Homework Time

My mom recently bought Marco a preschool workbook to help get him ready for school.  At first glance, I knew it would be too challenging for him, but I decided to give it a try anyway.  I figured, I'd walk him through it and see how long he could focus for.  At first he could only do about 3 pages at a time before drifting off, but within a few weeks, he was doing 5.  Now, 2 months later, he does about 7 pages at a time!  His focus is increasing!

The rule is that he can only do his "homework" when he's sitting down with me.  TV off.  At an early age, I want him to understand that homework time requires focus.  I want him to respect it... so that's why I don't allow him to do it by himself.  I know that if I just gave him the book, he'd scribble all over it and it would become a hot mess in less than 2 minutes.  We also go in order of pages.  There are some pages in the back that he always wants to do, but I tell him we have to get there by doing the previous pages first.  He's learning that things have to go in order.

 I really like this book.  It goes in order from easy to hard.  There are a max of 4 questions per page and they're super visually stimulating.  As you can see, I am usually the one to write in the book... Marco does all the pointing.

On this page, the last question is a rhyming question.  Marco does not yet understand the concept of rhyming... and that's ok!  For the ones that he doesn't understand, I give him the answer.  I say, "Do you hear it?  Plane-Train... they sound like AIN" and I know that eventually he'll learn by example... he'll get it!

This book is also great because on the next page, it has the answers shown.  I'm sure this will be helpful for children working solo (older kids).  For us, it's always just exciting to see that they match and he was right!

This book has 192 pages, (96 pages with questions on it)... and 301 questions!  We're about half way done and we've been working consistently for about 2 months.  It'll probably take us another month to complete.

Overall, I'm really impressed with how it's helping Marco improve his concentration and focus.





And better than anything... he LIKES doing his homework.  He ASKS to do it.  When we're done for the day, I draw a design on his hand or give him a sticker for his efforts... he likes this best!

School Daze

It's that time of year... school registration.  Yeah, that's right... in JANUARY you have to commit to deciding if/where/when you'll be putting your child in AUGUST.  Seems a little soon, I agree.

But, alas, that's how it is.  So, at the end of December I began my search for a school for Marco.  Truth is, Marco has no NEED to go to school.  I am not going back to work and Jonas will not be going to school either, but other factors have come into play.

For one, Marco really, really, reeeeeally wants to go to school.  Every time we pass by a school he asks if that's "his school" and if he can go play with his "friends in there".  He doesn't know what school is exactly, but he knows it's a lot of fun and he's excited... and that excites me!  I want him to be over-the-top excited about all things school.

Another reason I feel it's a good time for Marco to start school is that I would like some time alone with Jonas.  So much of my time, resources and energy are spent on Marco and I know Jonas often gets the short end of the stick.  I know I've dropped the ball with him a bit... I'm just not as available to go back to basics with him.  For example, he doesn't yet know his animal sounds.  Wow, big deal, right?  I'm sure he'll still get into Harvard without knowing that the cow says "moo".  But... like... he should.  I just haven't had the time/patience to go back to basics.  It seems like we're always more focused on whatever Marco is learning.  Maybe if I get a few hours of me and Jonas time, without Marco, we'll be able to correct some of that.

So those are my BIG reasons.  But I'm not ready to commit to a 5 day full time program.  I just don't think it's necessary.  Since I'm not going to work and there's no real NEED, I think that that'll be too much, too soon.  Plus, although I want to be alone with Jonas, I don't want to take Marco away from Jonas too much either.  They're kinda attached to each other.

I've been in a big time school daze.  Trying to find a program that is semi-close to the house, affordable, Christian, 3 day and part time.  That's a long list to check off.  I seriously called a ton of schools to find one that met my desires and guess how many I found... ONE.  ONE.  So, that made my decision easy, I guess.

We toured the school a few weeks ago, just me and the boys, and Marco was beyond excited.  He got in the classroom, began playing, talking with the teacher, looking at all the books and bins and he KNEW that it was all for him.  I felt really good about everything and everyone that I talked to.  The place is super kid friendly, gorgeous, clean and organized.  I feel good about it.

And yesterday we went back for their open house.  I took Mauricio and Marco.  As we were pulling up, Marco was screaming, "Loooook, it's MY school"!  He went right on in, with confidence.  He was showing Mauricio all the cool things he had seen the time before, like the play ground and the kitchenette.  He said "thank you" to the teachers... and of course, they all melted.  (who wouldn't?)

So I'm biting the bullet.  Paying the $200 registration fee today and reserving his spot for a 3day part time (8am-12) K3 class beginning in August.  And I'm really excited about it.  I can't wait to see him all ready for school... wearing his little uniform with his book bag.  OMG, I'm gonna have a melt down.

{For privacy purposes, I will not be revealing the school of our choice over the blog, but if you're interested for your own searching purposes, please feel free to contact me and I'll share my information}

Music Time

Anyone that knows me, knows how much I love music.  And by now, if you've been reading my blog, you've also realized how important it is in my life.  What initially drove me to Mauricio was his musical talent and ability.  Yes, it's that important.

Naturally, I want my kids to be musical.  I dream of the days that we take car trips and sing road songs together... in four part harmony.  Dorky?  Yes!  And I love it.  When Marco tells me his letters and counts, I am happy.  When Marco sings his ABC's or any other song, I am elated.  We play pitch games, rhythm games and learn tons of songs.  I think he's quite talented.  

Even Jonas has demonstrated his musical skills.  He tries to sing along with Marco and he can do some rhythmic "ba ba"'s.  Four part harmony here we come!

Now tell me this isn't dorky... to the extreme.  In the car, we sing the Super Why theme song.  I'm on lead, and Mauricio does the accompaniment and harmonies.  Marco sings along too.  At home, Mauricio plays it on the piano or guitar and we all sing along.  Wow, that's kinda embarrassing... too music-nerd-y.  But we love it! 

This semester, we decided to sign Marco up for Music Time.  It's like your basic Kindermusik class, only a little more foundational.  We go every Friday and Marco loves it.  He says, "We're going to Yukis Cass" (That's "Music Class" for those of you not fluent in toddler).  We sing songs, we play with shakers, jingles, glocks, claves, hoops and scarves.  We do rhythmic training, pitch development and body movement.  What's great is that I know he's learning basic technique that is foundational for becoming a musician.  What's great is that HE doesn't know any of that... all he knows is that he's having a whole lotta fun!  

Marco is a great student too! (When he pays attention).  He sings on pitch and loudly.  He can clap on rhythm and follow directions.  The only thing he wont do is sing alone into the mic.  For some reason he becomes shy at that point... which is completely out of character for him.  I had NEVER seen Marco be shy before this.  But he'll get the hang of it soon enough.  

For now, Jonas just watches the class.  Although there is a class for his age range, we are not enrolled.  I would not be able to bring Marco with me to Jonas' class, and for right now that's not an option.  So Jonas is learning by watching for now... but I'm convinced he's still learning.  Next semester they'll be able to be in the same class, so long as Jonas is walking by then.  That'll be seriously great!  I can't wait for them to play and learn music together!

If you're in Miami and interested in getting music classes for your child, it's never to late or early to start.  They have classes from birth to 8 years of age.  Visit THIS SITE for more information.  

And now I leave you with a few pictures of the class:

Looking for Libraries

One of my favorite things to do with my kids is to go to the library.  First off, they get great exposure to vocabulary, books and music.  Secondly, they are in an environment where they are instructed by someone other than me.  Third, they get to interact with other children their age and I get to interact with other mama's.  And lastly most importantly... it's FREE.

I have been taking Marco to the library since he was 2 months old, and Jonas was going as soon as he came home from the hospital.  The library system in Greenville is fantastic.  It's small enough that it stays organized and they are able to hire people who are knowledgable in their field and who really have a passion for it.  The classes are tailored for the children of that specific age group and it's always a fun time.

So far, that has not been the case here.

I have visited 2 separate libraries with 2 different classes and 2 different teachers.  But they weren't very good.  In each class, there were only about 5 parents with their children in attendance... compare this to Greenville's 20... at least!  The teachers don't seem to understand the attention span of a toddler and insist on reading book after long book without mixing a song or hand game in between.  A 2 year old can not sit through 3 books in a row!

Today's class went something like this.  The teacher had us all sitting on the floor and instead of opening up with a song or game, she immediately started instructing us (the parents) on the importance of exposing our children to large vocabulary... she spoke on this for about 5 minutes.  By minute 2, Marco had lost interest and was up running around.  Not a minute later, another boy decided to join him.  Before the teacher had completed her THESIS lecture on vocabulary, all the children were going bonkers.  And the class hadn't even begun!  Then she proceded to read THREE books IN A ROW and commentate as she went along... as if the books weren't long enough already.  While she was reading, Marco and 2 other children were running back and forth, and removing all of the books from her display.  Did she really think they were going to sit quietly for that long and actually pay attention?  They're TWO, not 4.   I mean, really... know your audience!  Then she did one fun song with movement... THANK GOD... and it brought all the children together.  And lastly she had a coloring time, which as also good.

The whole time, the teacher just seemed annoyed.  And with reason.  But it's her fault for not planning an AGE APPROPRIATE class.  So, the Miami libraries seem to be in the business of hiring children workers who don't really enjoy children... mmm, that doesn't work out too well.

So, I'm 0 for 2 right now... but I'm not giving up!  I absolutely love the library and there's gotta be at least ONE class at ONE library with ONE good teacher, right?  It's a big city and I'm determined to find it!

But on a side note, this was something I learned today that knocked my socks off.  The library has free museum passes that you can check out with your library card.  Basically, you check out the pass and it's good for 1 visit within 7 days for up to 4 people.  Children's Museum here we come!!

Banned

Today, we were officially BANNED from Bouncing Babies.

Ok, maybe banned is too dramatic of a word, but needless to say, we wont be returning.  You may have remembered that Marco officially graduated from BB in January.  But, walking down the graduation aisle did not stop us from walking through that door every week.  Hey, I had Jonas!  I could still get away with it!  I had talked to the teacher, Miss Leigh, and she said that because we had Jonas, it was ok to continue coming.  She has a real soft spot for Marco, since she's known him since he was 2 months old!

Today was our first day back in close to 2 months.  Marco just TOWERED over all the other children.  He was being as careful as a two year old knows how, but at one point he deliberately pushed another boy down... twice.  I repeatedly asked him to sit down, I had to put him on time out, I had to get up and get him... and Jonas was not getting very much attention, even though the class was for him!

So, I asked Miss Leigh to come sit and chat with me.  I asked her if it was time for us to discontinue Bouncing Babies.  And with a sad look on her face, she nodded her head.  She explained, in the nicest way, that Marco is just a rambunctious 2 year old... it's his personality... and it can be a little intimidating and even scary for the other children and mothers.  While other 2 year olds can handle it, Marco can not.  Honestly, I take no offense to it because I see it, clear as day.  And, I remember a time when I had a concern about the bigger kids hurting my little angelic and fragile baby Marco... those other children looked like Godzilla sized monsters.  Well, now I am the mother of a Monster... a Marco Monster.

As is with most everything, Jonas now gets the short end of the stick.  He's not going to be going to BB, but instead to Marco's class... Musical Jamboree for ages 2-4.  It makes me sad for Jonas, but I guess that's what happens with all 2nd (or 3rd) children.  They get dragged behind their older siblings.

C'est La Vie