Learning Numbers

Our daughter, Miss Sassafras or Monkey, (just can not decide which nickname I want to use for the blog) lived in Guatemala until right before her 4th birthday. Due to her beginnings in poverty and orphanage living, she just doesn't grasp concept that seem so much easier to your "typical" preschooler. When she came home at 4, she didn't even know any colors in Spanish, so it was all new to her. She picked up English amazingly quick, but things like colors, letter, numbers, etc. are very abstract to her. (though she has learned most of her colors now)

My friend who adopted from China has found a similar issue with colors not making sense to her son. It is different than when a child is learning them when they are a toddler and early preschooler. I have thought a lot about it and think that part of the issue is just the way we often naturally talk about the world around us. As we try to figure out when young toddler is saying we might ask "Do you want the blue one?" or "I love those pink shoes!" etc. With no exposure to it whatsoever, no foundation at all, it doesn't click very easily. Pink can look very different if it is a pink pig, or crayon or paint color.

Numbers and letter recognition are similar issue for Miss Sassafras. Right now, we are trying to learn some letters (She may know 2 or 3) and numbers.

For Numbers- she has counting down (majority of the time) up to 11, and we are working on understanding that numbers mean something and recognition. This is one of the ways I came up with and I had the stuff laying around, which is my favorite way of doing things- cheap!

Made with an old vinyl placement, using the back of it, and electrical tape to give the numbers and counting squares texture. Miss S. can trace the numbers with her finger to help give her brain another way of making the connection or even lay paper on top and do a crayon rubbing. She can count the counting squares with her finger or they are a perfect size for Miss S. to place beans or legos to help with counting.

New homeschool blog

Learning is just in my bones... I love finding new information out, especially new ways to help my children learn. I have spent the last 15 years in various roles, all about learning...as a family child care provider (licensed child care in home), preschool teacher, trainer/ consultant for early childhood programs, director of a part-day preschool program and homeschooling mom. The thing that has remained consistent is that I thrive on researching new ideas. Nothing more exciting than that moment when a person, at ANY age, has that "aha" moment when it clicks.

I starting homeschooling our son when he was just beginning 5th grade. Our daughter came home from Guatemala in April 2008. She presently attends preschool and we will begin full-time homeschooling her in the fall, at least that is the present plan, my husband and I are "still discussing" :-). Another post to write... sometimes he still has hard time with our children not having the "typical experience".

So, sit back, join me in a cup of coffee. I may only have my own family read this. But hey, if you are not related to me and you read this, feel free to comment and let me know! :-)