last week's discoveries!!!!

 i discovered last week that citlahli, the 21 month old, can identify a group of 3 and 2 objects and when i ask her to count she counts up to 2 and 3!!!! so excited!!!   how did this happen.... well, the only thing i've done is count objects around the house, when out shopping etc.  i've learned that at this age one should focus on counting up to three objects.  i do not believe in teaching new concepts with flashcards and drill/repeat (as i did before). i'm introducing concepts in context... what does that mean... (it took me some time as a teacher to figure that out too).  when citlahli is interested in something, say cheerios, i take the time to count them out loud. (you teach the skill with an every day/common interest).  i touch each one (one to one correspondence) and say the number, i also define what we are doing by telling her we are counting i.e. cheerios.  i also learned to teach the concept before introducing the "symbol" that represents the amount.  for example, i have not connect the "symbols" 2 and 3 yet until she shows mastery with identifying groups of objects and counting up to that number when asked.

so when did this happen for the first time...  we were reading a mary had a little lamb book and she said "thu cheep."  i acknowledged but wasn't sure what she said.  she looked and repeated when i said, "show me."  she then put a finger on each sheep (two) then said again "thu cheep."  i finally realized she said, "two sheep."   this was a major discover for her and i!  she has then gone on to identify two and three groups spontaneously.  great times! :)