Alphabetical

 

Today I heard Jack's excited voice: "Mommy! Come be so impressed!"

He had dumped the magnetic alphabet on the floor and, one by one, found each letter in the pile. As if that wasn't impressive enough, he lined them up in order on the refrigerator. It was such a big, tough job. He was proud of himself. He kept singing the alphabet while touching each letter, first to double-check himself and then to admire his work.

   

He's big into the alphabet lately. A while ago I made the letters of his first and last names for him to hang on a line with clothespins. I scramble the letters up and he clips them in order to spell his name. But he's ready for more; he asked me for the whole alphabet the other day, and we had to string lines around the room to fit all those letters.

There's nothing like watching the joy of mastery. That "I did it myself" moment when a child seems almost buoyant with self-satisfaction. I love to see him playing with the alphabet like it's a code to be cracked. I hope learning can always be this lively!

Has your child had a can-do moment lately?

Comments

[Erin Goodman]

So sweet!!!

My four-year old has just started writing notes to inform us about stuff and posting them around our house. Yesterday she left a note for my husband on the front door announcing that we would be having a fire (first fire of the season -- big excitement!).

http://eringoodman.com/blog/?p=427

It required no special translation. He knew exactly what she was saying when he read it. And she was so proud.

SO cool to watch her discover the power of the written word!

[Donna]

I love the clothesline idea for hanging letters! Very clever!

I love my excitable 4-year-old! He's got the most contagious love of learning and mastery. His little sister is following in his footsteps, too!

[Lori]

my older son was fascinated with the alphabet and learning to spell words when he was very young; his favorite alphabet was the foam one that works in the bathrub -- when they're wet, they stick to the wall of the tub or shower. he would sit in the bath for ages making words!