It seems like Little Man's mind is a flint, and everything around him is steel. Every time he rubs shoulders with the marvels of the every-day, there are Sparks. Showers of sparks, igniting his curiosity and his growing font of knowledge.
And there are so many wonders. Like birds' nests, hiding in the shrubbery.
Marvels of ingenuity and resourcefulness, carefully crafted by our little feathered friends.
Wonders like our tiny back deck "garden" -- a little collection of herbs and a solitary pepper plant. Oh, how he loves to tend those plants with his minute watering can! I can't wait until the peppers start to come, and we can watch them ripen. We've kept things to a minimum knowing that we'll only be here a brief time, but I'm hoping we can start a larger garden on Guam!
Wonders like the written word. He's been ready for a while (we probably could have started in Florida), but I knew it would be best to wait until we were settled here and had a chance at consistency. I'm using Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons -- the very same book that my mother used to teach me years ago!
If you've never taught a child to read, I highly recommend you find a child and get started! It's such a remarkable, indescribable feeling. Little Man has been eating it up, and surprising me with how neatly he forms most of his letters. We're 1/3 of the way through, and we both delight in our daily lesson -- especially the little stories at the end of each lesson. The dry-erase board, by the way, is from Dollar Tree. So basically, teaching my son one of life's most important skills cost about $15.
Seeing Little Man's mind ablaze with wonder excites me as we ease into more formal education -- I know there will be challenges along the way, but it is such a privilege to share the wonders of God's creation with my children.
Hey, that's the book my mom has used to teach all of us to read (it's now being used with the eighth child; holy cow). I always loved those stories at the end of each lesson. I fully intend to use it when/if I ever have children.
ReplyDeleteLaura,
DeleteI've met so many people that used this book (or were taught with it), and have heard nothing but praise for it! I'm so grateful that there's such a good -- and inexpensive -- resource out there.
Thank you for stopping by! :-)
Blessings,
Shannon
Such an exciting season for you and your son! I fondly remember learning to read with my mother. : )
ReplyDeleteSarah,
DeleteIt was a bit terrifying before we started (reading the introduction was a bit daunting, and quite frankly I put it off longer than necessary!), but one or two lessons in it felt *right*. Sadly, I don't have many memories of learning with my mom because I was quite young, but I do love reading, so I suppose it worked! :-)
Blessings,
Shannon
How I treasure my own little "note" of quite expertly formed letters from Little Man! Watching him and my other two darlings grow, even from afar, affords me such joy. Love you all, and miss you terribly! <3
ReplyDeleteWe miss and love you, too! :-( I'm determined to find a way to see you again before we leave for Guam!
ReplyDeleteLittle Man does certainly delight in sending little "notes" -- he sent one to one of his aunts that pictured her husband sporting 4 arms and pointing a gun (sticker) at an airplane (sticker). And he's really not the terrorist type! ;-)
Blessings,
Shannon