A new week begins. We will start a more systematic approach to letter recogintion and letter sounds this week.  Noah and I have been working on this skill for about ever in a very relaxed and fun way. He has foam letters he plays with in the bathtub.  We sing the ABC song a lot and I made up a song for letter sounds.  When we are out and about or even around the house I point out letters that are in his every day world.  He has picked up a LOT by doing these kinds of activities.

In the third month of HOH 2 year old curriculum you start studying a letter a week.  I have a lot of mixed feelings about this.  My own education and experience has taught me that some times kids need a day for a letter, other times they need a month!  I also know that teaching letters and letter sounds in ABC order is not the most appropriate method.  There is a lot of research that backs up teaching them out of order.  For example, teaching b and d too closely together can cause confusion for little ones.

BUT, since my goal isn't exactly totaly memorization of all the letters and their sounds I decided to follow the curriuculum and teach them in order.  I'm still really just trying to wet his palette I guess.  Give him an idea and let him run with it.  We'll see what he takes in and what he doesn't.  Then when he is 3 or 4 I'll probably follow my own plan that is more research based.

On another note, after laying a bit low last week and putting away some of my supplemental activities I found we are both much more refreshed this week.  Today Noah was eager to do some of our folder games and writing activities.  He was eager for the stories and such as well. And I was too.  We'll probably follow that pattern... a few weeks gung ho and then a week that is more laid back.  It just might work for us!