Just more....

Not sure when it is age appropriate to start using math-addition flashcards, but with my five-year-old, we started this "math story" last night. I am actually surprised at this, since he seems to have a deeper preference for the creative, but he does have this intense curiosity to know things, and it clicked with me recently to start this "number story". The last month, he really was into counting his "stickers", counting numbers of strings on his instruments, counting the number of songs on his CD, and most recently he wants to know how deep the various pools and lakes are (so he can know if he can touch). He also told me a week ago that his favorite number is "12".

So all this numbers talk was my lead in last night with the flashcards (which I found when cleaning his room buried under unused car toys). I took out the first flash card, and said, "if the Saugerties beach starts out at 6 feet, and you go a little further and it's 2 feet deeper, then what is 6 + 2. The kid caught on right away. He even got 9 +7 !!! (He used his fingers and toes to count, but some of them you can see his rote memory at work for the easier ones like 6 + 6, etc.) I am so amazed at this, and I am thinking that something really was learned last night as he made connections with numbers in real life situations. Left Brained AND Right Brained. Maybe he'll INVENT an instrument!!! I think that this stage however is normal for children to start counting, etc. I know most children at this age are starting to read too. I have had some challenges with Alan with wanting to read books, or have me read to him. He would rather write them (which we did over the weekend to "Billy and Apple"). This child is exhausting!!!

All positive reports from the school. I didn't talk with the teacher today, but the book indicated that he invented two games that he played with two new friends. The UUCC family began their caretaking of Alan after school, and he LOVED IT, and THEY LOVED HIM!! When I picked him up, he was playing their piano, and wanted to stay longer. The family adored him!

Then we came home, and I admit to just making a simple dinner tonight. Bob was coming home late, so we did a quick dinner, and made it to the beach in time for a pre-bedtime swim. I am posting this pretty early on Tuesday!!! Have a busy day!!!

Oh, and a quick word about my sunflower garden. NOW ALL OF THE LEAVES are eaten. On Wednesday after work, I will purchase some already grown ones as a gift to myself and will plant them!!!

ONE MORE THING, my friend just posted this on facebook, and I like it. She posts daily quotes......

"The value of compassion cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone can criticize. It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands." Arthur H. Stainback

Caio Bella