First Grade

In January, I took Isaac to the Gesundheithaus, public health center, in Pankow for his first grade health check up. All kids getting ready to start the first grade must go to the doctor in order to test their readiness. {Gesundheithaus in Pankow}

We entered the Altbau, old building, which looked like it’d been there through both wars.

However, after a little research, I discovered it was built in 1928.

The inside was still quite dated. However, while sitting in the waiting room, I noticed a beautiful fountain and tiles that could easily be from several generations ago.

{Gesundheithaus Pankow}

We were called back to an exam room where Isaac was asked to take off his clothes and shoes, other than his underwear. He was hesitant to take off his pants as we have taught him about his private parts and to be leery of grown ups who ask him to disrobe. Of course, doctors, while in the presence of his parents, were excluded from this ban. But he had little experience in this department, so one could hardly fault him for his hesitation. He finally complied.

Next, the doctor weighed him and measured his height and head circumstance. Unlike in the States, there was no mention of percentiles or comparisons to other kids. He was normal and that’s all that mattered.

After dressing, he was asked to hop back and forth over a line while being timed and then to hop on one leg, one side at a time. Though he is very activity and quite strong, we know that Isaac can struggle with these tasks as well as with fine motor skills. I just sat and watched.

We were then lead back to the waiting room and were called again around ten minutes later.

The next set of tests involved writing and as well as visual and math problems. Isaac struggled with the writing and drawing, but did well with the visual and math problems, even answering some questions in German.

I sat there knowing his strengths and weaknesses, but still somehow felt nervous hoping our boy would be approved to start the first grade.

We discussed his weaknesses and assured her that we are working with and occupational therapist to help him, which we are. She asked which school he would be attending and we told her about Platanus, the bilingual school Ben attends. She asked if he was accepted and we told her yes and that we had just signed the contract earlier that week. She seemed satisfied and signed off on the paperwork.

Our boy had passed!

We celebrated by taking the rest of the day off and going to the Spielplatz near our apartment.

{Skipping the rest of the school day}