She's actually fairly good at maths, given she's a preschooler. She can count to 100, knows times tables up to about 5 (she taught herself that, using a lift the flap book her brother had) and she can do basic arithmetic. She enjoys drawing, too. It's not as startling as her reading, but she's doing okay, and mildly ahead of expectations, in all other areas. The only gap is writing - she can do her name, more or less, but that's all she is interested in - but as she loves drawing, bead-threading, playdoh etc that's not any sort of issue that I can see. Most of the world think we teach writing too soon, anyway. She's got years ahead for that. I'm happy to let it all be led by her.
She's normal in most ways really. A little ahead, but nothing very dramatic. And she's so small and they learn at fits and starts at that age, so who knows if she's going to be ahead at all in a few years, and really, does it matter? I'm keen to feed her interests, but that's about it. I think it needs to come from her, not us, for it to have value.
She loves science. Loves the Curious Pearl, Science Girl books. Adores Maddie from Do You Know? and has been to several of her live shows. We do some early years kits with her, which she loves. But she's just not got the conceptual grasp her brother did at this age, and again, that's fine. I do also think it's very easy to assume learning has to be formal information and facts - that they're little vessels, there to be filled. The way I see it this age, everything's learning. Almost the whole world is new to them, and so many experiences are as well. They learn as much baking pretzels, with yeast being fed, and ingredients weighed, and then shaping and then melting butter and cinnamon, and discussing the history of spices, as they will from a longer book. More, in many ways, as it's so hands on and sensory. I do really think that reading should be about joy - at all ages, partly, but at her age solely. We give her a lot of options (the Wonder series someone mentioned below sounds perfect, thank you) and then she can choose what interests her. Really I was hoping for what you've all given me, which is recommendations to expand the options I can provide. They'll remain options, and she can follow her own interests. And I do have to say, as a mum with a child who has limited imagination, that there's a risk in assuming the only learning is in facts. Emotional learning is equally valuable, and the imaginative fuel for that in novels is equally important, to me.
She's enjoying life, and I am mostly keen to ensure her sensory experiences and social life isn't harmed by her brother's restrictions, really. Lots of dolls, train sets, lego and representative play are my priorities for someone this small. Her love of books is wonderful, and I'm absolutely hoping to provide enough to keep that interest going, but I'm also aware that there should be a balance. Life is going to make a lot of demands on her, as she grows up, as it does upon us all. I want her early years to be ones that build her confidence and sense that the world is joyful, really, and right now books are integral to that for her.
Again, thank you all for the understanding, interest and suggestions. They are invaluable.