the end of an alphabet
“Remember in elementary school you were told that in case of fire you have to line up quietly in a single file from smallest to tallest? What is the logic in that? What, do tall people burn slower?”
– Warren Hutcherson
A few months ago when we started playing school, I wasn’t sure if T was at a point developmentally to really understand the concept of the alphabet in all its glory. We started doing letters one by one (with all the associated projects, games, and books I could think of to go with them). Though I could tell that she was enjoying herself, it was difficult to see if any real progress was being made. Although T was always ready to do the “arps n’ craps,” I couldn’t tell if she was actually learning anything from our activities – aside from how to sprinkle glitter and paint the booster seat. . . which I was fine with. A beginning is what it is, and if all she was getting was fun with paint and glue, I was perfectly okay with that. But I still wondered. . .
Now that we’ve come to the end of our capital letter journey, I know for sure and without a doubt that my little sponge was paying attention the whole time. Something clicked in her little brain about half-way through, and she started to really understand the concept that letters have sounds, and that these sounds build the words that we see in our books. . .
There are still a few letters that she’s iffy on or gets mixed up, but for the most part, she’s got it. Which I, as mother and ‘teacher,’ am totally thrilled by!
WE DID IT!!! AND IT WORKED!!!
How cool is that!??
Here is the front cover of her capital letter book. Its HUGE! The thing prolly weighs at least 5 pounds in glitter alone!!! It leaves little glittery piles everywhere it goes. . .
Huginn, Muninn, and me 
wecki77 said,
November 12, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Sigh, so wonderful. What can I say?
On a slightly vearing path, Mark is making me clean out my boxes in the basement. These are all of my things from when I taught 1st grade. When going through, I’ll see if there’s anything good for you (there might be a sound tape…yes tape…and some other good stuff…I can really be a fun teacher when I try). Maybe I’ll get through it in time to add to a Christmas present. If not, I’m sure birthday…such a procrastinator.
grandapok said,
November 13, 2009 at 2:22 am
I ❤
ChristinesLillSprouts said,
November 13, 2009 at 2:43 pm
That’s great….I am truly impressed just how smart T is! The fact that your 2 yr old knows the letters AND the sounds they make, when I can’t get my 5 yr old to understand, is quite frustrating. We need you over here, LOL. Great work momma.
Jenn said,
November 13, 2009 at 7:35 pm
you are FABULOUS!
Kelli said,
November 13, 2009 at 10:17 pm
It’s so fun to see young minds clicking!! The glittery letters are awesome!!!
Amber said,
November 14, 2009 at 7:29 pm
How awesome!!!
Kendall(Nickname must go as it's too long, but you know!) said,
November 14, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Rock on mama!! Little T learns quickly!! I just hope that we can finish all of OUR letters before this new baby arrives. Up to Q…just gotta “git r dun!”
Saumya said,
November 20, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Miss T is a very quick learner!!! Good job Mommy!!! I can’t make Aadya sit for remaining letters…She is not stitting still more thn 5 mins….. God knows the reason!!!!
FooFoo said,
November 28, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Okay, I LOVE the N for nest page, that is the coolest looking letter I ever saw. Incredible, Chesh, all this art work is incredible.