As I am well aware that there are many lessons, better learned in a structured, textbook, classroom setting, I am truly intrigued by a child's capacity to learn, by way of their own curiousity, through playing, observing others, and following their passions.
Penny (two and a half) recently exhibited an understanding of number sequencing, all the way to 100, while playing hide and seek. Uncle T would say "80.." and she would continue with, "81,82, 83.." and so on. Her desire to keep up with the big kids in a competitive game of hide and seek drove her to solve that counting riddle in her head ("when I go from 79 to 80, what do I do next? Oh, I start over with the 1 through 9!"). I remember this concept seemed really abstract to Kaia and Gabby, when they would practice writing to one hundred at school and for homework. They didn't understand the point. For Penny, there was an objective that made the process more real. The worksheets eventually get them there, although for some kids, like Pen, real life can be a much more meaningful and efficient avenue. Kids can learn things without being spoonfed the information. They are such interesting creatures!
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