Love & Learning

This is the first commercial reading program that we used with K.  We did use some huge, home made flashcards first, but because K was less than a year old, & we did not test her it was hard to tell if she was learning them or not.  At the time, Love & Learning was the only early reading program I had heard of.  It is designed specifically for kids with Down syndrome.  I ordered the first 2 kits & we started showing them to K.  She really enjoyed the DVD's & videos, & as you can see from the videos in an earlier blog post, she did learn to read the words in this program.  The videos are somewhat outdated, but K didn't mind & was quite excited about watching them.  One thing that I don't like is that the pictures in the book are not very clear & concise -  I prefer to use a very accurate picture rather than a sketch on my flashcards.  I do appreciate that there is a word on one page & a picture on the next.  This helps babies & young children to focus on the word only & not be distracted by the picture.  My biggest complaint is the cost of the program.  For the number of words it teaches, it is a fair amount of money.
http://loveandlearning.com/home.shtml

Early Reading Programs

My next set of posts will be on the early reading programs that I have tried - & we've tried most of them! LOL!  Most of them will be in random order, but I'm saving my favorite for last, so wait for it before you go buy a program!  Please keep in mind that every child learns differently & therefore what works best for my child may not be the best choice for yours.  Consider your child's learning style & personal preferences before you make your choice.

What we did then - What we do now Part 2

The other big recent change we have made is that K started a neurodevelopmental program with ICAN last fall.  We had created our own program for her until then, but really felt an evaluation and a program made specifically for her would be even more beneficial.  I won't talk about the details of her program because it is developed specifically for K, but we are pleased with her new program.  I think the biggest changes we have noticed has been a very definite increase in her memory - up one full digit span ( Mom's assessment only) in only 4 months!

What we did then - What we do now Part 1

We have made a few changes in the last 6 months.  Until last fall, for supplements,  K was getting a regular children's multi vitamin, fish oil, vitamin D, vitamin C, probiotics - I think that's all!   Occasionally she would get a elderberry & zinc combination & echinacea when she had a cold.  All of her supplements were health food store quality. What you see in most of these videos she accomplished while getting the above vitamins only, & a good diet ( lots of organics)  - without TNI.  It is comforting for me to know that my daughter can learn so well without anything else although I do know that many people consider TNI to be more for the long term benefits.

Having said that, we have decided to try some additional supplements in the last 6 months.  We added them all gradually.  K is getting Nutrivene D Daily supplement, Nutrivene Night Time formula, Ginkgo Biloba & Longvida Curcumin.  The only thing that I think made a noticeable difference is the Longvida Curcumin.  K's language seemed to take a sudden jump when we started it. However, we ran out a couple of weeks ago, & this week the whole family has commented on a sudden jump in her speech, so who knows?   The new order of curcumin should arrive soon -  I'll update if I see any new changes once she is back on it again. 

I have to admit that I had been hoping to see more short term results.  I am honestly undecided as to whether or not we will continue long term. I have talked to other parents though, who were impressed with the changes  in their kids on TNI, but I believe that because each child is an individual, certain things work for one that might not work for another.

Where do I start?

I am finding it very frustrating to figure out where to start with all of the information I want to talk about as well as to figure out how to organize it all. Please bear with me if some of the posts are coming out a little jumbled in order. I will try label them all so they can be easily found in by searching.

In other news, my Grandpa passed away last night. He went for coffee with a friend, got into the vehicle, buckled up,and in the few seconds it took his friend to get back to his side of the vehicle,he was gone. We are very thankful and feel blessed that he lived a good long life and went quickly with no suffering. I will be gone most of the next week, so I'm not sure if I will be near a computer & blogging much or not, but will be back next week and get back to the questions I have been asked and add some information on some of the different early reading programs available.

Thanks everyone

Have you pledged to stop using the "R" word yet?

There is only about 1/2 hour left of Mar 2/11.  I had planned to post this a lot earlier, but am just getting home after a much longer day than it was supposed to be, so I'll make this short.  Today is the day to "spread the word to end the word", but it needs to be done every day.  Check out the link below to take the pledge & for more info, & if you haven't already (which I'm sure most of you have) - Stop using the "R" word!

http://r-word.org/Default.aspx

P.H.O.N.E.

It happened tonight,...........one of those moments where as a parent of a child with Down syndrome ( or other special needs, I'm sure) you are ecstatic about a new skill that has suddenly emerged, yet all the while dreading the consequences. Tonight I spelled to my older girls that I was looking for my P. H. O. N. E. ( it's an iPhone & K loves to play games on it) Immediately K said "Where your phone Mommy?" and in that moment it happened. I now see the end of being able to spell out words like C.A.N.D.Y.,or say "I. C. E. Cream, or other variations of words we don't want K to know that we are speaking of. I knew it would come, I knew I would be one proud Momma,........ but she's only 3, I'm supposed to be able to spell things a little longer!........Thanks for letting me share yet another big brag:)!