Hi Christine, I still don't see why you were against early reading to the point where alphabet blocks were forbidden. I think that you are over-reacting to the way your parents apparently made you study hard. I don't do drills with this stuff, I am responding to his natural curiosity, and if he tires of it in 2 minutes, that's just fine. I think that young children are naturally curious about written language. After all they are learning to speak one. I think that it should just be part of playing just like the other things that they are learning.
Don't worry, Brandon gets plenty of sandbox time. He wants to explore everything new, and watches me intently when I am shaving and brushing my hair, and doing other bathroom stuff. He likes to watch me fix things and do gardening.
One of the tactile things that I think is terrific for children about 3 is to put about 10 things that they know well, like a toothbrush, cup, block, ball, sponge, etc. into a cardboard box that has a hole cut into the side, so that they can reach in, but can't see the object. You then ask them to bring them out 1 by 1 as you call them. They have to do it by feel only. You can really see the wheels turning as they feel and visualize the objects. Most kids love the game.
I don't do any of this stuff to gain anybody's approval. I do it to help the child use their capabilities to the fullest, without undue pressure.
What would you have done if Briana asked for alphabet blocks at 3 years old?
Del |
