Learning

I thought I would post an update on some of the new things Alana is learning. Her English is still coming along very well. She understands so much and can express simple words and ideas. She is not yet able to speak in complex sentences or tell a story. She tries, but it all comes out as gibberish.

I tried a reading program with her a while back, and although she enjoyed it, she wasn't able to remember which letters made which sounds (they start with two sounds and every few days add a new sound). So, we stopped and I just made some flash cards for her which she carried around in her purse. She loved to go over the flashcards again and again. She also wanted me to put her finger under each word when I was reading her a story. I decided to start up the reading program again last week since she has mastered all the sounds and is starting to learn her colors and shapes. She really enjoys it and hounds me to do her lessons.

There is also a writing component to the reading program which was initially very hard for her. However, she has made great progress in writing recently and this morning she wrote her first word! She writes her m's quite well and this morning she wanted me to wrote mommy, daddy, Collin, Alana and Dylan on the doodle pad. I did that, but pointed out to her that she is quite capable of writing mom. Sure enough, she took off and came back with mom on her doodle pad!