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.