Each of my older children has a journal. My 2 year old mostly just colors in hers...although she pretends to write. She will even "sound out" words and say various letters as she "writes". She can make an "O"...so many words end up "oooo".
My 5 year old has been writing in his since he was 4. I really find it challenging to read phonetically sometimes. It's great not only to see him interested in writing, but it's so special to peer into his little heart and mind at a new angle. I think he is able to express his thoughts with more clarity when he writes than he is verbally. Sometimes what he writes makes me laugh...sometimes it melts my heart, and occasionally, it causes me to take a step back and take a painfully honest look at myself, and my interaction with him.
Here are a few excerpts from my son's journal:
"I like doing my journal and I like doing my school."
"We used to almost have a baby. When she popped she was beautiful!"
Our youngest daughter was born several months ago. He was recalling when I was pregnant with her..."almost have a baby." And when we talked about the baby being born we would say she was going to "pop out". I know - it's not incredibly scientific...and unfortunately not too accurate either, I seriously wish they would just "pop" out. But it's not too far of a stretch...they sorta pop out.
I love that he calls her beautiful...so sweet! He also wrote about the baby in another entry, which I didn't post this time. In that one he calls her "cut" [cute].
"Bouncy balls are fun."
[naturally followed by renderings of bouncy balls: one for each family member and then three more, one each for his most favorite toys]
"I can't stop crying right away."
This is one of those entries that kind of grips me. It catches me and forces me to think about how I am parenting. My son is, well, dramatic...and emotional. I'm not sure if it's his age, life changes that are happening in the family...or just his personality - or maybe something else. However, it. is. so. painful...for him, for my husband and I...for his siblings.
He has developed a tendency to respond to situations he dislikes with high pitched crying and screaming. Recently, we have determined to take a "zero tolerance policy" approach to it. It's just not ok for him to yell. Whether it's a loud sad wailing or an angry outburst...he is punished whenever he chooses that behavior.
While I think this is good, I also realized that sometimes he just needs to be removed from the situation and given time to consider what transpired. Often I just expect and demand that he stop...right now. And although I think he is able and must learn to discipline himself in that way...sometimes he needs some space and some time to cry and be sad. Not to yell and be hysterical - that I won't tolerate...but I need to allow him some space to express his emotions in a healthy way. It's my job to correct his poor behavior, but also to guide him and show him how to appropriately express his thoughts and emotions, not just to train him to suppress them, although that skill is also important.
Sometimes we all just need a good cry.
"I wish that Dad could stay home."
"I am good at Mario Brothers and I am good at Toy Story."
[wii games - see previous post...]
"Mom, I love you and sometimes I want to snuggle. I love you."
[*smile*...*sigh* I mean, really...how precious is that?!]
"[My sister - I've omitted her name] is naughty sometimes. [She does] not share sometimes."
"Lions are scary. Alligators are scary. I don't like bugs in our garden eatin' our food."
"I am happy 'cuz I'm doin' my journal."
Well my, my- do I ever feel behind! I am so impressed with how well you have already educated your little ones! I think my 4 year old is probably more on par with your two-year old- he knows his letters but has forgotten much over the summer or just flat out refuses to say them! We will be getting back into school on the 16th though and hope he remembers quickly! I'm going to have to use this journal idea... and those flash cards!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I hope this doesn't make you feel "behind"! :(
ReplyDeleteI really believe that all kids learn at different paces and in various ways. I see that in my own kids, even. If anything, please be encouraged, or inspired.
One of the beautiful things about home education is that it allows our children space to learn individually. Obviously, certain milestones ought to be reached in each specific age group...but to place very age-specific universal expectations - especially on children this young, is perhaps unfair and even unrealistic.
Some kids begin to talk before their first birthday...others not until their second. So to expect all children to read, write or identify shapes at the same time makes little sense when we are looking at children in pre-k and k age groups...they all develop at different speeds.
Even if kids learned the same - not all parents or teachers educate the same way.
So - take heart, Mama...I'm sure your 4 year old is perfectly fine where he is in his academics. If he's anything like my daughter, he probably knows much more than he chooses to express!
Thank you for your encouragement. I'm so glad you found these ideas useful! Have fun learning with those little ones. :)