* Disclaimer: Posted by a proud mama - slight bragging may ensue :)
This morning, while riding the bus from BHS to church, Cole struck up a conversation with a precious lady sitting next to us. He proceeded to talk about his name, age, and birth date which then lead to talks of planets (a favorite subject these days), Creation, God, Jesus, etc. She kept repeating, "he's only four?". We just smiled and answered that we are truly blessed to parent such an amazing son.
Part of Cole's personality that we're still adjusting to (especially these days) is how much he loves to learn. Beginning at a young age, he would choose books over toys. We have pictures of him around 14 months old sitting in a pile of books he'd taken off his shelf, gently thumbing through the pages.
He would sit forever in our laps and listen intently to story after story. As he grew, these favorite story times began to incorporate writing, art, puzzles, and the like. Many days, Michael and I would have to encourage 'play'. . . he just wanted to learn (which of course thrilled my teaching heart!).
These days, his attention span continues to increase and he's now the one reading to us. Forget the Level 1 and 2 readers. He picked up his new Imagination Library book he received in the mail (never heard the story before) and literally read the entire thing to me - with help on just a few words such as 'journalist' and 'reality'. Of course I had to explain some of the vocabulary, but his phonetic awareness is truly extraordinary!
If it gets really quiet, you can bet he's probably on his bed or ours with a book. Dressed in his handsome church clothes, he especially looks like such a little man!
(We joke that Cade will leave all studious traits to his brother and that he'll be our little wild child. I can't wait to see how different (or alike) they will be!)
More than ever, I'm convinced of the overwhelming need for parents to read daily and regularly with their children. I was an advocate during my teaching days, but we seriously have not 'taught' Cole to read. Friends and strangers alike ask what we've done and I don't have the magic answer. We never did alphabet drills, rote memorization, or any other formal schooling early on. He just learned reading patterns through our fun times of cuddling together with books. . . love it!
Cole,
Mommy and Daddy love you so much and are so proud of the boy you are becoming. Your spirit, love, and joy captivate us daily and remind us how blessed we are to have you in our lives. We love that you love to learn and will try to teach you all that we can in the coming days. Most of all, we love that you enjoy learning about our Savior. . . how He came, died, rose, and is coming again for all who believe. We await the day your heart opens to His knocking and you receive the precious gift of salvation. That will truly be a day to celebrate!
For now, here are a few things you love. . .
* the United States - you know where the states are located on a map, along with their individual shapes and names. Daddy and I have learned a lot from you!
* working 60-100 piece puzzles. This love has trickled down from your great-grandmother Mom G I do believe :) You now know how to begin with the edge pieces, working your way to the inside.
* the planets - your favorite is Saturn and you are learning facts about each one
* rhyming words - a favorite car game is Mommy and Daddy naming a word with which you name others that rhyme
* Alphabet Match Up - a letter is mentioned and we all try to think of words in a specific category that begin with that letter. You often beat us!
* reading ALL kinds of books. If a word stumps you, you will try to sound it out while looking to context clues from the sentences and pictures for help.
* Reciting Scripture - you will recite a verse and we have to recite one back to you. Mommy and Daddy have been quite embarrassed at our lacking knowledge of Scripture - you challenge us buddy! Many times you recite what we've worked on from the day/week, but sometimes you create your own. Your concoction today was, "The Lord loves us and heals us and is powerful. 1 John 14:16" Love it!
* writing and drawing on your easel - constant pictures are pizzas and rainbows
* making any kind of craft - you enjoy painting, cutting, and gluing the best
* I Spy books - I pulled down the large hardbacks from the attic. . . you've LOVED reading the rhymes and searching for pictures.
* Board games - Memory is a favorite. . . you are constantly reminding us where the matches are located.
I can't wait to see what learning adventure we'll encounter next!
5 comments:
Ok, Adeline is 14 months today and she does the SAME thing with books! In fact, today I thought how I need to get a picture of her sitting in the middle of all of them after she pulls them off of her shelf. She really adores books, too. She would also rather be in her room, sitting with her books flipping through them quietly than playing with toys. She does that so often. After reading your blog, Jeremy and I were just talking about how we are hoping that will be a sign that she will be very inquisitive and intelligent like Cole! The kid is truly brilliant.
P.S. Ask him what his thoughts are on where the housing market is going. Maybe he knows more than us and we could use a good answer :)
Even a proud Gigi can say that our Cole is an avid learner. All these things come easy for him. I just pray that he will continue as he grows older and has much to teach his younger brother. Love you!!
Karis also chooses books over most things, other than Sesame Street which is her new obsession. She has started to play more lately, but still wants books to be read. Holly and I will leave out random words in her favorite stories, and she will pipe up with the missing word. She just turned 2! She knows her ABC's as that is her favorite song and can count to 20. We like you are amazed at what our kids are not only learning but retaining.
I second Jared- we have a lot of pics of Karis sitting among a pile of books where she had emptied her bookshelf. We have read so many books so many times that I even recognize the open book in that pic of Cole as being "A Mud Pie for Mother," and that is the page where he puts back the dirt from the farmer's wife's garden and no longer has a gift for his mother... Nothing will ever replace the traditional paper book!
Cole is one amazing and special boy. Love having him in class! I can't wait to see him grown up. I know God will use that brain for his glory. Just yesterday at church I read the kids the book "mud pie for mother" haha. In class Cole looked at Clay and said, "I love you Mr. Clay." He is so stinkin' sweet and keeps us laughing. He is adorable!
Just don't get your expectations too high for the rest of your children ;) The first born often do that!
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