A first grader lost a tooth during my class the other day. We were sitting on the rug, singing, when he popped up, looking a little surprised, and announced that his tooth had fallen out. Judging by his calm reaction, I assumed this was not his first time around the tooth-losing block. I smiled and offered a rather un-enthusiastic "congratulations" (don't judge - it had been a long day) and told him to go to the nurse. He hesitated for a second before asking, "for what?" so I explained that the nurse would give him something to put it in and sent him on his way. As he headed toward the door, assuming that no one was watching, he did a victory jump - the kind you where can almost hear the accompanying triumphant "YESSSS!" It was a bit out of character for this typically quiet and reserved little boy, so I asked if it was his first tooth. His face broke into a huge grin when he nodded yes and as he walked out the door he said, "My dad is going to be SO proud of me!" I congratulated him and agreed that his dad would indeed be very proud.
After he left my room, a slew of comments and questions began, many of which were complaints from kids who had not yet reached this exciting milestone. I reassured them that it would happen eventually and told them that my niece, also in first grade, had just lost her first tooth. When they asked if it happened while she was at school, I told the unfortunate story of how she lost it in the sand on the playground during recess. The horrifying thought of actually losing one's first lost tooth sent them into a frenzy, wondering if she still got paid. Upon confirmation that she received her money, another boy stood up and frantically shook his hand. He began telling me the story of how his mom had also lost a lost tooth and weirdly enough, had also still been paid. With the most bewildered look on his face, he asked, "HOW DOES SHE KNOW?!"
He's not the only one with questions for the Tooth Fairy. I want to know why she's dishing out a lot more cash these days... and if I can get retroactive pay, with interest.
After he left my room, a slew of comments and questions began, many of which were complaints from kids who had not yet reached this exciting milestone. I reassured them that it would happen eventually and told them that my niece, also in first grade, had just lost her first tooth. When they asked if it happened while she was at school, I told the unfortunate story of how she lost it in the sand on the playground during recess. The horrifying thought of actually losing one's first lost tooth sent them into a frenzy, wondering if she still got paid. Upon confirmation that she received her money, another boy stood up and frantically shook his hand. He began telling me the story of how his mom had also lost a lost tooth and weirdly enough, had also still been paid. With the most bewildered look on his face, he asked, "HOW DOES SHE KNOW?!"
He's not the only one with questions for the Tooth Fairy. I want to know why she's dishing out a lot more cash these days... and if I can get retroactive pay, with interest.