Children Learn what they See

Learning to Read

My nine year old granddaughter is a great reader. She is in fourth grade and is reading at a ninth grade level. She loves books. I am convinced that the time her parents took while she was just a baby and toddler to read to her was one of their greatest investments to her future. She reads a variety of books and I know she will always do well in school because of her love of reading. There are so many ways you can help your child learn to love books and reading. The pop-up books were always a hit with my grandchildren. Connecting words with pictures was a great learning tool at a very early age. Books with colorful pictures that depict the story are great. Reading to your child also can associate reading with comfort to them. Snuggling together and reading a book to your child can be very comforting. Years ago, with my youngest son, I spent a lot of time with him on the alphabet and reading to him. I believe that as a result of this time well spent, he became a good reader and did well in school.

Building Memories

One thing I want to do for my grandchildren is to build memories that will carry them throughout their lives. I expect that we will be spending some time this summer at the park or at some swimming pools. They love the park and love swimming.

Potty Mouths

I just read the most interesting article on how toddler's , at one time or another, come up with the word "poop" and think it is hilarious.  This is definitely the case with my three year old grandson.  He just thinks that word is so funny and should be used all the time.  I think he realizes what it means and really gets my attention when he uses it.  This article suggests that when a toddler is using the word, that you should tell him or her that bathroom talk like "poop" can only be used in the bathroom.  So,  send him or her to the bathroom and let them say "poop" all they want to.  This will give them an outlet and eventually they will get bored with the topic, since their only audience will be the toilet.  Sounds wacky, but I think I will give that a try when the word "poop" comes up again while I am taking care of him.   HAAAA!!

Teeth

My grandson and I had a very interesting conversation this morning.  Out of the blue he said "granny, my teeth are going to fall out".  I told him that he would grow new teeth.  His response to that was "ok, then let's put some water in my mouth so they can grow".  He then proceeded to tell me that we could go to the store and buy him some new teeth when his teeth fall out.  I think he was thinking of grandpa and the fact that grandpa has false teeth and we can take them out and put them back in.  I wonder at the way his thinking is so indepth and so comprehensive.  He is going to be fun to watch grow up.  I just hope I can stay around to see that, but you never know.  With my husband's illness we live one day at a time.

Wonders of Childhood

Wonders of Childhood - what a statement.  I am reminded of this on a daily basis with my grandchildren.  I am completely amazed all the time at what they discover and what they learn to do.  Especially Connell who is three and just an amazing child.  He is fun to be around and he cannot be left alone for any length of time or the house suffers.  He is adventurous, loving, totally cute with his red hair and blue eyes. 

Kids, Buttons and Dials

What is so fascinating to babies and toddlers about buttons.  My three year old grandson is fascinated with buttons.  Probably because pushing them results in either noise, lights, or something else.  He is equally fascinated with dials.  He likes to push the buttons on my car dashboard.  He points out to me that some are buttons and others are "turning around things" (dials).  I have a chair in my garage next to the door into the house.  He has learned to push that chair up to the wall that has the garage door opener on it.  Thank goodness it makes noise when it opens, otherwise, I wouldn't know that he has opened the garage door to get into the front yard.  I have handle guards on all the doors, but they are useless now because he has learned to get them off and open any door.  Good thing my hearing hasn't gone yet.  This happens when I am caring for my husband and can't pay attention to him for a few minutes.  Even though it gets hard sometimes to watch every move my grandson makes, it is still a joy to watch his llittle mind figure out how to do things at such a young age.