Fell into the trap

I can't believe that it has been so long since I have written. So much has been going on and I have been trying to think of a way that I can use this wonderful tool to be more than just fun for my family and friends. Over that past several months I have come across many blogs that have been so helpful to me while I continue to figure out ways to help me be the best mommy for Landon that I can be. I have always felt that it is my duty to encourage and push Landon to do all that he can, to expose him to everything that every other 3 year old would see and do, and love him no matter what.

School was great for him this year and he loved going but I feel that I really let him down by not continuing to work with him as much as I use to. I think I fell into the trap of thinking that he was going to school therefore he was learning everything he needed. That is not to say that we didn't work with him, but I wasn't as consistent as I had been. When the school year was over and I looked back at where he was and where he is now, I saw things that made me happy and things that made me sad.

The things that made me happy: (1) Landon loved his teachers and I think they loved him too. (2) He worked hard on his physical, and occupational therapy goals. He really made some great progress in these area. (2) He made some friends. Each time I said something about school he would say, "Aidan", which was a little boy in his class. (3) He became more of a participant instead of a observer.
The things that made me sad: (1) Landon's speech did not go as I thought it should have. That is nothing against anyone, just that I think he needs more one-on-one. So....to fix this we are working on getting private speech for him. (2) His sight word's have not been worked on therefore he is starting to lose them and is not gaining any new ones. (3) He didn't really improve on math skills such as counting or identifying numbers (4) He still doesn't know his colors very well.

Now why am I saying all of this? It's not because I think the school didn't their job.....It's that I don't think I did mine. I shouldn't depend on the school to teach Landon what I know I can teach him, not at this point at least. When he gets into Kindergarten I will expect more but right now the schools main job, in my opinion, is to work on how to play with others, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. The therapy time he gets at school is not enough so I do need the therapist to work with me on what to do at home so that he can continue to improve and for the most part most of them did well with keeping me up on what they were working on.

I have said all of that to say this....My lack of "teaching" is going to change. During the past couple of months I have been working on a list of goals that I want Landon and I to work on. I am in the process of creating my own "curriculum" , for a lack of a better word. I hope to use this blog to help other parents see what their child CAN do. I have found that if you make the right labels, when parents are looking for ideas blogs will come up on their search. We will see how this goes.

He are the goals I have written so far for Landon. These goals will and should change as we work. This list is just a start. As I do more research I will add to this list. He is already close to reaching some of the goals already such as putting his pants on. That goes to show you that with just a little work Landon can reach the stars!!

Landon's Goals 2010-2011

Math

• count 1-10
• identify numerals 1-10
• count groups of items 1-5
• identify shapes: circle, square, triangle, heart, star, rectangle, diamond
• identify colors: red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, pink, white, black, brown
• order shapes by size: large to small; small to large

Reading

• read number words 1-10
• read color words
• read shape words
• read basic word families (-at, -ar, -ig, etc.)
• read short simple sentences (3-4 words)
• capital/lowercase match

Language-Verbal

• yes
• no
• please
• out
• help
• on
• drink
• one-ten
• A-Z

• two word phrases
• repeat words
• attempt to say words when reading

Language-Receptive

• big/little
• on/under
• in front/behind
• on/off
• right/left
• first/middle/last
• sequencing

Fine Motor-clothing

• take pants off
• put pants on
• put shirt on
• take shirt off

• put socks on
• take off shoes
• put jacket on (flip method)
• button large buttons

Fine Motor

· snip paper

· lacing cards

· work large floor puzzles (with assistance)

· open jar lid

· turn key in lock

Fine Motor-Prewriting

• draw horizontal lines
• draw vertical lines
• draw "circle"
• trace lines

Home Life

• put bag in trash can and put can under sink (with supervision)
• put plates, cups, and silverware on table for dinner
• pick up toys
• pour liquid from pitcher to cup
• follow "schedule" chart