The Arda kindergarten AU meme

[durinsdaughter]

~ Arda nursery, kindergarten and pre-school ~


[source]

1. You are a kid! Maybe you are a toddler in nursery or already in pre-school, or anywhere in between, but you are a kid who comes here more or less regularly, interacts with other kids and the teachers and the nurse and is dropped off in the morning and picked up sometime later during the day.
2. You are an adult! Maybe you are a teacher, or doing an internship, or you are a parent or older sibling picking up their kid, or the nurse or whatever an adult would do in such a place...
...of course you can change which one your muse is depending on whom they thread with.

And as for scenarios - you can of course do whatever you want, but a few ideas:
I. The first day in kindregarten. Being left behind by mommy or daddy, encountering new friends, so many things to discover...
II. Nap time! Maybe you just need to tell your friend this story before falling asleep. Or your teddy has gotten lost. And as for adults, oftentimes the parents will be present for the first few days of nursery to ease their child into things. Don't glare too many daggers at that other parents who is easing their child into the situation at the same time, you might make a child cry... Cuddling with their child is a much nicer option, yes?
III. Playground! Maybe you build a sandcastle together, or maybe you kick each others sandcastle down, who knows? Or maybe you are in the crafts room, or in the dolls corner, or you are having a class...
IV. Uh oh. Something isn't going too smoothly, and you have to mend things with another child or explain yourself to a teacher or maybe discuss a case with another staff member, or even call in the parents...
V. Field trip! Or maybe it is some holiday, or a birthday/conception day is happening in your group, or or or...

Comments

[bythewaves]

Hm, that is a good reason! Who are you making the card for?

[ Makalaure is already reaching up for the paper - Findekano is usually one of the better behaved kids and can usually be trusted not to cause trouble ]

[goldenplaits]

[usually

but also in this case. The little elf shakes his head emphatically.] It's a secret! [It shouldn't be all too hard to get that secret out of him if Makalaurë wants to do it, though. He's way too excited about his plan. And might need help eventually.]

[bythewaves]

A secret! Oh, now that is an impressive project indeed, Finda. [ Makalaure pulls down the paper and levels a thoughtful look at Findekano ]

Will you need anything else? Perhaps some paints?

[goldenplaits]

Yes!

[He picks through the paper, in the end choosing a dark blue, a dark orange and a yellow one before handing them back to his teacher.]

[bythewaves]

Those are lovely colours, Findekano. What colours do you want to draw with? [ leaning close he whispers ] Tis a big project you are doing it seems! Are you sure you cant tell me who its for?

[goldenplaits]

No!

[But, he realizes, there is a problem here.

...Peering at the older Noldo. Can he trust him to keep this secret?] I can tell you, but then you'll have to help me write the greeting.

[bythewaves]

[ Makalaure hides his smile, only nodding solemnly ] I promise not to tell anyone, Finda.

[ crouching down so Findekano can whisper he holds out a hand, finger extended ]

Pinky-promise.

[goldenplaits]

[He gives Makalaurë a look, thoughtfully, lower lip caught between his teeth for a moment, but then there is a nod and he very earnestly maneuvers his pinky finger around his teacher's. And then leans up to whisper:]

It's for Maitimo's conception day. Because he is really nice. [Not that the other teachers aren't mostly nice as well, but Maitimo is just especially nice. And cool.]

[bythewaves]

[ Ah, of course and Makalaure's eyes crinkle in understanding and amusement ]

This is true, and do you know, I had almost forgotten that it was so soon. Well, in that case we must ensure that he does not find out, and that this card is one most spectacular, hm?

[goldenplaits]

[nodnodnod! Very much agreed.]

You'll come back and help me with the writing, yes?

[He just needs to do the drawing and cutting first. And he wants to do that all alone because it has to be something that he made. Not that he would refuse help where he needed it, but he's sure that he can do this and it's important that it is him who does it.]

[bythewaves]

[ Makalaure nods in all solmenity, handing over the craft scissors and glue with all ceremonial gravitas, as if they were a blade to slay the king's enemies ]

I will stay close by then, so that you need not look too far when you are ready, nor call out and so attract attention.

[goldenplaits]

[There is a last nod, and a thank you said while he already turns away from his teacher, and then the boy will work with utmost concentration for the better part of an hour.

When he looks up in search for Makalaurë, there is a card in front of him, glued together and cut out as neatly as a young boy his age can manage. On the front, two figures, one tall and one small, obviously attempting to portray Maitimo and Findekáno, stand on blue ground. Inside, flowers and trees and all kinds of more ornamental things are gathered, leaving free a space large enough to fit in some words.]

[bythewaves]

[ As promised, Makalaure has stayed within eye and earshot, even for little elflings, and when he sees Findekano look up, he quietly excuses himself and comes over, smiling to see the card ]

Well now! This is a fine piece of work indeed. Tis almost a shame to write on it! Well done, Finda, I think me Maitimo will have never seen such a fine card.

[goldenplaits]

[The boy is beaming with excitement. If teacher likes it surely the teacher whom it is for will like it too.] I can write! [Well, he can copy what Makalaurë writes for him, anyway. More drawing than writing. But. POINT.]

[bythewaves]

[ Makalaure nods solemnly, settling down beside him ]

I am sure this will be your finest effort to date, no doubt, for such an important event! Now - [ he flourishes a handful of brightly coloured pens ] chose your weapon, milord, and tell me what you wish to say. We can practice on this blank paper here, first, until you are happy and can copy it to your card.

[goldenplaits]

[He shuffles over to sit a bit closer to Makalaurë and snatches a red pencil from him before declaring, as quietly as possible:]

Happy conception day, Maitimo!

[bythewaves]

A good, simple statement. So! [ Makalaure uses a simple blue pen, and writes the first letter ]

What comes next, Findekano?

[goldenplaits]

[He thinks for a moment and then puts down a K. He can write his own name, and knows that the A is somewhere towards the end, so...]

[bythewaves]

Not quite~ [ Makalaure shakes his head and tips it encouragingly ]

Think now, Finda. What sound do you want? [ he'll help if Findekano can't work it out, but the point is for them to learn ]

[goldenplaits]

A. And it's somewhere close.

[Trying a mirrored N?]

[bythewaves]

Somewhere close? Are you working off your name, Finda?

[ a small shake of his head and he reaches out to correct him ]

You have the right letter, but it is written this way, see?

[goldenplaits]

Yes! ...But I have no.... [he doesn't know what the letters are called yet, so he tries to express the sound only, a sharp puff of air against his tongue.] t.

[bythewaves]

Ahhh, I see the problem. Wait a moment.

[ Rising he moves back to his desk and returns with a small card with all the letters on them ]

These are all of our letters, you see? Can you find your name?

[goldenplaits]

But I want to write Maitimo's name, not my own.

[You're not going to distract him this easily!]

[bythewaves]

Patience! [ He laughs ] Your name first, and then Maitimo's, I promise.

Besides, you will want to sign your name, no?