Wednesday was Storytime at our local library. We've been attending Storytime for a little more than a year, moving from the Toddler class to the Preschool class a year early on the teachers suggestion that Loren would probably fit in nicely with the more mature group as the Toddler class had a number of kids that had a hard time sitting still and focusing on the story.
Normally Loren sits quietly during Storytime, attentive, but with minimal active participation. She's usually tentative to join the group of kids without a short warming up period and regularly checks in with me throughout the hour class. This week however, she didn't even hold my hand walking into the room. She immediately ran into the group and began excitedly chatting with the teacher and other kids. Then during the stories, she was the first to answer the teacher's questions about the story, she did all of the motions to songs, and even sang most of the words to the songs.
The only thing I can attribute this change to is her experience in ballet class on Monday. I look forward to seeing her develop independence as we progress in our studies and community classes.
Showing posts with label language arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label language arts. Show all posts
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
She can spell her name!
At TLC (Tacoma Learning Center) this week, Loren decided that she needed to sign her painting with a pen. I let her of course. While she was scribbling/writing the couple letters she knows, she spelled "L-O-R-E-N" outloud! I couldn't believe my ears and couldn't get her to do it again for me. Later she spelled it again while at the park. That night she pointed to the letters that spell her name written on our living room window and again spelled "L-O-R-E-N," this time I was able to get her to do it again on camera :) Proud momma moment!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
September Catch Up...
Here is a quick overview of the learning experiences we had during the month of September:
Goats!
We brought home our first two pygora goats on August 28th and spent a number of days getting to know them and prepare their new home, a fenced in area of brush that they are clearing for the chickens we will be getting later this year. We loved the first two goats so much that we bought two more 3 weeks later! Their names are Ellie (aka Elephant), Chip (aka Chipmunk), Nilla (aka Cherry Vanilla), and Prince. We've learned a lot about caring for animals, different types of goats and farm animals, visited a pygora goat ranch in Oregon (Hawks Mountain Ranch), sheering and preparing angora fiber, and I'm sure much, much more that I have failed to notice. Loren has also developed an amazing independance and confidence since we brought home the goats, often telling her friends, other adults, or complete strangers about them and how we take care of them. She has begun taking responsibility for some of the goat care and loves bringing them their grain/cob treat in the evenings.
Learn Through Play Group
September's theme was "The Seashore." We did some imaginary play using a kid-sized swimming pool and a sandbox. We explored Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park where we colored booklets on sea life, played in sensory bins, and painted using natural-material paint brushes (ie. sticks, leaves, rocks). We also built stick rafts at China Lake Park and floated them in the water. All of these activities involved both the education value of the lessons included, but also the valuable social experiences with kids ranging from 2-9 years old. Loren's current favorite friend is a 6 year old little girl, MC, and she loves learning and playing with her.
Puyallup Fair
We attended free day at the Puyallup Fair. We always love taking advantage of free day at the fair. It's a wonderful time to see all of the animals, visit with the animal's owners and ask questions. We even met a woman who lives near us and has miniature horses that she's invited us over to visit! Loren is SO excited! While we were there, we ran into other homeschooling friends, and of course we had to try out a few rides.
Shows & Studio
Loren attended one show with us during the month of September, the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. While there, she learned about the construction and culture of wooden boat building in our area. She observed and participated the sale of our work and the organizing and PR of running a show (this is one of the few shows that I actually help to organize during they year). She also increased her independence from us by socializing with other kids who happened to be at the show and wandering to the playground that was nearby to play without needing one of us to be by her side. In the studio, she continued working on making beaded necklaces using pony beads and string and talked about selling them to customers for "4 bucks," lol.
Storytime, Play 2 Learn, & TLC
We regularly participate in these weekly preschool-style programs. Storytime and Play 2 Learn are great places for Loren to learn about sitting still and listening to someone else in order to learn. She also learns how to participate and learn in a group of other kids who may or may not be following directions or paying attention. TLC is a favorite program that combines both normally developing kids with developmentally-delayed kids for a free-play session in their therapy classroom. This usually involves imaginary play as well as gross motor activities with other kids.
Homeschool Group Park Date
This weekly playdate is a chance for other homeschool families to get together and visit. Loren gets some social interaction with other homeschoolers and I get a chance to talk with other homeschooling parents. We've developed a fairly strong core group of families over the summer and hope to continue (with a location change for weather) through out the school year. Loren has been learning about social dynamics in groups of older kids through this group and the older kids are teaching her games like tag and hide-and-seek.
Homeschool Group Game Day
We participated in a game day hosted by a member of our homeschool group. This was a wonderful opportunity to practice playing games such as Candyland, with other kids. Loren began to understand about turn-taking and following the movement directions specific to Candyland.
Fire Station Field Trip
We took a tour of a fire station in Lakewood with a homeschool group. Loren loved getting to see the fire truck up close and sitting in the front seat. Though I think she actually liked sitting in the back seat of the cab of the engine better... More to look at maybe?
Testing out the driver's seat of the fire truck.
Goats!
We brought home our first two pygora goats on August 28th and spent a number of days getting to know them and prepare their new home, a fenced in area of brush that they are clearing for the chickens we will be getting later this year. We loved the first two goats so much that we bought two more 3 weeks later! Their names are Ellie (aka Elephant), Chip (aka Chipmunk), Nilla (aka Cherry Vanilla), and Prince. We've learned a lot about caring for animals, different types of goats and farm animals, visited a pygora goat ranch in Oregon (Hawks Mountain Ranch), sheering and preparing angora fiber, and I'm sure much, much more that I have failed to notice. Loren has also developed an amazing independance and confidence since we brought home the goats, often telling her friends, other adults, or complete strangers about them and how we take care of them. She has begun taking responsibility for some of the goat care and loves bringing them their grain/cob treat in the evenings.
Loren showing off her new goats.
Learn Through Play Group
September's theme was "The Seashore." We did some imaginary play using a kid-sized swimming pool and a sandbox. We explored Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park where we colored booklets on sea life, played in sensory bins, and painted using natural-material paint brushes (ie. sticks, leaves, rocks). We also built stick rafts at China Lake Park and floated them in the water. All of these activities involved both the education value of the lessons included, but also the valuable social experiences with kids ranging from 2-9 years old. Loren's current favorite friend is a 6 year old little girl, MC, and she loves learning and playing with her.
Pic to come...
Loren testing out the raft with her building partners.
We attended free day at the Puyallup Fair. We always love taking advantage of free day at the fair. It's a wonderful time to see all of the animals, visit with the animal's owners and ask questions. We even met a woman who lives near us and has miniature horses that she's invited us over to visit! Loren is SO excited! While we were there, we ran into other homeschooling friends, and of course we had to try out a few rides.
Pic to come...
Riding in the canoe ride.
Shows & Studio
Loren attended one show with us during the month of September, the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. While there, she learned about the construction and culture of wooden boat building in our area. She observed and participated the sale of our work and the organizing and PR of running a show (this is one of the few shows that I actually help to organize during they year). She also increased her independence from us by socializing with other kids who happened to be at the show and wandering to the playground that was nearby to play without needing one of us to be by her side. In the studio, she continued working on making beaded necklaces using pony beads and string and talked about selling them to customers for "4 bucks," lol.
Loren playing with her "customer." She sold her a necklace and hairclip.
Storytime, Play 2 Learn, & TLC
We regularly participate in these weekly preschool-style programs. Storytime and Play 2 Learn are great places for Loren to learn about sitting still and listening to someone else in order to learn. She also learns how to participate and learn in a group of other kids who may or may not be following directions or paying attention. TLC is a favorite program that combines both normally developing kids with developmentally-delayed kids for a free-play session in their therapy classroom. This usually involves imaginary play as well as gross motor activities with other kids.
Pic to come...
Learning about teamwork... and gravity.
Homeschool Group Park Date
This weekly playdate is a chance for other homeschool families to get together and visit. Loren gets some social interaction with other homeschoolers and I get a chance to talk with other homeschooling parents. We've developed a fairly strong core group of families over the summer and hope to continue (with a location change for weather) through out the school year. Loren has been learning about social dynamics in groups of older kids through this group and the older kids are teaching her games like tag and hide-and-seek.
Homeschool Group Game Day
We participated in a game day hosted by a member of our homeschool group. This was a wonderful opportunity to practice playing games such as Candyland, with other kids. Loren began to understand about turn-taking and following the movement directions specific to Candyland.
Fire Station Field Trip
We took a tour of a fire station in Lakewood with a homeschool group. Loren loved getting to see the fire truck up close and sitting in the front seat. Though I think she actually liked sitting in the back seat of the cab of the engine better... More to look at maybe?
Testing out the driver's seat of the fire truck.
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