A uniquely maternal feeling

Poppy had her preschool assessment today.  Each of the girls has done one in advance of starting school.  Poppy was the first one who wouldn't go without her mama.  At first I was frustrated by her neediness but then I was flattered (is that wrong?)  Either way I got to see the administration of the Dial 3.  Miss Eyvonne is so sweet and motivating you feel like the mother of a prodigy even as your three year old answers "TWO!" when asked her first name.   Overall she did really well.  There was one activity where Miss Eyvonne had a variety of circles, squares and triangles in different colors and sizes.  She asked Poppy to pay attention telling her that she would need to do exactly the same thing when it was her turn.  Miss Eyvonne made three piles, one for all of the circles, another for all of the squares and the last for all the triangles.  I thought ugh.  But then, like she had been sorting and stacking her whole life, Poppy did the whole thing correctly.  (In my mind she might as well have cured cancer...I actually got teary-eyed.)  My pride quickly disolved to a feeling I can only describe as maternal...never, before having children, had I felt this way.  I suspect it's a feeling I will forever know.  When asked to cut with scissors she tried and tried and then she put her head down in shame and said  "I can't do it."  My heart broke.  I was sad for her, I felt like I had failed her, I was mad at Miss Eyvonne for not moving on before her shame set in, I was afraid she might never learn to cut, and on and on and on.  I know why they don't usually like parents to be present for the Dial 3.