What are they up to now? ~ November Thread - Page 2

[meemee]

salmon.

dd 7 is giving up her favourite food of all times. coz she found out about how endangered salmon is. so now refuses to add to the industry.

i dragged her to a training today. she spent the whole 5 hours with her nose buried in tom sawyer finished reading it and then went on to james herriot. she stopped me from driving so she could finish reading : right now she is into mark twain and james herriot

[Tigerle]

After over a year of steadfastly refusing to sing himself ("because I cannot sing so well!") and several months of stopping me from singing too (no idea what that was about, but songs he found sad made him burst into tears, so maybe he was afraid of being overwhelmed) DS, just turned three, sings all the time now! Songs he learned in pre-school, songs he learned in music school, and though they are not exactly in tune, they are at least recognizable. I am occasionally allowed to sing along and when I do so, he can hold the tune along with me. I am so thrilled!

He also wants to do scales on the glockenspiel now and "accompanies" his songs in a good rhythm, though he's banging keys all over the place. He's shown some interest into picking out a tune but is not there yet - I am getting used to those developmental spurts by now, but need a lot of self-control to be holding back here. Maybe we can make music as a family for Christmas!
I am so happy that he might turn out musical after all - I'd been worried he'd fall on DH's side of the family tree. My MIL is trying hard and I'd never want to hurt her feelings but her singing is so out of tune it makes me grit my teeth and want to leave the room.

He also loves music school - it is a class for older children sans parents but I listened in for a couple minutes recently before leaving, and he was certainly not the most fidgety or unfocused of the class. The teacher was introducing the concept of many and few, having them count noses and eyes and windows (not quite sure where this is supposed to go musically but the approach appears more integrative than what I was taught at the time) and he was gleefully shouting out (correct) numbers with the rest of the four- and five year olds. The teacher tells me that though his drawings might not look as good as what the others are doing he is holding his own and he's happy to have him stay (he was enolled on a trial basis because he's so much younger).

[cyncyn]

DD (6) is loving her new school, where there is an hour of free reading every day and she can read any books she wants, not just the little kid books. She is reading super fast, a 100 page book in about an hour. We go to the library all.the.time! Her school is great for math too, and she is learning to multiply and her favorite fraction is 2/3.

Paleontology is still a favorite hobby, with fossils and dinosaurs discussed daily. She is also learning and questioning more about history. Her question of the day for her school class was "Why did West Virginia break from Virginia during the Civil War?" At her last school that would have been brushed off, but here, they found a teacher who was from Virginia to give a detailed explanation to the whole class.

She loves reading the Sunday comics and drawing her own multi panel comics as well. Also drawing detailed machines that make or do interesting things.

This year has been great, the freedom she has at school makes for a lot less frustration and a happy tired kid at bedtime.

[Qbear'smama]

DD's interest in writing is continuing, she has expanded beyond her name and can write Mom, love, the dog's name (you know, the important things in her life!) and has us dictate words to her to write. We have to spell them out, but she can write most letters and asked me to spell out "feel better" so she could send a note to her sick teacher.

This morning DD was discussing with grandma how not getting enough sleep makes us cranky in the morning (a big issue with DD, who is not a morning person) and she explained how going to bed late makes her feel "exhausted" in the morning.

DD is fascinated with growing and growing up and likes to talk about the things she will do when she grows up (drive me to work, for example). The other day she explained to me out of the blue that she has to grow up, that she can't stay little forever, but that it's ok because I can have another baby. I got kind of teary over that one.

[sapientia]

DD(13) is wrapped up in designing her own graphic novel/comic and doing some basic homeschool stuff-but overall art has really got her attention right now.

The boys are into survivalism and we are all on a genealogical journey-tracing the ways our family came into the states from all over the world. I'm the aarmchair genealogist of the family so I have far too much info just to keep to myself. It's fun.

[franklinmarxmom]

Thanks again to this forum for giving me a little bragging space. Not that it's even wildly extraordinary--but something I can't share IRL without getting "the look."

Took DS to the ped today because he's had a fever for 5 days, and this morning he stuck a Cheerio up his nose (yeah, that's not the bragging part). When the doc came in, DS just started chatting away with him, asking questions and talking about how he was sick and what a bad idea it was to put the Cheerio in his nose. Just normal interaction for my talkative DS. But I could see the doc starting to look at him in a bit of wonder, and then he began to really engage DS out of curiosity to hear him keep talking. He finally asked, "How old are you?" DS: "2" Doc, flipping through chart to see, "But you have a birthday coming up?" DS: "Yes, I'll be 3 in January." Doc: "Wow! You talk like, well, you talk like you're already well past three..."

Nothing stellar, but it made me feel a bit less crazy to think that DS is just different than most 2.75 y/os. If the ped notices, I feel some strange source of validation from authority. And I really like our ped. He's an older guy, very laid back (said the cheerio would probably go away on its own, but suggested treating the ear infection), and very responsive to the kids. As he interacted with DS, he changed his language, his approach and his style to match the appropriate language/maturity he saw in DS--not just what he expected in my 2 y/o. Treated my child (and I) with respect.

I don't make much of most people's comments about DS & his verbal abilities phase me, but this one was nice.

[eilonwy]

That's so funny, I put something in my ear when I was about that age and I remember having a very similar conversation with the doctor in the ER about how I really hadn't thought that through very well...

[muliebrity22]

Originally Posted by Qbear'smama

DD is fascinated with growing and growing up and likes to talk about the things she will do when she grows up (drive me to work, for example). The other day she explained to me out of the blue that she has to grow up, that she can't stay little forever, but that it's ok because I can have another baby. I got kind of teary over that one.

Oh, this makes me a little sad, too. A few months ago (right around 3 1/2), we had constant conversations about my DS's view that he would get older and DH and I would get younger and younger until we were babies that he would take care of. I didn't really want to disabuse him of his notion because I thought it was so sweet (but, of course, I did).

[loraxc]

A few months ago (right around 3 1/2), we had constant conversations about my DS's view that he would get older and DH and I would get younger and younger until we were babies that he would take care of. I didn't really want to disabuse him of his notion because I thought it was so sweet (but, of course, I did).

This must be a fairly common idea that kids get, because my DD used to think this, too, and when I told my mom about it, she said that I had said the same thing to her as a small child! Of course, in a way, there's something to it. I hope my children won't ever actually change my diapers...but you know what I mean.

[Tjej]

Man, should I be correcting the "when I get bigger and you get smaller" thing? I just figured it was a fun fantasy for my DD. She talks about moving away with her brother. I think she figures they will be married sometimes, and that she will be his mom other times. I just assume that by the time she is old enough for it to matter, she will well understand that I am not Benjamin Button.

Tjej

[justthinkn]

It's happened a couple of times now, so I'm starting to think it may be true - DD *seems* to be starting to sight read. The first time I was writing a note, including the word "elephant," with DD right beside me doing her thing, and all the sudden she started babbling happily about "elephant, elephant." I looked - nothing in the environment that would prompt that but my note. Had I said it out loud while writing? I don't think so... But when I wrote it and asked her if she knew what it was a few hours later, she said her name (Like many kids, I think, she's recognized her own name for a while, and it's only 3 letters anyway.) Then yesterday DH heard her say "side" while looking at a sign that said "side." Again, when he asked her directly what it said, she said her name!

I don't want to "quiz" her, so I'm not going to ask anymore when I think I hear it, but I'm just so curious! Do you think when kids start sight reading this young it may be a very intuitive process, almost subconscious, so that when you ask them head-on they can't respond?

[Qbear'smama]

Originally Posted by Tjej

Man, should I be correcting the "when I get bigger and you get smaller" thing? I just figured it was a fun fantasy for my DD. She talks about moving away with her brother. I think she figures they will be married sometimes, and that she will be his mom other times. I just assume that by the time she is old enough for it to matter, she will well understand that I am not Benjamin Button.

Tjej

I don't correct it, she often talks about having taken care of me when she was big and i was little, I think it's sweet. She also discusses wanting to marry me and/or her father. I figure she'll figure it out eventually, but I take it as expressions of love and caring. Maybe I should correct her, but I don't. (Loraxc, I hope the same thing!)

[eepster]

Originally Posted by justthinkn

It's happened a couple of times now, so I'm starting to think it may be true - DD *seems* to be starting to sight read. The first time I was writing a note, including the word "elephant," with DD right beside me doing her thing, and all the sudden she started babbling happily about "elephant, elephant." I looked - nothing in the environment that would prompt that but my note. Had I said it out loud while writing? I don't think so... But when I wrote it and asked her if she knew what it was a few hours later, she said her name (Like many kids, I think, she's recognized her own name for a while, and it's only 3 letters anyway.) Then yesterday DH heard her say "side" while looking at a sign that said "side." Again, when he asked her directly what it said, she said her name!

I don't want to "quiz" her, so I'm not going to ask anymore when I think I hear it, but I'm just so curious! Do you think when kids start sight reading this young it may be a very intuitive process, almost subconscious, so that when you ask them head-on they can't respond?

Do you often point out her name to her and say "do you know what that says?" The response "my name" may be more about her feeling it is the correct answer to that question than her believing that "elephant" or "side" spell her name.

DS had me guessing for ages about whether or not he had started reading. They are just so quirky about stuff at that age. Often at that age, when DS would play computer games, he would systematically choose every wrong answer available; laugh maniacally when it buzzed or went "no try again" or some such (he especially delighted in one that went "whoops") ; then finally come to the correct answer last get it out of the way; so he could move on to systematically answering the next problem incorrectly.

[justthinkn]

She went through a phase of loving for me to write notes to her, and being able to pick out the "Dear D**" portion at the top... so then for a while any words starting with D spelled her name, and she loved finding them... then she figured out exactly which was her name, and loved finding it... So yeah, that's probably the only word we've made a game of like that, so she would probably think of it as the "right" answer. Maybe we should just respond the same way you do when a child is learning to talk - just positively affirm what's she just read/said?

[BabyGow]

So DS is breezing through the first grade english work and math work right now. He wanted to continue learning the countries of Africa, so I am assuming we can't go back to the U.S. until he has all of the countries down
Anyway, his hand has remarkably caught up quickly to his brain which I am thankful for...though I am kid of sad that he is just not interested in art or painting. This has always been a passion of mine, but I know that he is just his very own person and I love that! We even made a volcano last week (this was requested since he found a love of lava ) and he was not interested in painting it well, just wanted to make it explode. Though he may be gifted, he is still a 4 year old boy
We are going to NZ next month for a month long vacation and he is super excited about it (of course we are too!) I plan on taking some school stuff for him, but mainly it will be a learning experience in itself!
DS keeps bringng up about going to kindergarten next year and I keep trying to explain to him that we have not made plans for that yet. (We are mlitary and may be moving before next school year, plus we will have to get him tested for that school district or find a Montessori school closer to our home where he can go to and can teach!) He is only partially acceptant of my explantations and I can't say that I blame him. We are finding DS getting frustrated at other kids when he can't understand them too..is that common? His vocabulary is wonderful and he uses it well...other four olds that he cannot understand, he gets so frustrated with. We have had many talks that not everyone is the same, etc. The normal talks you would have, but I feel that there is no progress yet.
We want to do some gymnastics time when we get back from NZ in January and he said he wants to play the violin??? Where on earth do I get one and I cannot find anyone in the area that teaches it??
That is all that is new for now

[eepster]

Originally Posted by justthinkn

She went through a phase of loving for me to write notes to her, and being able to pick out the "Dear D**" portion at the top... so then for a while any words starting with D spelled her name, and she loved finding them... then she figured out exactly which was her name, and loved finding it... So yeah, that's probably the only word we've made a game of like that, so she would probably think of it as the "right" answer. Maybe we should just respond the same way you do when a child is learning to talk - just positively affirm what's she just read/said?

That's the approach I took with DS, after I got over the initial shock. I figured that reinforcing a correct guess was harmless whether he was actually beginning to read or not.

[justthinkn]

So nice to hear from others a bit further along!

I know what you mean, too, about the "humor" they can find in picking the wrong answers! DD does it a lot with puzzle pieces, huge grins on her face as she puts them together wrong The she crows "silly turkey!" which is our standard "oops" line, and starts over... Love it!

[Tigerle]

Maybe we should just respond the same way you do when a child is learning to talk - just positively affirm what's she just read/said?

That's the approach I took with DS, after I got over the initial shock. I figured that reinforcing a correct guess was harmless whether he was actually beginning to read or not.

I agree - I'd just affirm "I just put elephant" or mention "that sign says side", without making the big deal of it that I'm sure you'd love to.

Yay for watching kids learn to read - I am already super excited (thinking it'll be a while for us, but who knows?).

Just curious, would you let us know how elephants fit into your daily lives so you'd write a casual note about one?

[franklinmarxmom]

Originally Posted by justthinkn

It's happened a couple of times now, so I'm starting to think it may be true - DD *seems* to be starting to sight read. The first time I was writing a note, including the word "elephant," with DD right beside me doing her thing, and all the sudden she started babbling happily about "elephant, elephant." I looked - nothing in the environment that would prompt that but my note. Had I said it out loud while writing? I don't think so... But when I wrote it and asked her if she knew what it was a few hours later, she said her name (Like many kids, I think, she's recognized her own name for a while, and it's only 3 letters anyway.) Then yesterday DH heard her say "side" while looking at a sign that said "side." Again, when he asked her directly what it said, she said her name!

I don't want to "quiz" her, so I'm not going to ask anymore when I think I hear it, but I'm just so curious! Do you think when kids start sight reading this young it may be a very intuitive process, almost subconscious, so that when you ask them head-on they can't respond?

This has happened to us recently too. DS has >10 sight words (his name, stop, exit, store names), and he is always pointing at words and saying, "That says..." It's usually based on context and what he thinks it says. He gets very creative, and it usually is twice as long as what's written. Funny stuff.

But then, sometimes, he'll point at something with no context and get it right. It's very strange. I keep trying to figure out context clues that he might pick up on. Or where he might have seen that word.

But I have come to a similar theory--that it's somehow subconscious or intuitive. He knows, but he doesn't know how he knows and can't repeat it. He just "feels" it.

DH has this power on standardized tests, especially in math. He's good at math in general, but it's not his greatest strength as a giftie. Still, he just *looks* at a problem, and the choices, and he'll tell you the correct answer. He'll say, "I'm not sure why, but that just looks right." And it is. It works on complex basic calculations and on sophisticated algebra--without actually taking time to solve the problem. It's intuitive for him. Which means his conscious mind doesn't know, but his subconscious does. Somewhere in the recesses of his mind, he just knows.

A few months ago, I let DS try the "Zac the Rat" game at Starfall, where you choose the consonant to match the picture for various "at" words. DS got them all right, about 10 in a row, as I stared in amazement. Now when we play, if he thinks too hard about it, or if I ask him, he guesses wrong, and not for humor (although we love those games too). But if he just zones out and plays easily, he gets them right. . It's intuitive.

DH and I are both super-intuitive in lots of ways, so I sort of "get" this--but it's still both amazing and unbelievable. Glad to hear others might share the experience.

[kgianforti]

Baby dd is one year old today!!

She still loves following her big sister all over and for about a month or so, she has really been into mimicking. You turn your head to the side, she does. You point, she does. You say "mommy", she does. You screech, she does!

She also is using her shape sorter with some help. She can push the shapes through the holes except the start is still challenging.

She is also a lot more driven than older dd. She's not walking yet but she will try and try and try, over and over and over again.

She's getting to be a big girl!!