Suzi playing, learning

She does love the magnets. She found them on our fridge, gasped, and immediately began rearranging, sorting, and trying to spell words. Suzi has already learned so much just through play. She knows her colors and shapes and can count to ten. She knows some letters, too, and has an excellent vocabulary. No one has forced her to learn or memorize anything. (I can only imagine how well that would work with a two-year-old, anyway!) What she has learned has been picked up through interaction with others, teachable moments during play, and reading books. When I was working, Suzi spent time with an experienced former kindergarten teacher (my mom). She taught in public school for nearly her whole career and had a deep respect for open-ended play. I have frequently heard her say "children learn through play!" We were talking yesterday and she agreed that by the time Suzi is old enough to start kindergarten, she will probably already know most of what they are going to teach. This boosts my confidence that when the time comes I will be able to homeschool her, and that it will be the best choice for her.

According to Suzi, the letters were animals of some kind, which is why she has them arranged this way. Gotta love her imagination.

Just as we are appreciating the value of play, our president wants kids to spend even more time being drilled in a classroom. I have lots to say, but I will save it for another post. Baby Ivey is calling.