Naomi spells it out

“I’m going to write my name,” she announced. Sitting on the floor with one foot tucked under her and the other stretched out, she laid the sheet of scrap paper on top of an old catalogue and flattened it with both hands. Very determined, very much in charge of her materials.

She grasped the green pencil and drew a wobbly N that stretched from top to bottom of the paper. “Look Grannie, a Nuh. And the next letter’s an A-H. And a O-H. And a Muh for Mummy and an I-H,” carefully adding the dot to its extremity. Then tilting her head, she remarked judiciously, “But I have to draw it smaller. Cos, It’s Too Big,” nodding emphasis on each word of her reason.

“Hold the pencil nearer the tip,” I suggested, and she adjusted her grip and set to again.

Another sheet of A4 and another five letters, still wobbly but a little smaller. I was impressed by her tenacity, but knowing she’d achieved writing her name a few days ago I thought I’d push for a bit more. We’re a mean lot, we teachers. “”Shall we draw the word MUMMY?”

“That starts with a Muh,” she said, choosing a blue pencil with which to draw it. “But I don’t know what comes next.”

I found a book with the word “Country” on its cover and pointed out the U. She studied it for a minute, then said, “But I don’t know how to draw that. Will you draw Mummy first and I can copy it?”

I drew the letters firmly and offered her the paper. My daughter came in and I said, “Naomi’s going to write Mummy for you.”

“Are you?” she said. “Oh wow.”

“We’re practising doing a U-H,” I said.

Lots of pointing and drawing U shapes in the air. “Now you write Mummy.”

Naomi shook her head, her blue eyes very solemn.

“No? Why not?”

“Cos Grannie’s already dunned it.”

Damn. Busted by a three year old.