Friday, July 22, 2005
Junior Kaveman
Phu is one of our most difficult students at Peace Village. A little lad of about seven or eight, he is most famed lately for biting the other kids! In fact the last few weeks, we've had to watch him like a hawk, because he bit several students who retailiated by punching him.
Appropriately, I thought, Phu often wears a t shirt that reads "Junior Kaveman." He cannot recite like the other kids, takes little interest in coloring and seems to have difficulty seeing. Last week I tried giving him the harmonica, but all he did was bite it!
Today I tried again. The other kids were busy with their blocks and Phu was getting bored with a small toy he had brought to class. With some coaching from Ms. Canh and myself, he started playing! He squealed with delight as he discovered the music he could make from the harmonica. First he just was able to create short, feeble sounds, but soon he was playing like he belonged in Nashville, creating impromptu melodies and shouting "Song!" after each one.
A Vietnamese man from Switzerland came to our class with a videocamera. Phu gave a mini concert that the students applauded. Phu loved the camera and tried to get as much film time as he could! Next stop, Grand Old Opry!
Appropriately, I thought, Phu often wears a t shirt that reads "Junior Kaveman." He cannot recite like the other kids, takes little interest in coloring and seems to have difficulty seeing. Last week I tried giving him the harmonica, but all he did was bite it!
Today I tried again. The other kids were busy with their blocks and Phu was getting bored with a small toy he had brought to class. With some coaching from Ms. Canh and myself, he started playing! He squealed with delight as he discovered the music he could make from the harmonica. First he just was able to create short, feeble sounds, but soon he was playing like he belonged in Nashville, creating impromptu melodies and shouting "Song!" after each one.
A Vietnamese man from Switzerland came to our class with a videocamera. Phu gave a mini concert that the students applauded. Phu loved the camera and tried to get as much film time as he could! Next stop, Grand Old Opry!
