Physical developement hindering confidence

[Taila]

My daughter (2yrs) can count rather high, and I discovered this by accident one day. She was sitting on the floor at her Grandma's house counting pebbles to herself and counted well into the 30's this was when she was about 20m old. Since then I have only been able to 'snoop' on her counting while she is in the garden and she doesnt notice me watching her through the window.

She doesnt have the confidence to say the words properly so when we count together she will intentionally either count wrong or not count past a certain point. When she is alone, she will make an attempt at saying the numbers but mumbles through them; it is clear enough to hear what number she is saying though.

For example, today we were discussing adding a number of objects together and she was doing well until I lined the objects up in a row and counted out 20 of them. She was happy counting with me, but the moment she realized that I could hear her counting she immediately 'forgot' how to count all together.

I didnt push the subject with her as I want her to learn only when she wants to do it and will only teach her when she shows interest. Im not one of those moms that is going to force her to do anything she doesnt really want to be doing.

My wondering on the subject though is because she shows interest in counting and adding; what can I do to help her with her confidence when pernouncing the words properly? she starts having issues saying 13, 14 & 15, then when we hit 20 she has trouble specifically with the word 'twenty'. With all the other numbers she becomes very vocal and excited to say them.

Any advice would be welcomed and appreciated. Thanks!

[Jesusgirl]

I think it's just her physical development for her age. As she grows older, she'll become more articulate and her pronunciation would get better.

The same way they understand what you say to them from a few months old but aren't able to talk back till they're better developed.

The way you can help her is to keep counting with and and emphasise on the pronunciations. You can try saying it a bit slower just so she hears it clearly.

I also noticed you said you don't want to 'teach' her except she's ready. I personally believe babies and young children are keen learners( how else do you explain someone learning a language in months!). Expose her to as many things as possible. Don't teach in the traditional sense of it but play 'educational' games with her. Point to words when reading a book to her, point to alphabets asyou sing the ABC song. Just improvise. Remember, before the age of 4/5ish, kids are mainly right brain learners- ie they learn unconsciously, they absorb things like sponge without thinking about it.

Well.... Hope this helps. I know I've written a bit but early learning is just something I'm quite passionate about!!!

[Taila]

So sorry, I wasn't clear with the teaching. What I had intended to say is that I only teach her when she is showing interest. If she isn't interested at that particular moment than I leave her to her playing.

As you said children learn and absorb so much by playing. If she is happy to play on her own whether it be educational or not, Im happy to leave her to it. When she comes to me or shows that she wants me to play with her in an educational way I am more than happy to do so.

She has a passion for learning at the moment so I am one very busy mommy! lol

The one thing I dont want is for her to be discouraged from learning because her body/mouth isn't developed enough to keep up with her. You can see her mind running at a million miles an hour and her mouth attempting the words. When she makes an effort to say them she realizes she doesnt have the full capability yet and its almost cute how she becomes shy with it.

She has always been very articulate with her words and sentences. It is only lately that she has run into a few words that she doesnt have full capability.

[chillikate]

She sounds so much like my son, who is now 4. He has always been very selective in sharing his skills.

Keep doing what you're doing. When shes ready she'll show you her full abilities. Just lots of stimulating stuff needed. Oh, and from his 3rd birthday we have had to send DS on nights away with grandparents with a childrens encyclopeadia!!

I've always knows what DS is capable of, but it has only been the last fortnight that he has "shown" the nursery staff.