little teacher

Madeleine has a few things she wants to be in life - I believe at this time her desires are either:  artist, writer, ballerina/dancer, actress or teacher.

She has the love of each and talent in each area, and as she is only 8 (almost 9 next month!) - she really has plenty of time to decide!  However, I had to share my favorite experiences with her during the past two days where I have called her my little teacher for the incredibly way her bright mind worked in two teaching moments with Jacob.

First was Monday night - I was helping Bryson Jr. get finished for bed, so I had Madeleine lay down and read to Jacob.  She has down this for me regularly and I love that it gives them some special time together...while also getting in reading for each one!  I came in at the end of the book she was reading - it had been a book on counting, and she turned to the back pages where it listed the numbers from 1 - 10 repeated on 4 different lines on both sides of the page/back cover.  She started to count with Jacob starting at 1 and then when they got to 10, she had them count backwards.  I was happy - but she didn't stop there!  She then started to point to any number on the page and ask Jacob what it was - seeing that he knew the numbers out of order, instead of just going up the ladder and doing rote memorization, but really testing his skills.

After they were finished, she came out from his bunk bed and I gave her praise and told her that was a fabulous way to work with Jacob on his numbers to be sure he knew them.  She beamed and gave me a hug  and then went up to her loft bed to read her own book.  As I sat down to read with Jacob, I was still amazed and happy with Madeleine's display of creativity in working with Jacob.  This reading together was even better than I had planned on!

Last night (Tuesday), we ran into a similar situation at bed time.  I needed to work with Bryson Jr. on the piano, so I had Madeleine start reading through the pile of books on Jacob's bed.  When I finally came into the room, they had just started reading the final book.  "Here mom, this is where I'm reading to him.  Oh, and just a suggestion for you on something you should do so that Jacob likes the book more.  There are 2 raccoons in the book, so I named one Bryson and one Jacob - he really likes hearing his and Bryson's name in the story."

And with that, she was climbing up her ladder.  I looked after her in even more amazement than the night before.  How did she know to do these things?!  I know they are doing a lot of higher level thinking and reasoning with their reading in school, but would this fit under that category?  Did she just know to change the names around, because she noticed Jacob's attention was drifting....or that she just knew that he'd love to hear his name in a book?!  I was completely in awe of her!

As I snuggled in with Jacob and we started to read again 'A Pocket Full of Kisses' {same author as The Kissing Hand} - and I realized how perfect this book was for my boys.  A story of learning that a mom's love is not limited to one child - and that to share means that love is spread.

I need to learn from my daughter more often.  What a treasure she is - and how lucky are we are to have her in our family.

Love you Mademoiselle Madeleine!
xoxoxo
Mom