Creative and abstract thinking is presenting itself in Jonathan's humour and advancement in language skills. He now takes action to creating funny situations for his amusement and is also able to create sentences and to express himself pretty well. With these skills comes also that of invention and creating new games and even invent new words. The Experts say it is typical for his age, so I can relax and enjoy the phenomenon.
Putting his shoes on upside down and laughing at himself is a sign of humour Jonathan seams to enjoy repeatedly. Pretend games like mixing salt and sugar in a cake, serving it to mommy and watching me spit it out (all pretend of source) also sends him into fits of giggles. He gets disappointed if I do not “spit” out the food (and I do not if he gets it right-like salt on salad), thus he immediately adds it the wrong ingredient to achieve the desired affect, and then laughs his head off!
Being allowed to be the assistant magician in an activity in kindergarten, also brought the bet out of the boy and the kindergarten teacher said she had never experienced Jonathan so full of laughter, as he was turned into a rabbit and other such imagination magic. Drawing abstract scribes and explaining them is also typical of recent. The interesting thing is that the scribbles of certain things are similar to previous scribbles of the same object. The connection to reality is loose but if I search for it, I can see it ( a shopping mall is a series of lines, loosely resembling the windows rows of a large building). Commentating his drawing live is the latest addition to the beloved activity. Showing me the drawing and even giving to me as a gift is usually the finishing touch, as the boy fished for compliments.
As Jonathan is exposed to two languages, he has an interesting mix of both. He uses both languages in once sentence and there a certain things and activities that are always names in one of the languages. A trip to Germany to visit my husband's family this summer has only strengthened the confusion. Aside from creating new verb forms in Hebrew, Jonathan has enlarged his vocabulary in German considerably and has even invented a new term. The trip exposed Jonathan's special liking of the vending machines, and using them received a special word “Ein Knopfen” . Ein is like “a” in German and is a prefix typical for many nouns. Knopfen is the verb form of the noun Knopf, which means button, its just that the verb Knopfen is non existent in German. But the vending machines have many a button to press... thus Jonathan has formulated a term that clearly relates to the beloved activity of buying a coke or snack in the machines.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Explanation and Problem Solving
Jonathan likes to tell himself what is going on, like commentary to watching children TV or a DVD. He also scolds me if he thinks I confused something (mommy, its a turtle, not a frog – you got it wrong/you have confused it- I admit I do not always see things the way he does). Original thinking and problem solving expresses itself repeatedly , like his coping with a renovation in our apartment.
Watching a DVD with Jonathan is always fun because he delights so much in it. He also gives live commentary. When he was little, this commentary showed itself in an imitation of the actions in the DVD (like falling on the ground when the coyote gets crushed in the road runner cartoons – Jonathan's favourite DVD for interactive television (Jane Fonda like) sport). He also sings along with the DVD's.
Recently his commentary has taken a more advanced form – he either asks questions related to the ongoing story (Why does the mouse get the cat wet? Typical Tom and Jerry question) or he explains the action (the magic egg will now fall on his foot! Boom! Bang! And he is magical... a short summary of en episode of the Smurfs). Sometimes he even answers his own questions after posing them (the mouse likes to bother the cat – Tom and Jerry again) having heard the same explanation from me to those questions a few times, he simply remembers the answers.
Jonathan also likes to explain his surroundings. Thus he announced one day that his daddy was just too big to sit on mommy's lap and he might fall and bang his head “Boom! Bang!” The sounds were made in extra enthusiasm to make sure daddy understood the danger.
Jonathan is a boy that likes his home and feels good and secure in it. After a long weekend at his grandparents, he will wish to go to “my house”, and then he shows great relief when we get home. This feeling of safety was taken away one day, when we started packing away a large book shelf that dominates our living room while preparing for a small renovation (we painted the walls after about 7 years of residence and installed a new laminated flooring).
In emptying the shelves, we changed the look and feel or the room considerably and Jonathan's reaction was to ask us where had his house gone. He was looking for it also during the days of the renovation. And even after the renovation was finished, as the house now looked different (because of the new floor, the books were back in the shelves) he still looked for it a while, and at the same time admitting the new “surprise” apartment was nice. Each time we tidied up a room after it was painted and floored, he declared that “the room is back” and enjoyed it immensely. He also enjoyed helping me pack, by bringing me books from a pile to put into the boxes.
In the stacked up living room, he solved the problem of not having his usual table accessible for his dinner, by improvising an eating space by using a chair and covering it with his place mats. Taking out all the cushions of our sofa and building a house by placing them on the side like a wall is another typical pass time, the extra bonus to this house construction is that jumping on the sofa platform is really a lot of fun... It was also fun to use one of the empty cartons as a house to hide in for a few days after the renovation. Hiding in containers is a favourite activity and Jonathan uses every opportunity. Thus when we returned from a trip abroad, he curled himself into the empty suitcase when I left the room to put the dirty laundry in the bathroom. The only way for me to know where he was, was because of the fact that the suitcase was giggling when I returned to the bedroom.
Watching a DVD with Jonathan is always fun because he delights so much in it. He also gives live commentary. When he was little, this commentary showed itself in an imitation of the actions in the DVD (like falling on the ground when the coyote gets crushed in the road runner cartoons – Jonathan's favourite DVD for interactive television (Jane Fonda like) sport). He also sings along with the DVD's.
Recently his commentary has taken a more advanced form – he either asks questions related to the ongoing story (Why does the mouse get the cat wet? Typical Tom and Jerry question) or he explains the action (the magic egg will now fall on his foot! Boom! Bang! And he is magical... a short summary of en episode of the Smurfs). Sometimes he even answers his own questions after posing them (the mouse likes to bother the cat – Tom and Jerry again) having heard the same explanation from me to those questions a few times, he simply remembers the answers.
Jonathan also likes to explain his surroundings. Thus he announced one day that his daddy was just too big to sit on mommy's lap and he might fall and bang his head “Boom! Bang!” The sounds were made in extra enthusiasm to make sure daddy understood the danger.
Jonathan is a boy that likes his home and feels good and secure in it. After a long weekend at his grandparents, he will wish to go to “my house”, and then he shows great relief when we get home. This feeling of safety was taken away one day, when we started packing away a large book shelf that dominates our living room while preparing for a small renovation (we painted the walls after about 7 years of residence and installed a new laminated flooring).
In emptying the shelves, we changed the look and feel or the room considerably and Jonathan's reaction was to ask us where had his house gone. He was looking for it also during the days of the renovation. And even after the renovation was finished, as the house now looked different (because of the new floor, the books were back in the shelves) he still looked for it a while, and at the same time admitting the new “surprise” apartment was nice. Each time we tidied up a room after it was painted and floored, he declared that “the room is back” and enjoyed it immensely. He also enjoyed helping me pack, by bringing me books from a pile to put into the boxes.
In the stacked up living room, he solved the problem of not having his usual table accessible for his dinner, by improvising an eating space by using a chair and covering it with his place mats. Taking out all the cushions of our sofa and building a house by placing them on the side like a wall is another typical pass time, the extra bonus to this house construction is that jumping on the sofa platform is really a lot of fun... It was also fun to use one of the empty cartons as a house to hide in for a few days after the renovation. Hiding in containers is a favourite activity and Jonathan uses every opportunity. Thus when we returned from a trip abroad, he curled himself into the empty suitcase when I left the room to put the dirty laundry in the bathroom. The only way for me to know where he was, was because of the fact that the suitcase was giggling when I returned to the bedroom.
Bonuses and helping out.
Jonathan is showing an understanding of concepts. Like that of being a good boy and helping out. And of course the concept of reward. He is also an attentive child and likes to help out.
We were walking to kindergarten one morning and he explained to me that he is being a good boy, all grown up and well behaved. Thus he demanded a reward for his behaviour in the shape of a chocolate drink to be purchased across the street from the kindergarten.
As this habit started but a month before the summer holiday (and we are due to enter a new kindergarten) I saw no point in fighting him but rather a chance to strengthen his understanding of the reward. Thus he enjoyed many a chocolate drink bonuses in the following month, until the summer holiday. His latest reward was being taken to the zoo, after being a good boy and going to the new kindergarten without making trouble for two days straight - he even admitted having fun on the second day! I was very glad to hear it.
One afternoon as I was resting, my mother spent time with Jonathan in the TV room. She also was tires and so she decided to lay down next to the boy. Jonathan noticed it and brought her a blanket and covered her. He likes to help out and always asks if he can help. He always tries to help, thus trying to help me carry things (like our shopping bag from the supermarket, or a heavy box – then I have to tell him not to help...so he will not get hurt). Grabbing the broom and sweeping or the mop for washing the floor is typical. He likes to bring his own juice to the living room and even to prepare it himself. We try to encourage this helping and independence tendencies – but I must admit it is sometimes a trail to my patience as it can create a big mess (e.g. juice syrup all over the kitchen) or it forces me to have to wait until he gets things done, which could go a lot faster if I helped him out. I do my best to be patient. Jonathan usually asks for my assistance when he gives up working on a task alone. He wails his failure by complaining about his lack of success (mommy, I have not succeeded, is a typical wail/cry out for help).
We were walking to kindergarten one morning and he explained to me that he is being a good boy, all grown up and well behaved. Thus he demanded a reward for his behaviour in the shape of a chocolate drink to be purchased across the street from the kindergarten.
As this habit started but a month before the summer holiday (and we are due to enter a new kindergarten) I saw no point in fighting him but rather a chance to strengthen his understanding of the reward. Thus he enjoyed many a chocolate drink bonuses in the following month, until the summer holiday. His latest reward was being taken to the zoo, after being a good boy and going to the new kindergarten without making trouble for two days straight - he even admitted having fun on the second day! I was very glad to hear it.
One afternoon as I was resting, my mother spent time with Jonathan in the TV room. She also was tires and so she decided to lay down next to the boy. Jonathan noticed it and brought her a blanket and covered her. He likes to help out and always asks if he can help. He always tries to help, thus trying to help me carry things (like our shopping bag from the supermarket, or a heavy box – then I have to tell him not to help...so he will not get hurt). Grabbing the broom and sweeping or the mop for washing the floor is typical. He likes to bring his own juice to the living room and even to prepare it himself. We try to encourage this helping and independence tendencies – but I must admit it is sometimes a trail to my patience as it can create a big mess (e.g. juice syrup all over the kitchen) or it forces me to have to wait until he gets things done, which could go a lot faster if I helped him out. I do my best to be patient. Jonathan usually asks for my assistance when he gives up working on a task alone. He wails his failure by complaining about his lack of success (mommy, I have not succeeded, is a typical wail/cry out for help).
Creativity
Jonathan continues to show progress in imagination games and creative solutions. His love of snowstorms is only increased by the success of the flour generated storm, so much that he decided to also have a storm during a drive to his grandma – in the car – the solution-handkerchiefs.
We were driving to my parents' house, about an hour drive and I gave Jonathan a tissue to blow his nose (he does that alone very successfully, as well as wiping his behind after the toilet) and after he was done, he tore it up to little pieces and started throwing them about – creating a snow storm. We stopped to relieve ourselves and I used the opportunity to clean the car. Now Jonathan had no more pieces for his storm – so he pretended to sneeze; the clever little tyke, the idea being that I once more give him more tissues.
It did not work, but it became clear to me that he needed entertainment. So we spend the rest of the ride paying with riddles and imagination and guessing games. What animal is brown and roars (a bear), what color does a water melon have (red) and we also sang his favourite songs.
It is becoming possible to keep Jonathan busy without toys or play things, but it is hard work, I must admit. After the drive was over, I was drained out.
At my parents' Jonathan continued to show creative ideas, he cut a paper into strips and declared that he has made a piano, and I was invited to play along with him. He also helped his grandma baking but this time I did not allow him to create a flour snow storm and thus the mess was somewhat reduced.
We were driving to my parents' house, about an hour drive and I gave Jonathan a tissue to blow his nose (he does that alone very successfully, as well as wiping his behind after the toilet) and after he was done, he tore it up to little pieces and started throwing them about – creating a snow storm. We stopped to relieve ourselves and I used the opportunity to clean the car. Now Jonathan had no more pieces for his storm – so he pretended to sneeze; the clever little tyke, the idea being that I once more give him more tissues.
It did not work, but it became clear to me that he needed entertainment. So we spend the rest of the ride paying with riddles and imagination and guessing games. What animal is brown and roars (a bear), what color does a water melon have (red) and we also sang his favourite songs.
It is becoming possible to keep Jonathan busy without toys or play things, but it is hard work, I must admit. After the drive was over, I was drained out.
At my parents' Jonathan continued to show creative ideas, he cut a paper into strips and declared that he has made a piano, and I was invited to play along with him. He also helped his grandma baking but this time I did not allow him to create a flour snow storm and thus the mess was somewhat reduced.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The speed of progress
Jonathan is exposed to so many triggers, that it is surprising that he can grasp them all. His DVD's are an endless source of surprising information and have recently helped unearth his talent for languages.
Jonathan has a good ear, just like his mom a talent for sounds and melody is also turned into a talent for languages. Despite the fact that Jonathan suffered from a delay in speech, it was clear that he distinguishes languages. Recently, after watching a DVD of “letters form Felix the hare” Jonathan has focused on the English-like accent of characters that come from the USA or Australia and the UK. He thus roles his R's and proclaims by such “English sounding” rolling R dominated gibberish to speak “English” and he wants me to repeat his new found words and to speak English with him...
I find this especially endearing, as I have clear memories of myself playing a similar game with my twin sister when we are about 4 or 5 years old. We imitated the American mother of one of the children form our kindergarten - rolling our R's and making gibberish sounds (or was she south African? I do not really remember, but the last time I saw her was in South Africa when I was about 10 – and by then I could speak English fluently).
My mother says that Jonathan repeats many of my quirks as a child. M
Jonathan has a good ear, just like his mom a talent for sounds and melody is also turned into a talent for languages. Despite the fact that Jonathan suffered from a delay in speech, it was clear that he distinguishes languages. Recently, after watching a DVD of “letters form Felix the hare” Jonathan has focused on the English-like accent of characters that come from the USA or Australia and the UK. He thus roles his R's and proclaims by such “English sounding” rolling R dominated gibberish to speak “English” and he wants me to repeat his new found words and to speak English with him...
I find this especially endearing, as I have clear memories of myself playing a similar game with my twin sister when we are about 4 or 5 years old. We imitated the American mother of one of the children form our kindergarten - rolling our R's and making gibberish sounds (or was she south African? I do not really remember, but the last time I saw her was in South Africa when I was about 10 – and by then I could speak English fluently).
My mother says that Jonathan repeats many of my quirks as a child. M
A shock! And healing magic
A week ago Jonathan fell off his fathers bicycle. As a result he received some bruises to the face. I believe my husband was consumed with guilt and shock during the event but as it turned out the boy looked a lot worse than he really was and now, just a week after the event, there are no signs of it.
I was not there, so I do not know exactly how Jonathan fell, but he bruised his face. My husband had managed to get the wounds cleaned in a nearby cafe and to put some ice on Jonathan's face before bringing him home. Then he calmed the boy (and himself) by treating Jonathan to an ice. Sugar is indeed a great calmer of childly nerves.
When I got home I got home about 30 minuted later, it was obvious Jonathan had suffered only surface wounds and was in need of my maternal attention. As soon as he saw me, Jonathan felt the urge to cry once more, as he recalled the experience, explaining to me that he had had a fall. I cleaned the wounds and put some Polidine disinfectant on them and then , more for placebo effect and to calm Jonathan down, I placed some plasters on his scratches. One particular scratch was located just under his nose and Jonathan found it extremely funny that if he had a running nose (which he did, as he was still crying) he would have a messy plaster...thus the boy was trapped between laughter and tears.
Seeing that the boy was not really seriously hurt. I took him out to the playground and we had burgers for supper – a fun evening to turn his attention from his unpleasant afternoon. He continued to behave normally the nest day, but his face got swollen – so I made a doctors appointment for him. This appointed resulted in ointment for his wounds and antibiotics – regular treatment to prevent further infection. Its been 5 days since the fall and the medicine has worked marvellously – there hardly any signs of the old bruises. I believe when the week is out Jonathan will be completely healed. The real magic is the boys ability to heal fast – its took just half a day from the first administration of treatment and the beginning of clear recovery signs – the swelling was gone and the scratches began to retreat in less than 6 hours after I returned from the doctors office. 12 hours and a good night's sleep later and Jonathan eye was not longer affected. Today, the is no longer any dry scratches, just new skin.
Its amazing what young cells can do and how marvellous the human body is.
Jonathan gets extra points for being a real tough cookie. As always, when he is unwell, he is never troublesome. With the exception of the day of the fall in which he cried (and rightly so, I am sure he was frightened and it also hurt) he has been a real angel and has cooperated with his treatment – reminding me diligently each time not to put the ointment in a way that will “disturb” his eye (as is”into” his eye). He submitted to washing his face regularly twice a day and to ointment administration and medicine swallowing without a complaint! My boy! I am just so proud! He really is a big boy! As he so often reminds me.
I was not there, so I do not know exactly how Jonathan fell, but he bruised his face. My husband had managed to get the wounds cleaned in a nearby cafe and to put some ice on Jonathan's face before bringing him home. Then he calmed the boy (and himself) by treating Jonathan to an ice. Sugar is indeed a great calmer of childly nerves.
When I got home I got home about 30 minuted later, it was obvious Jonathan had suffered only surface wounds and was in need of my maternal attention. As soon as he saw me, Jonathan felt the urge to cry once more, as he recalled the experience, explaining to me that he had had a fall. I cleaned the wounds and put some Polidine disinfectant on them and then , more for placebo effect and to calm Jonathan down, I placed some plasters on his scratches. One particular scratch was located just under his nose and Jonathan found it extremely funny that if he had a running nose (which he did, as he was still crying) he would have a messy plaster...thus the boy was trapped between laughter and tears.
Seeing that the boy was not really seriously hurt. I took him out to the playground and we had burgers for supper – a fun evening to turn his attention from his unpleasant afternoon. He continued to behave normally the nest day, but his face got swollen – so I made a doctors appointment for him. This appointed resulted in ointment for his wounds and antibiotics – regular treatment to prevent further infection. Its been 5 days since the fall and the medicine has worked marvellously – there hardly any signs of the old bruises. I believe when the week is out Jonathan will be completely healed. The real magic is the boys ability to heal fast – its took just half a day from the first administration of treatment and the beginning of clear recovery signs – the swelling was gone and the scratches began to retreat in less than 6 hours after I returned from the doctors office. 12 hours and a good night's sleep later and Jonathan eye was not longer affected. Today, the is no longer any dry scratches, just new skin.
Its amazing what young cells can do and how marvellous the human body is.
Jonathan gets extra points for being a real tough cookie. As always, when he is unwell, he is never troublesome. With the exception of the day of the fall in which he cried (and rightly so, I am sure he was frightened and it also hurt) he has been a real angel and has cooperated with his treatment – reminding me diligently each time not to put the ointment in a way that will “disturb” his eye (as is”into” his eye). He submitted to washing his face regularly twice a day and to ointment administration and medicine swallowing without a complaint! My boy! I am just so proud! He really is a big boy! As he so often reminds me.
DYI-Do it yourself
do it yourself is not just a fashion supported by Ikea sprouting new branches everywhere, it is a staple in every toddlers arsenal of “I am all grown now”. At the age of 3.5 years, Jonathan is clearly in the “why” stage. Everything must be questioned, every trigger reacted upon and every task performed independently.
The words “I can do it!” or “Me alone!” or “by myself!” are probably the phrases I hear most often in recent weeks. Jonathan has declared that he is a bog boy and that he can do everything himself. This results in many frustrating moments. First he is frustrated if I try to help or do something for him, then he tried it alone and gets frustrated and wails if it does not work out. Regardless, Jonathan is indeed becoming more adept in conducting daily tasks.
He wants me to watch as he gets dressed and he can indeed dress alone, which the exception of putting on his socks and his shoes. He manages his “Spider man” “Crocks” sandals however very well.
He wants to pour his own soft drink and usually gets the job done neatly without too much spilling. In fact the only serious spilling occurs if I try to help...
Cutting his food is the next challenge (he is only allowed to cut soft foods with a spreading butter knife). Spreading chocolate on his sliced bread is a task already conquered.
He likes to think that he knows and that he can help. But when it does not suit him to do so, its always nice to be able to lean on mommy again. Thus when he was tired the other day after returning from the playground (mommy watch me climb...yaaaa....uuuhhh.... do not fall...be careful sweety) on a warm afternoon, it was cool to ride piggyback on mommy (the only way I can still carry him – he weighs almost 20 Kgs). “Only you” is a phrase I have also heard often enough recently, and it signals Jonathan return to toddler-hood and dependence on my assistance. It is mostly used for tasks he does not are to complete (like tidying up his toys, or putting his shoes in their place).
The compromise between “me alone”and “only you” is probably “its difficult for me” - this declaration signals that he is trying to complete a task but not getting it right – thus asking for my help at the last minute. “Its difficult for me” has become music to my ears – ah, he still needs me after all! I wonder already when he will cease to need my help, and he is just 3.5 years old! Life is so shirt and he is growing up sooo fast – what will I think when he is a teenager and no longer gives me the time of day? Another favourite of mine is “together” - wanting to do something together with me, such bliss!
Just the other day, Jonathan saw a self made video of me singing. Seeing me on the computer screen caught his attention and he requested to see mommy again and again on the screen. By the time his enthusiasm reduced, he already got the tune of the recorded song and yesterday he asked me to sing it for him and then “together” - he wanted to sing it with me. I naturally complied! The boy id a musical prodigy! He sang long before he could talk and his love of music has not dyed down now that he is able to express himself in speech. He loves to sing together with me and we usually sing children's songs and stuff from his DVD's – but this time he wanted the song from the Video, which is a traditional Hebrew text and not created for children – Ah! My heart rejoiced a the request There is hope for the INTERNET generation to which my son belongs – they will be connoisseurs of culture yet! As long as mommy can sing it right!
The words “I can do it!” or “Me alone!” or “by myself!” are probably the phrases I hear most often in recent weeks. Jonathan has declared that he is a bog boy and that he can do everything himself. This results in many frustrating moments. First he is frustrated if I try to help or do something for him, then he tried it alone and gets frustrated and wails if it does not work out. Regardless, Jonathan is indeed becoming more adept in conducting daily tasks.
He wants me to watch as he gets dressed and he can indeed dress alone, which the exception of putting on his socks and his shoes. He manages his “Spider man” “Crocks” sandals however very well.
He wants to pour his own soft drink and usually gets the job done neatly without too much spilling. In fact the only serious spilling occurs if I try to help...
Cutting his food is the next challenge (he is only allowed to cut soft foods with a spreading butter knife). Spreading chocolate on his sliced bread is a task already conquered.
He likes to think that he knows and that he can help. But when it does not suit him to do so, its always nice to be able to lean on mommy again. Thus when he was tired the other day after returning from the playground (mommy watch me climb...yaaaa....uuuhhh.... do not fall...be careful sweety) on a warm afternoon, it was cool to ride piggyback on mommy (the only way I can still carry him – he weighs almost 20 Kgs). “Only you” is a phrase I have also heard often enough recently, and it signals Jonathan return to toddler-hood and dependence on my assistance. It is mostly used for tasks he does not are to complete (like tidying up his toys, or putting his shoes in their place).
The compromise between “me alone”and “only you” is probably “its difficult for me” - this declaration signals that he is trying to complete a task but not getting it right – thus asking for my help at the last minute. “Its difficult for me” has become music to my ears – ah, he still needs me after all! I wonder already when he will cease to need my help, and he is just 3.5 years old! Life is so shirt and he is growing up sooo fast – what will I think when he is a teenager and no longer gives me the time of day? Another favourite of mine is “together” - wanting to do something together with me, such bliss!
Just the other day, Jonathan saw a self made video of me singing. Seeing me on the computer screen caught his attention and he requested to see mommy again and again on the screen. By the time his enthusiasm reduced, he already got the tune of the recorded song and yesterday he asked me to sing it for him and then “together” - he wanted to sing it with me. I naturally complied! The boy id a musical prodigy! He sang long before he could talk and his love of music has not dyed down now that he is able to express himself in speech. He loves to sing together with me and we usually sing children's songs and stuff from his DVD's – but this time he wanted the song from the Video, which is a traditional Hebrew text and not created for children – Ah! My heart rejoiced a the request There is hope for the INTERNET generation to which my son belongs – they will be connoisseurs of culture yet! As long as mommy can sing it right!
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