Kaijie and Mabelyn

Their interpersonal relationship started two years ago. Kaijie had his eye on Mabelyn for quite a while, and his first move came in the form of insisting to sit next to her in class. This continued over the next few lessons. As their teacher I let it pass, except when Mabelyn kept complaining that Kaijie was disturbing her in class. Soon after, Kaijie started adopting whatever Mabelyn did. If she coloured the tent red, he would colour the tent red. If she chose the yellow sticker, he would choose the yellow sticker. If she asked to have a drink of water, he would ask to have a drink of water.

I observed the interpersonal relationship between my five-year old charges. As far as I could tell, it was one-sided, with Kaijie initiating conversation only receive negative feedback. Kaijie told me in private that he thought Mabelyn was pretty. Also, he would ask doe-eyed for her whenever Mabelyn did not come to class. I remember when Kaijie made use of haptics, trying to hold her hand when he thought nobody was looking! It was quite a sight, and I felt bad for him when Mabelyn made a face and asked him to get away.

Unfortunately, that was all the action I saw between these Kaijie and Mabelyn by the time the graduated from my class. I still check in on then sometimes, and I think Kaijie is still making his moves but is careful not to drive her away. Perhaps he is aware he has time on his side, since he sees her every Sunday, probably for the next few years.

This relationship formed because of proximity. However, there is little reciprocity being exhibited from Mabelyn, so there hasn’t been much of the relationship developing.

(I’ll try to get hold of pictures of them for you!)