Learning From A Child's Faith

Recently, I have noticed that whenever I was in pain (like a few weeks ago when the wok lid hit and bruised my toe), or emotionally down (like when I heard a friend passed away last week), JJ would ask, “Mommy, are you ok?” And as soon as I described my situation, JJ would disappear from the scene for a good minute or so before coming back to me with tissues. 

 I was very curious what she was up to that I followed her one morning after telling her that I had twisted my wrist.  Like always, she ran away.  Then I found her kneeling down, sandwiched her face in her little hands, lowering her head in her room praying.  

When she was done praying, our eyes met.  She asked the same questions she’s always asked, “Mommy, are you better now?”  I rotated my wrist, remembering how she had cast her care on Jesus through prayer, I smiled and nodded my head.  My wrist was hurting less and my heart was warmed by her pure faith.  With a beaming smile, she answered me, “Of course you are better!  I have prayed for you.”

JJ has reminded me of the passage in Matthew 18:3, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” 

JJ’s trust for the Lord is so honest and pure. She firmly believes that God answers prayers.  She has demonstrated to me what faith looks like.  Pray and believe that God has heard it and wait patiently for His work to be accomplished.    

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JJ's 2nd Abacus Lesson--Free Download/Printable

You could download and print the Number to Beads Worksheethere.

 

You could download and print the Beads To Number Worksheet here.

 

Funny that while I was working on those worksheets, JJ was busy reproducing her version of the abacus blank worksheet.  Well done, baby.

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Eye Candy from Flea Market

Went to the flea market close to noon.  F spotted this little purse. I loved the personality and the bead work.  I was just admiring it, without the intention of buying it.  Then, F asked, "you like it, mom?"  Her voice invited the owner to come over and give us a discount.  Before I knew it, F paid the $3 and handed me the purse.  
Now, the purse sits in my craft room.  The more I look at it, the more it has grown on me.  Thanks, girl.  I like what you got for me.

What it looks like inside.

Love the hook closure, too.

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JJ's 1st Abacus Lesson

I was surprised to hear Z said that learning abacus years ago had helped him with visualizing numbers in his head.  His comments motivated me to get JJ started learning abacus.

The 1^st lesson was to learn how to hold the abacus and pen, the basic movement of beads, and to notate the beads.  I drew 10 squares in a row to have JJ notate 1-10 as she moved the beads one number at a time.

At the end of the lesson, this is what she had.  Good job, JJ!

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Free Printable--JJ's Reading Game

  I have been encouraging JJ to read.  When reading a small booklet was no longer interesting for her, I thought of incorporating one of her favorite game, Candy Land, into the mix.  

I created a list of words with step points next to each word.  The three letter words move 1 step, digraphs move 2-3 steps, blends+digraphs move 4 steps...etc.  Download and print the words here.

After printing out the sheets of words, I asked JJ to cut along the lines.  A perfect chance to practice her motor skills.  She put the word slips into a snack size ziplock bag, ready to use in a game.

 Using the concept of Candy Land, instead of flipping the colored cards, we used these word slips.  If she could read each one correctly, she gets to move forward however many steps as the step points indicated.  Being her competitor, I gave her all the challenging words (that are worth 2 points and more) to read while I stick with the one point words.  The rule is to have her sound out the word by herself to get points.  Whenever she needs my help, she'd get only 1 point.  
After playing it once, I quickly realized that I underestimated her ability.  She was able to read all words without my help and beat me at the game.  At the end, she loved the game so much that she thought reading was fun.
You could print out these word slips  here.

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Building Reading Skills--Label That Page

I need to get creative at inviting JJ to read.  So, when I received the latest catalog in the mail, I asked JJ to name whatever she saw on the front page.  As she named each item/person, I wrote that word on a slip of paper, sounding out each letter as I wrote and had JJ glue the word in place.  When she thought she had the page all covered, I asked her to READ them for me.  She thought it was so easy that she read them more than twice.  ;)

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Building Reading Skill--Matching Game

JJ has a box that was passed down from Z and F.  Inside, there are Chinese red envelopes.

   Nope, it is not Chinese New Year.  And those Chinese red envelopes do not have money in them.  Sorry for the disappointment...

Each envelope is marked with a letter (upper case and lower case).

 Open up the letter H envelope and find slips of paper.  

Spread the pictures on the table.  Line up the word slips in a row.

(the vowels are in red, digraphs are underlined) 

Say the name of each picture.  Sound out each word slip.  Then, have the child read the word slip and match the correct picture.

 The control is that there will be the same number of pictures and word slips.

JJ loves word matching game. 

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Donut Keychains

My baby, F, is going on her science camp next week.  Besides sending her off with letters, one for each day of the camp, I made her this donut keychain to keep her company during her 5 mile hike.  I love you and will be praying for you, baby.  Have a blessed time!

Of course, I made another one for JJ who will be sleeping without her big sister for a few days.

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