Battle of the Gavins

Today was Boo's first day of preschool in the 2's class of Preschool Family, a parent participation preschool. He's the oldest child in the class, missing the cut off into the 3's class by 10 days or so. He's not the biggest, though. Anyway, Boo really enjoys his play based school, and looks forward to going to preschool. It's obvious this year that he's one of the older boys, as his language skills and dexterity are better than the younger people in the 2's class.

There's this child, also named Gavin, who is in Boo's class this year. At first, when I learned that fact, I kind of hoped they'd be friends, but it was quickly apparent that it wasn't going to happen. Gavin #2 is a bully of a child; the type that pushes and shoves when he doesn't get his way. It wasn't long before Gavin #2 decided he wanted a ping pong ball that my Gavin was holding. Gavin #2 tried snatching the ball from Boo. Boo said "no!" Gavin #2 tried again. Boo again held his ground. Then, Gavin #2 shoved my poor Boo in the chest. At this point, Boo was so mad that he started crying. He stood up, got right in Gavin #2's face and said "NOOO!!!!" Nonplussed, Gavin #2 shoved Gavin even harder so that Gavin landed on his butt. Gavin was so mad at this point that he started shaking. He again got up right into Gavin #2's face and screamed "NOOOO!!!!!" as loud as he could. Then, of course, he ran into my arms.

The teacher was sort of an avoidant type, and just kept telling Gavin #2 that my Gavin was sad (without giving any reasons why he was sad or making Gavin #2 get Boo a tissue). Later during circle time, another mom confided in me that Gavin #2 had been shoving the other children all day, and that it was good that Gavin actually had the confidence to stand up for himself. Poor Boo!