A Boy of Few Words

When Zach was three years old, he spoke very well at home but wouldn't talk to anyone (children or teachers) at SYC.  He loved playing with solitary toys like these wooden marble runs for cars, but he was still just parallel playing and would refuse the overtures of other kids in favor of being alone.

Often, when I dropped him off, he'd stand alone somewhere removed from the action and just watch the other kids.  At one point he even began communicating with the teachers through hand gestures.  I would often spy through the little windows in the doors in the hopes of seeing my little boy playing with the others, but never did.

Then, one cold day in March, when I returned to pick him up, all three teachers came running over to me.  The dam had broken.  Out of nowhere, Zach had decided to speak, and he was telling stories to anyone who would listen.