I Believe Early Learning is Important

I can't remember where I heard it but I've heard it a lot that between the ages of 0-5 years old children's minds are rapidly developing and thrive on stimulation and that it's the best time to get a jump start on learning. I would definitely have to say I agree with that. I've been working with Ewan for several years now trying to make sure nothing ever slows him down in life. He's 5 years old now so it may seem like that time of rapid development is over for him but that doesn't stop him from continuing to learn at a faster pace then the other kids at his school. I don't think that is because he's really smarter then them or anything. I think the kids at his school are just at a hump that he's already gotten over and for him it's all down hill till the next hump. It also doesn't hurt that as long as he can remember he's been learning so he doesn't fight it. When I was growing up I never wanted to learn because it was hard for me but Ewan has been learning all his life. We never pushed him and we never yelled at him if he didn't get it right away. We were patient with him and let him learn at his own pace. Even when he was 4 years old and still not potty trained we just waited for it to click for him. So I'm definitely going to keep doing what I've been doing with him but it's time for the torch to be passed down to his younger brother Leon. To me it's super important to get a jump start on Leon's education just like I have with Ewan. I hope I can look back on this post in 4 years and say, I still belive that getting a jump start on learning is the way to go because Leon is now in kindergarden and has a 3rd grade reading level too.

Shapes and Pegs

 Today when I was playing with my Leon, he finally figured out how to put the shapes in the correct hole and to hammer the pegs with the hammer. Now I know that doesn't seem like a hard thing but we have had these toys for a long time and it's just never clicked to him, till today. What happened is that he was playing with his toys the way he normally does. Then I came over and showed him (once again) how to put the shapes in the correct hole. So then he tried it and got one in. OK no big deal sometimes he gets one. Then he tried with another shape in the same hole. Yep that's what he normally does but then I turned the toy to the right hole and it went right in. I think that's when it clicked because he finally started sticking the shapes in different holes till they went in. I think with the peg thing he just likes to take the easy way because he kept switching between hammer and pushing them in with his fingers. I just love watching his mind grow. It was so much fun to see him take the shapes and instead of hand it to me when he couldn't get it to fit he tried another hole. The hammer and peg on the other hand was much more fun to watch when he was cheating hehehehe, but hey working with tools like that just means he's one step closer to using silverware or a pencil.

My Baby Can Read

Yesterday I took my Ewan to family reading and I just need to take a minute to say how proud of him I am. At his school they have the Accelerated Reading Program (A.K.A. the AR Program). If your not familiar with it, (which I'm sure you are, but I'll say it anyway) it's a program where the kids read a book then take short little tests on the book using a computer to make sure that they are reading and they are understanding what they read. They get points for every test they pass and when they get enough points they can get a prize out of the treasure box. Then to top it off his school has family reading every Tuesday night so he can get some extra points in. So last night we went to family reading and at his school they sort the book by reading level and he picked up a 3grade reading level book. I was curious to see if he could read it and so I allowed it and, He Read It! He also took a test on it and he got all the questions right. I really don't think he would be able to read so well right now if it wasn't for the "Your Baby Can Read!" program.When he was 2 I started him on it but he's so very stubborn and I only got him to do it for 3-4 months but I definitely think it helped because in 3-4 months he could read some words. Only the ones on the videos of course but it opened a door and sometimes that's all you need.

Corn Maze

One of the main ways I help my kids learn is I try to give a taste of every type of experience I can. So we went to the corn maze and learned about maps. Yes I know it's probably really weird for me to expect my 5 year old to learn anything about maps but I still try. What I really loved about this is that Ewan (my 5 year old) is NOT a leader it was very hard for him to take charge and lead the pack. He kept trying to get me to tell him which way to go. So I really love that it taught him how to be a leader. Anyway what we did is we got a map of the maze then I had him draw out the correct path. Then we went into the maze and tried to follow what he drew. Of course we took a wrong turn or two but hey what fun is a corn maze if you go the correct way straight through. After we were done we celebrated with a well deserved cup of hot chocolate in front of a warm fire.