Well it has almost been a month since my last blog. Sorry everyone, Trying to get the toddler and the newborn into a routine has proven a little harder than I originally thought it was going to.
I spent my first day on my own today with the girls and with some organisation (something that is relatively foreign to me) I was able to get a bit of teaching done with my toddler and some baby exericise done with my newborn when she was awake.
I have just started this new maths programme with dd1 called Jones Genius Math Matrix from the USA and I must admit I was a bit skeptical at first as I have been using mainly computer based programmes and dvds to teach my DD things and this is completely paper based programme. DD1 has taken to it quite well and it is a step by step programme to teach littles from about 2 onwards maths and builds upon teaching them basic maths concepts to very difficult concepts and the ability to do rapid math calculation in their heads. Which to me is a fantastic abilty to have especially when maths can be a boring and difficult subject to learn.
The steps are VERY simple, so simple in fact I sometimes think I could over look them because they seem so trivial but each step is important. Sophia and I count forwards and backwards once a day because she wont do anymore than that and that's fine because early learning is all about fun. It never occured to me to actually count backwards, whenever I count with DD1 I always count forwards not backwards but in the math matrix step guide Dr Jones states that many children have a hard time with subtraction because most people never count backwards with them only forwards which I guess is true.
So far my little miss has enjoyed the first 4 steps of the math matrix program especially the drawing of the numbers with her finger. DD1 cant write yet but one of the steps is to count the dots on each number and trace the number with your finger. This step shows my dd not only does the number of dots increase with each no. showing larger and smaller numbers but she also gets to learn how the numbers are formed as well.
All in all I think this is a great way to introduce math concepts to the very young. I can also do it while im busy with DD2 and make a song of singing the numbers forward and backwards with Sophia while im feeding dd2 and DD2 gets to hear it all and is soaking up the information.
DD2 is going well, I don't do much early learning with her yet as she is still sleeping majority of the time. At the moment I mainly continue to show her black at white images to develop her vision, a load of tummy time when she is awake, massaging after bath where I get my husband to give her a baby massage ans talk to her about each part he is massaging saying I am now massaging your left arm and your left hand and fingers teaching miss DD2 about her body. I also show her herself in the mirror while doin tummy time. I also do vestibular work by doing little song and dance with her while rocking her from side to side and gently turning 3 times in one direction and 3 times in the opposite direction.To help with left and right brain development.
So that is what I have been doing in the last month. While trying to get the girls into a routine. I will update you on DD1 progress with the maths matrix. So far Im enjoying teachin it to which is also very important if you can't teach something joyously as doman says don't teach it at all.
Signing of for tonight.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog
Kimba
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