The news that my son, Leo, uses a jotter at school is not the news that I expected to move me this week. We have experienced surgery, recovery and clinic this week. It has been a lot. But it wasn’t any of the big stuff that made me watery-eyed. On a catch-up call with Leo’s teacher I found myself blinking. Leo at 8 years old has finally started to engage with classroom tasks and develop a love of learning. His developmental delay and stubborn streak have made this a bit of a challenge before. The teachers’ perseverance has worked. And the news that brought this all home to a 90s-educated, comprehension loving, stationery fiend….? He has a school jotter to keep his work in.

I wrote my first piece in months in response.

---

Leo does his school work in a jotter.

Pardon? A jotter? Leo has a jotter? It’s not the update I expected.

I was on a call with Leo’s teacher. The language we usually use – assistive, adapted, enhanced, sensory, specialist – precise and niche. Words that are modern, scientific, evidence-based. Words that are a marvel in this life, that provide equality of opportunity and create sparks of activity leading to potential. Words that are not tangible. Like apple. Or ball.

A jotter. A word that belonged in the dusty attic of my brain. A word that, once rediscovered, opened a door to spring classroom days. A crisp cardboard cover opened to a white, smooth page. A ruler placed neatly, a pencil margin drawn. The date precisely printed in the column and then cursive words forming a title. The first act in a new day of learning. Leo has a jotter. Leo is learning.

I knew that, of course. Leo shows me he is learning every single day. New words, new facts, new stories. Delivered in a multi-platform, rich, considered environment. An environment I can appreciate, but not really understand. This is the first page of learning I can comprehend, something I can also turn the page on. Leo has shown he can be an intentional learner this year. To find joy in a task well done. To make learning physical. How do I know? Leo has a jotter.