and it stores all the information about what makes each person the way they are. Then I'd tell them that most people have 21 pairs of chromosomes, but people with DS have an extra one and that is why Kennedy looks a little different. Then I'd emphasize that even though people with DS have extra chromosomes and look a little different than what most kids are used to, they are just as capable of doing the same things that any other 8 year old can do and they like to have friends and play games just like anyone else.
I'm pretty much of the "keep it simple" philosophy since the bottom line is that people are people and everyone has the same need for love and acceptance, regardless of their physical appearance or abilities. :)
When you figure this out, please post the solution, so that us other moms can explain it better to our 9 year olds, lol. Steven the other day said, "it's cool that Patrick has Down syndrome, it makes him flesible", heehee. He kinda gets it?
Imagine you are in your classroom at school, all of the children in the class have a copy of the exact same page from the exact same coloring book. The teacher gives every student except for ONE, two crayons to color their picture. The one other child is given three crayons with which to color.
When all the pictures are finished, the teacher looks through them all. Each one of the pictures are made from the same original design, but with the help of the two colors they became something unique and special. Now the last picture, the one colored with three crayons is even more special. Not because it's better or worse, but because when it was created, it was given an extra color. A third one that the others do not have. This third color makes the picture a little different than all the others. A little more noticeable and unusual. WE think that the extra color makes the picture even more beautiful because it stands out from all the rest.
Now imagine that Vincentio's (my son) chromosomes are like the crayons. He was made with that wonderful extra color. Instead of having two like most other people, he is one of those special people created with three!
How about the chromosome cake recipe?
http://trisacharm.blogspot.com/2009/11/chromosome-cake.html
Ok, I've got nothing helpful for you at the moment, but you've gotta love what Lyndi's son said...I love how sometimes for kids things are so simple.
I struggle myself, at church and in different situations, trying to explain it to kids. I know these days the focus seems to be on how much "the same" they are than different...but kids want to know what is different...because they pick up on something they can't identify. Jessie says words in a little different order than other kids, she certainly has a different walk...sometimes kids seem to be a little more patient or understanding with little things when they know the difference has a name, "Down syndrome".
Hope these words won't be misunderstood. I love every little "different" thing about Jessie.
Most 8-year-olds have heard about DNA. Explaining to them that the DNA carries all the important info that make our bodies work, and it is made into 46 chromosomes - like a computer game with more than one disc, each chromosome carries a certain amount of that information. More or less of them makes differences in the game and more or less chromosomes make differences to a person's body. Some of these are cool (Flexibility is awesome!), some are less than fun.
I'm sure you'll figure out just the right way to explain it!
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I just loved Stephanie's crayon metaphor. I am going to try that one out on my boys (6 & 3) and see what they think!
I have a "just 8 year old" BOY(as of last week!), and have been posed with this question before. I find that boys inparticular just want an answer and don't really care (yet) about all the other love, mush and gushy stuff (although we all know our kids are loving and feel mushy gushy about them!). I've said you body is made up of chromosomes that tell things about you - your eye color, your hair color, etc. - it's like a map of you. Some people have MORE than the usual amount of chromosomes and can make them have a harder time learning things, have a harder time with muscle strength, and may give them different facial features. The name Down syndrome does not mean that people look "down" on her, it was the name of the doctor who found the extra chromosomes in people. "Oh, okay" - and thus far far, this has worked and he appears confident with the answer and can explain just that to his school mates....Hope this helps!! There are 2 books I've bought for when he gets older.
Debbie in PA (yes Renee, it's the first time I've posted on your blog!)
I love Stephanie's explanation! That's fantastic :)
My friend Adam's sister has DS too. She is also tiny, like Kennedy. She's only 3 months younger than I am, yet she's about a foot shorter.
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