Please bear with me and watch this video. It's quite a long watch (3mins and 27 secs) but please please do take a look and tell me what you notice.
It is just the stage mom in me or is it Mattie beginning to sight read? Did you notice that he begins to smile every time we get to the word HUG? Is he beginning to recognize the word and so anticipate what comes next? Whatever it is, I just love it when My Little Mattie smiles. I think this is one more milestone worth celebrating!
As I do some research on several books and the internet, I happen to read a lot of good reviews about this reading program called Love and Learning. It's a reading program specifically designed for children with special needs. After careful consideration, my husband and I decided to try the first kit of this learning program and see if it works. The first kit introduces letters and the sounds they make, and the associated word for each of the letters. The kit is recommended for infants and toddlers to stimulate and improve vocalization and sight reading skills. The program consists of a set of books, one book contains each letter of the alphabet printed on one separate page, the other books with the associated words and pictures for each of the letters. The books are also supplemented by an audio CD and DVD that plays the sounds and videos of the letters and words in the books.
I know Mattie may be a bit too young for this learning material (after all he just turned 1!). But I essentially wanted to start him on this program to 1. instill a love for reading (in addition to this, I also read to him a couple of other books during bedtime), 2. introduce him to different sounds to encourage him to communicate and babble 3. prepare him for sight reading and to familiarize him with letters and words (Children with down syndrome are found out to be very visual learners. A lot of times they learn to read words before they can even say them!) and 4. just to hang out, cuddle and have fun while we're learning.
I bet Mattie probably thinks that I'm just jabbering away and just making silly noises every time we do reading exercises. I wonder if he is beginning to realize that these letters have meaning, or that words are actually made up of letters put together? I wonder when the magical moment would arrive - the moment when he would start recognizing the words and begin reading them himself! For now, the fact that Mattie sits with me all through out the session is rewarding enough. While we wait for the magical moment, we will just have to consume ourselves with a lot of cuddling, a lot of loving, and a lot of HUGS.
Hugs to all,
Mattie's Mom
As I do some research on several books and the internet, I happen to read a lot of good reviews about this reading program called Love and Learning. It's a reading program specifically designed for children with special needs. After careful consideration, my husband and I decided to try the first kit of this learning program and see if it works. The first kit introduces letters and the sounds they make, and the associated word for each of the letters. The kit is recommended for infants and toddlers to stimulate and improve vocalization and sight reading skills. The program consists of a set of books, one book contains each letter of the alphabet printed on one separate page, the other books with the associated words and pictures for each of the letters. The books are also supplemented by an audio CD and DVD that plays the sounds and videos of the letters and words in the books.
I know Mattie may be a bit too young for this learning material (after all he just turned 1!). But I essentially wanted to start him on this program to 1. instill a love for reading (in addition to this, I also read to him a couple of other books during bedtime), 2. introduce him to different sounds to encourage him to communicate and babble 3. prepare him for sight reading and to familiarize him with letters and words (Children with down syndrome are found out to be very visual learners. A lot of times they learn to read words before they can even say them!) and 4. just to hang out, cuddle and have fun while we're learning.
I bet Mattie probably thinks that I'm just jabbering away and just making silly noises every time we do reading exercises. I wonder if he is beginning to realize that these letters have meaning, or that words are actually made up of letters put together? I wonder when the magical moment would arrive - the moment when he would start recognizing the words and begin reading them himself! For now, the fact that Mattie sits with me all through out the session is rewarding enough. While we wait for the magical moment, we will just have to consume ourselves with a lot of cuddling, a lot of loving, and a lot of HUGS.
Hugs to all,
Mattie's Mom
Sharon, This is an awesome way to share information, learning's, etc. between parents. You're doing an OUTSTANDING job with Mattie and he's very blessed to have you as his mother (and Chris - as his father). Please continue to stretch Mattie and set high expectations for him regarding education, life skills, etc. I think you'll be amazed in what he's able to do because of your love, support, guidance, etc. Besides your efforts, please continue to factor in your Faith in God to help you, Chris & Mattie...I'm confident that you will not be disappointed. Blessings to you, Mattie & Chris.
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