It’s been months since we went to Pierce to hike or visit the farm animals. The look on Clooney’s face was so sad when we left him behind but took the jogger. He got a great run and walk the day before so he’s ok.
We spent almost three hours walking to the barn and then meandering through the campus back home. I don’t like to rush these visits. I want P to feel free to explore. On the way to the sheep pen, P found a ladybug. This took up a good chunk of time which is what should happen….a diverted adventure. I love to watch her engrossed in the simplest things. This bonding with nature brings out good self esteem. The lady bug walking on P’s hand made her excited because “she likes me”. You and I know that ladybugs will walk on anyone’s hand but to her the ladybug thinks she’s special. I love that!
P learned left and right on this adventure. She was walking ahead of me and I told her to turn right. She paused, and looked back at me with a confused face. I asked her if she wanted to know left and right, she did. So, without touching her, because I wanted it to connect in her brain without my stimulus, I asked her to lift her right hand. She lifted the left. I told her that was left. She lifted the other one and bingo. She got it. Left foot, right foot. She knows left and right on her body. Not on someone else’s. It’s one step forward.
A curious thing lately. P can count to about 17…and gets to 20 but with flip flopping of numbers 17-19. However, lately she is getting the concept of each number’s value. It’s the difference between repeating words and understand the meaning behind them. I am engrossed in watching these stepping stones of learning and brain development. I am also grateful to have the kind of schedule that permits me to observe these tiny yet great developments in my daughter.
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