Published: September 17th 2021, 6:52:54 pm
Daily Free-Write September 16, 2021 "Alternative Education Pt. 7"
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7
"Well, uh... What are we supposed to do now?" I asked, looking around the empty classroom.
"Well, we can't do much here," said Trevor, swinging his legs and swaying his head from side to side. "Guess we just hang out for now."
"Are you... having fun?" I asked, incredulous.
"Bro. Are you serious? I'm not allowed to have fun in daycare?" he asked. "Isn't that like... half the draw of this place?"
"Well, yeah," I said, blushing slightly. "But... I mean... you're not supposed to admit it."
He rolled his eyes. "Who are you trying to impress, dude? Me? Amanda? The auditorium full of adult toddlers sitting around us?"
"Well, I..." I thought about it for a second, and the dim realization that he was right began to dawn like a sunrise. "I guess you're right..."
"Go on, try it!" he said. "Just try... ya know... swingin' your legs or something. And make a funny face!"
I did as he suggested, feeling a little ridiculous as I did it. Sure enough, it was kinda fun, if a little silly. I looked over at Amanda to see what she would say about it, but she just smiled back at me.
"Heck, when in Rome..." She began goofing off too and stuck her tongue out at us. Pretty soon we were all giggling.
"No more responsibilities!" I said.
"No more work!" said Trevor.
"Ahem." We all stopped as we heard someone clear their throat in our near vicinity. I nearly leapt out of my seat, but I was strapped in so that wasn't happening any time soon.
"Hello, little oneees!" came a sing-song voice. "I'm Ms. Frazzle. Your de-transitional kindergarten teacher. "It's been some time since we had any new additions to my class."
A woman in an elaborate teacher-theme printed dress walked into the center of our carpet circle. She had earrings that looked like triangular rulers, and flaming orange hair that was tied up in a loose bun. Her dress was covered in letters, numbers, rulers, and toy calculators.
"Miss... Fwazzle?" I asked, surprised to find my speech impeded. While I was busy goofing off, someone must have slipped a pacifier into my mouth without me even noticing. I spit it out. Amanda and Trevor giggled. "Hello Miss Frazzle."
She gave a soft, musical laugh. "Oh, we're going to have so much fun learning, I can already tell."
Amanda and I caught each others' gaze for just a second before Ms. Frazzle captivated our attention again.
"Well, this is your orientation so I guess I'd better get down to business." She pulled an oversized classroom chair up and sat in it. "So, let me just make sure I have your names correct. Amanda?" Amanda nodded. "Trevor?" Trevor nodded. "Zachary?" I nodded as well. "Are those the names you prefer, or do you have a different name you go by? Better yet, a name you went by when you were younger?"
"I've always been just Amanda," said Amanda. Trevor nodded as well.
"Yeah, same here. Well, I mean, with the name Trevor, not Amanda."
"Yes, yes, I understand," said Ms. Frazzle, putting her hand lightly up to her mouth and laughing her musical laugh. "And what about you, Z man?"
"Um... Zacky," I said in a small voice. I hadn't heard that name in ages.
"Zacky? Oh I love that name," said Ms. Frazzle, and I smiled a bit. "Well, this is the part where I answer some of your questions. For starters, I'll bet you're wondering why there are no other students here."
we nodded.
"It's because adjusting to little life is a big transition, so I want to make sure I answer all your questions and brief you on some of our dos and don'ts before you come into the classroom. Do you have any burning questions, little ones?"
Amy spoke up first. Of course she would. "Ms. Frazzle, what is de-transitional kindergarten?"
"A smart observation! I'm glad you asked, little Amanda. We sort our incoming AE Freshies into three levels - Baby, Preschool, and TK - what you're in right now. The first two are obvious. I'm sure you figured out how we sorted them already. TK is for those of you who have a bit of a tougher time transitioning down. But unlike regular transitional kindergarten which prepares you for kindergarten, this class is designed to prepare you for transition back to Preschool. So I call it De-transitional kindergarten. Get it?"
"Can I ask a question?" I said, wanting to raise my hand but unable to with the restraints I was in.
"Of course! Ask away."
"Is it possible to complete Alternative Education without going to preschool and becoming a baby?"
Ms. Frazzle smiled. "Who said you weren't one already? I'm teasing you, of course, little one. Oh, don't look so flustered. I think what you're really asking is - are you going to end up in diapers. Hmm?"
I blushed and nodded.
"Yes, that is the sticking point for many of you TKers. But have you considered that you don't have to be a baby to wear diapers, and you don't have to wear diapers to be a baby?"
"Huh?"
"To answer your question, little Zacky, yes. Once in a blue moon, someone makes it through the program without regressing further than TK. That's an option that wasn't previously possible with our therapy and reform programs, because full regression was part of the remedy. But the three of you aren't sick, and you don't need reform, do you?"
I shook my head right away.
"That's right. The three of you are here because you wanted to escape adult life, isn't that right?"
I reluctantly nodded along with the others. I was beginning to get a sinking feeling that she was right. Crap.
"So then why are you fighting yourselves? It's my hope to help you find that answer, and to show you how being little can be a lot of fun. So what do you say, everyone? Are we ready to learn?"