I know my letters

Wow! It was my expression when I discovered in the evening of April 15 my son was learning the alphabet capital letters from his teacher and not from me. In that week, his teacher was working on the alphabet letters with different activities. I thought it will be good to take out our foam alphabet letter to play in the bathtub and reinforce what his teacher was doing during the week. When we started to put the letter in alphabet order after the "letter A" I gave Tommy the "letter B" and he began to sing "beeh, beeh, beeh" with he tune of the alphabet song. I was surprised because I have never taught him the alphabet capital letters or their names –I have been doing the letter short sounds with animal lowercase letters from the Zoophonic program. I took the letters and I asked him: Which one is the letter A, the letter B, the letter C...? Until the letter G because he didn't want to continue. He chose the right letter every time I asked him. 

On April 26th, I discovered Tommy could recognized more capital letters of the alphabet during bath time, too. So I took the next 7 letters and he recognized all of them. He got a little confused with the H letter, but he named J, K and L after me. By that Time, my boy recognized 14 capital letters name that he learned in the classroom.


Early in the morning of May 8th, after I did Tommy's Asthma treatment around 5:45 am, I thought it was a good time to play with Sesame Street Alphabet Cards because we both were fresh and we couldn't sleep anymore. For my surprise, Tommy recognized the whole alphabet. Before I discovered he recognized the alphabet, I was thinking it will be confusing to teach him the alphabet letter names because I have been teaching the letter sounds first, but in lowercase. Everything worked out better than I could expect. We are extremely proud of our little man who keeps exceeding our expectations regardless his genetic disorder. He is learning wherever he goes, even his communication barrier don't allow us to know how much he knows.


The book that Tommy's teacher uses to teach the alphabet is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. She told me this book has been a hit in her class. So I am reading this book to Tommy once an while to reinforce the alphabet letters and I point to the letters while I read. I am also singing the ABCs songs.

I am glad God gave me the skills of 'observation' because I always discover when Tommy is accomplishing a milestone or has learned something new regardless his communications barrier. I always knew the path to raise my child would be different, but not less rewarding. 

Enjoy the video of Tommy recognizing the alphabet letters

This video is dedicated to Miss M., Tommy's teacher, 

for her dedication and passion for teaching a world of knowledges to her students. 

My first workbooks

“The most important thing in the world is to open up new worlds for our children to explore.”

Toru Kumon

Searching for books that support Tommy’s learning skills, I found the Kumon workbooks. I bought 2 workbooks from the First Steps series: Let’s Color and Let’s Cut. These books are designed for young children, aged 2 and up, to make them comfortable with the tools they will use at school. These books have been a great help to introduce drawing, coloring and cutting with scissors to Tommy. They are a great source of stimulation for language development and fine motor skills. When I work with Tommy, I keep the activity short by doing one sheet per day as often as possible. I date the sheets every-time we do a project because it helps me to realize if we need to work more often with the kumon workbooks.  

What is Kumon?

"Toru Kumon created the Kumon Method in the early 1950s to teach his son at home. Kumon [koo-mon] Publishing North America (KPNA) was founded in 2004 but has educational roots reaching back fifty years. KPNA is the English-language subsidiary of Kumon Publishing Co., Ltd., one of the best-selling producers of children’s educational books in Japan. Our parent company, Kumon, is also parent to Kumon Math & Reading Centers, the world’s largest supplemental learning provider..." ~www.kumonbooks.com

Kumon Workbooks

"Kumon workbooks and learning aids introduce basic learning skills to children aged 2 and up. Subjects covered include early learning and fine motor control skills; verbal skills; and math skills.

The Kumon method is what makes our workbooks so unique and effective. This Method is a proven learning system developed to help each child reach his or her full potential. Concepts are introduced in a step-by-step manner that allows the child to master each in turn without getting frustrated. Before long, children gain confidence in their abilities and are motivated to learn on their own." ~www.kumonbooks.com

Kumon Learning program

Kumon offers an after-school math and reading program designed for kids of all abilites, wich means this is an individualized program that works for advanced kids who need to be challenged or kids who need help catching up. The program is design to start with easy steps, so the child builds confidence by learning basic concepts before moving on. The child will advance in the program in their own pace step-by-step until the child masters each concept with a perfect score on the worksheets, then, the child will continue with the next level. To get a perfect score is important to practice every day for short period of time, practice makes perfection. 

Tommy's Drawing Projects

Tommy's Cutting Projects

The Kumon workbooks have been a great source to introduce Tommy to tools he will constantly use at preschool. Tommy keeps improving on his drawing and cutting skills. He tries to imitate the illustration from the Kumon books with my encouragement. Before every drawing session, I search for videos or graphic sources that represent the word we will be drawing. On the other hand, Tommy can independently squeeze the scissors to snip and cut straight lines, but he needs more practice on holding the paper and grasping the scissors by himself. His teacher tried for the first to help Tommy cutting with scissors at the class and this what she wrote in our journal:

March 25th, 20011

Thanks for the scissors. He was very independent when squeezing. I help hold the paper steady. He applied the glue with the stick himself. He read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom twice. He initiated a fun game of peekaboo from behind me! Miss M.

Tommy is having a good start at preschool and we will continue supporting his teachers and him to make a smoothly transition into the preschool settings. 

We may look into enrolling Tommy in the after school Kumon program, there are several centers around our area. But before, we would like to hear about your experience with the Kumon after school program if you have enrolled your child in this program.

Developing memory -Recognizing neutral colors

I started to introduce colors to Tommy since he was a baby because of my nature as a graphic designer. He currently recognized de neutral colors: black, white and gray. He also recognizes that Panda bear and zebra are two color animals, black and white. He is developmentally doing many things, even he is not able to verbally express himself, yet. But the fact, he understand what I teach him give me hope. One day he will fluently speak both languages, English and Spanish. Meanwhile, I keep helping him to reach his full potential.

Nesting by size

Stacking by size

Wordless Wednesday!

Matching by shape

Shapes recognition and matching will foster a young child's mind to further develop in language, cognitive, social and fine motor skills. It is believed that shapes recognition and matching "play an important role in math performance" (Mazzocco et. al, 2006 pg. 89). Matching is an important skill for young children to develop because it is an essential pre-reading skill.

My son began to match simple jumbo peg puzzles at an appropriate age and matching has become one of his best skills. Our DT brought the Voila Shapes & Shadows Wooden Recognition and Matching Game at the beginning of September. I liked this board game so much that I immediately hunt for this toy.


I like this toy because it has 20 sets of wooden shape and shadow boards to recognize various shapes and match them with the corresponding outlines. Young kids will develop shape recognition while they strengthen their visual memory and fine motor.

Tommy got engage with this game since the beginning I think it is because of the 3D shapes. We currently use two shapes at a time. We will eventually increase more and more shapes and shadow boards until he can match all the 20 shapes and shadow boards. Tommy puts the shapes aligned with the shadow board sometimes. Other times, he puts the shapes upside down on the right shadow boards or he puts the shapes on the side of the right shadow boards, so we accept it as correct because it is expect at his age.

Enjoy the video of Tommy matching by shape.

Tommy associates the rectangle and square shapes with the iPhone.
At the end of the video, he pretends he talks on the square iPhone
and he handed it to me to talk to daddy on the square iPhone
before matching.

Our art of language -Learning the alphabet

By the middle of May, we started to work with a new Speech Therapist (SP). The method she uses to increase speech production with the kids she works with is called ZooPhonics.

"Zoo-phonics is a complete language arts program that teaches using a cast of 26 Animal/Letter characters, using a whole-brain, kinesthetic approach. Whole-brain learning uses techniques that integrate the imaginative brain skills with the analytical and language skills. Kinesthetic learning deals with body and movement, learning and knowing through physical activity and motion. Simple strategies can make better use of the whole brain and can dramatically improve learning and performance skills...With Zoo-phonics, children learn to read and spell through their eyes, mouth, ears and body. If one perceptual channel is weak, there are three other channels to take over and support the weak one. For example, if a child has an auditory deficit, his/her eyes, mouth and body will take over and help him or her to access, understand, memorize, use and transfer the new information. Children learn though Zoo-phonics when no other program works. The colorful Animal Letters and Body Movements (Signals) engage the child and hold his or her attention. Because the curriculum is so playful, children not only want to learn, their behavior improves because the children are on task and happy while learning through Zoo-phonics. Instead of telling children to “sit down and be quiet” we encourage them to wiggle their hands and body and make sounds (letter sounds)!"

~www.zoophonics.com

Essential kit to star ZooPhonics

Since the first day our Speech therapist showed the ZooPhonic to our son, he said several short sounds of the animal/letters alphabet. He was saying many short sounds of the animal/letters alphabet by the 3rd session with our SP. He is saying most of the alphabet in short sounds when I just showed the letter or when he sees the ZooPhonic video. He is also anticipating what sounds comes next while we do the letters with the flash cards. He is beginning to recognize the alphabet letters at the same time. The progress we has seen in his speech production has been enormous and in a short period of time since we started the ZooPhonics program. We have still to work on some sounds, but some of them are later sounds.

Video of Tommy doing the short sounds of the alphabet.

This video doen't display all the alphabet sounds Tommy does.

Animal/Letter short sounds Tommy says:

a, b, c, d, e, g, h, i, j, k, m, n, o, p, s, t, u, w and y.

We replaced the short "n" sound for "naah" to make it easier for him.

Approximated Animal/Letter short sounds Tommy says:

f, l, r and z. Tommy does the spanish r sound, but he doesn't

the "r" English sound yet.

Animal/Letter short sounds Tommy doesn't say yet:

q, v, and x

ZooPhonics is indisputably a language art program because of the excellent design of the animal/letters character that engage kids into recognizing the alphabet, reading, spelling and writing.

We have also incorporated to our art of language the Write and Erase set cards by Brain Quest for ages 2+ to trace letters. When I found these cards I wasn't sure Tommy was ready for them; even although, it says in the box 2+. I told our ST about the Brain Quest cards she said why not to use it as a complement of the ZooPhonic because the Brain Quest cards also used the shorts sounds that Tommy is learning with the Zoo-phonic. I bought the set phonics and Alphabet cards, and for my surprise, tracing the letters with guidance is an activity that Tommy has the patient to do, but I keep it short, so we just trace the vowels. I think this cards are complete educational becaue incorporates several senses while the child learns as the Zoo-phonic. According to the Brain Quest website, these cards will help teaching the child to read and write using phonics. Writing-in letters helps your child sound out and recognize simple words. Enhance fine motor skills, build confidence through practice and help preschoolers get read for school; while it allows me incorporate the kinesthetic approach from the Zoo-phonic cards.

Video of Tommy traces letters with guidance.

Let's Pretend (Part 3)

Two months ago, I posted about how my son was playing dress-up; even although, he wasn't walking yet. After two months, he keeps enjoying dress-up and the best of all, I enjoy watching him walking around playing with his dress-up toys.

Tommy came to my room this morning and found the cap from my wonder woman costume. He was playing with it and I thought he could wear it. We watched a Superman cartoon I found in You Tube to help him to understand who was the person I was telling him he was. Because he hasn't seen any Superman movies before. He liked the cartoon! He smiled at me every time I said: "Here comes the Superman." So, I asked to him "Who is Superman?" and he signed "me." It was the best I could do for him today. He wore the cap until nap time.

He has exceed our expectations since he was in the womb.
We don't know what the future grants for him,
but we will be there for him in every single stage of his life.
He is my little Superman!

Video of Tommy playing dress up

Finally, I could film Tommy putting his sunglasses on.
I was trying to do it since I got hi sunglasses in May
because he likes it so much, but I kept forgetting it.
He also likes to put his Aloha necklace on crossing his chest,
so he has his own fashion style.

I am currently creating a dress-up box for Tommy. My mother-in-law gave him a dress-up box and I have gotten a few more items, but I still have to work more on this project. As soon as, it is done I will post a photo.


Related Articles:

1. Tommy, "The Boxer"
   
2. Tommy's pretend play skills
3. Let's pretend
4. Let's pretend (Part 2)

Early Math Skills -"different" and "same"

The concepts of "different" and "same" are math concepts that will be used in later school years; therefore, they are considered critical first steps in learning to classify objects based on their visual characteristics. Our DT suggested to introduce these concepts to my son after he showed proficiency in matching.

Tommy got engaged with these activities since the first time I introduced it to him. I started playing the games What's different? and What's the same? with stuffed animals and animal figurines, which keep Tommy engages with the activity. We also play What's different? and What's the same? with the memory game Teddy Mix & match by Ravensburger, which is a memory game for ages from 2 1/2 to 5. We have also incorporated household items into the game to support Tommy's language development.

What's different? Game

What's the same? Game

The Teddy Mix & Match is an ideal beginner's memory game.
The large, extra thick cards are perfect for little hands.
It is a fun way to develop recognition, observation, association,
memory, and social skills by just playing with this memory game.
The graphics are well done that keep Tommy delights while we play.

An True American Hero

When I think in the future of the United States of America, I think in the children including my son, who has a genetic disorder. As today we celebrate the Independence Day of this wonderful country, we also celebrate the Independence of our son, who with a genetic disorder has accomplished many milestones and it is doing many things as a toddler; even although, he doesn't walk yet. But the best of all, he is has a very independent personality as any other two year old.

He impresses people around him when they discover this little guy who has an extra chromosome is able to wash his hands, brush his teeth, help with dressing and undressing, match objects by picture, recognizing the primary colors, say the short sound for the alphabet, play with flash cards, do small chores at home and so on. He is a good learner regardless his genetic condition. He is a very healthy child regardless the syndrome. His growth chart is excellent regardless the hypothyroidism. A kid with a genetic disorder has to try harder than his typical peers, but our little boy doesn't give up even though he can not take his gross motor skills for granted. Even he has a genetic condition that affects his body, it doesn't affect his soul because he keeps amazing people around him for every accomplishment he has done. For this an more, he is a true American hero!

Even although I am not an American citizen yet, I love this country as mine. To show my respect and gratitude to this country, I inculcate to my son love for this country and respect for freedom regardless the syndrome.

"I have learned this, at least, from my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

~Herry David Thoreau, Walder, 1854

That American dream of a better, richer, and happier life for all our citizens of every rank, which is the greatest contribution we have made to the thought and welfare of the world. That dream or hope has been present from the start. Ever since we became an independent nation, each generation has seen an uprising of ordinary Americans to save that dream from the forces which appeared to be overwhelming it.

~James Truslow Adams

Video of Tommy's tribute to his motherland,

The United States of America.

My son is saving the American Dream in every

common hour of his life.

Happy Independence Day!

The Color of Hope

One of my favorite song is "Color Esperanza" by Diego Torres (The color of hope).

This song means a lot to me because I came to the USA in pursuing

my master's degree with the hope for a better future. Six years later,

I am living in this wonderful country with my husband and my

child who is the color of hope, for every milestones he accomplishes

and for every challenge he surpasses.

Color Esperanza by Diego Torres

"In 2003, the song was performed specially by Torres for the

Pope John Paul II in Cuatro Vientos Airport in Madrid, Spain

by the festival of the Youth, for to welcome the Pope."~Wikipedia.com

Colors means a lot in my life because the graphic art is one of my best skills since I remember. Now, I welcome my son to my world by teaching him about colors. I introduced colors to Tommy when he was about 15-month old for strengthening Tommy's attention span. Tommy and I used to drop stacking cups and foam letters grouped by color in the bathtub (A color per week). While we dropped the cups, I labeled the color in English and Spanish.

I bought a set of flash cards and it comes with color cards. Then, I started to show the cards to Tommy and telling him: pick the green, pick the yellow. He did pick the correct color every time I asked. It made realize how capable my son is, but Tommy was 16.5 month old; so, I decided to work on this activity when he was older. Our Speech therapist, at that time, was witness of this and she was very impressed.

According to the article 'Why Colors and Shapes Matter' by Ellen Booth Church, Color is one of the first ways your preschooler makes distinctions among things she sees; color words are some of the first words she uses to describe these things. You have probably heard the pride in your child's voice as she names the colors of the balloons at the store checkout, or her delight when she realizes that a banana and pear are different shades of yellow... But there is much more to your child's understanding of color than "knowing his colors." While it is important for him to know the names of the colors, it is just as important for him to know what to do with them. You can help by inviting him to notice many shades, hues, and tints. Make up names for these colors together, such as lemon yellow or apple red. You will be helping him use color as a means for creative thinking and language.

Tommy is in the age appropriate to work on sorting, matching and recognition of colors. As a mommy-teacher, I have found easier to teach the primary colors first in the following order: yellow, green, red and blue. Now that my son is older, I am introducing two colors at a time, but they should contrast because it is easier for the child to notice the deference between them. For example: I am teaching the colors black and white to Tommy, the contrast between those two colors is very noticeable. If we are going to use the primary colors, I always use yellow as the contrasting color of the color I am working on.

His developmental Therapist introduced sorting by color to Tommy when he was about 23 month. He began to sort by color with me when he turned 24 month. We have toys we use for sorting by color, which also are for developing eye-hand coordination. And, we recently retake the activity of colors with flash cards and Tommy likes to match by color with the flash cards.

Tommy seems to have aptitude of graphic artist (ha, ha, ha, like mommy). I think is a great skill to develop in any child because it is a long lasting skill that can be pursued any where in the world and they can do it for leaving.

Enjoy the video of Tommy working with colors.

A Fragment of the song "Color Esperanza"

Translation:

“...Knowing that is possible, desiring that can be

Removing the fears, taking them off

Painting the face with the color of hope

Tempting to the future with the heart

It's better to be lost than never to embark

It's better to attempt to stop trying

Even although, you see that the beginning is not easy

The impossible can be achieved

The sadness will go on some day

and thus will be, life changes and will change

You'll feel that your soul flies

for singing one more time..."

Matching Like Object

Currently, Tommy is able to match a three figure puzzle (Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Barnyard Animals Jumbo Knob Puzzle). He began to match one figure when he was 16-17 month and he matched the three figures when he was about 21-22 month. We like to reinforce Tommy's skills; therefore, his Developmental Therapist and I are increasing the difficulty of matching.

One way, I have found, it is fun for Tommy to play 'matching' is during story time before going to bed. His favorite animal is the 'PIG' and he loves to do the pig sound. Therefore, I bought the book "Fun in the mud," which is about a pig that didn't want to share the mud with other animals in the farm, but at the end, they had a mud fun party. To make the story time more fun, I bought a pig figurine. It was a success! Tommy loves the story; while I read, he does the pig sound and matches the pig illustration with the pig figurine. This is an easy way to combine cognition, language development and have fun while inculcate love for reading.

You can find a good source for matching in Bill and Ria's blog. Here is the link:

http://billandria.blogspot.com/2010/01/matching.html