Day 1 of Preschool-keeping it simple

As stated in the title, today is about simplicity and basics.

I plan to use tape to make some shapes outside on our deck to let Dillon play with. I will do a triangle,square and rectangle and a circle. I will label the shapes by numbers one through five. We will learn about shapes and numbers.

The goal: Learning to identify shapes and numbers 1-5, using this activity and a continuation of activites on shapes and numbers.

I will share some pictures too.

What is apraxia and spd?

These topics are very broad so I only plan to share a general concept of what they are.

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childhoodapraxia.htm

The link above gives a broad definition of apraxia. Since Dillon is so young he is not diagnosed with this and we will have to determine if he has it as his speech develops.However we know he has a delay by the amount of words he uses which is less than the average three year old. Because of the speech therapy his vocabulary is expanding. It most certainly is a slow process thiough. Due to these issues I will need to find ways to still teach him despite the delay. I might prefer pictures or different tactics than the typical preschool teacher.He comprehends far more than he says and is incredibly smart. Since there is a communication barrier it can complicate his understanding or perception of something. So the object of my teaching will need to incorporate all of the mentioned above.

What is spd or sensory processing disorder?
http://www.spdfoundation.net/about-sensory-processing-disorder.html

The link gives a general definition, however having a child with spd and seeing things constantly unfold you know it is a lifelong learning process. Dillon mainly struggles with auditory processing disorder and tactile(touch). He sometimes is ok with messy things touching his hands or body but most often not. He loves water sometimes but hates to spill liquids on himself. This often results in him changing clothes multiple times a day. All mothers know this means more laundy. Subtle changes can be huge for him, certain postions can be hard for him. He hardly ever sits still and it is a tough feat to make him sit still unless he is strapped into a stroller or booster seat/car seat. We also think he has some ocd tendencies, he needs things to be lined up or stacked a certain way. He is very impulsive sometimes which some of that is typical toddlerhood. I plan to help with the spd by doing some heavy work activites before requiring him to attend to a task.

Approaching Home Preschool

In about a month Dillon will be turning three years old. He receives speech therapy each week in our home. He has delayed speech and possibly apraxia of speech. He also has sensory processing disorder. I am trying to preschool him instead of sending him to preschool. I plan on documenting his preschool journey in hopes it will help others in the future who plan to preschool a child with sensory issue or with speech delays.Bare with me as I learn to navigate teaching with challenges. I also have a nine month old little girl who will require some of my attention.In teaching I also plan to incorporate the practical things and lessons we see in our everyday activites. We already mimic some routines practiced at your typical preschool,
-lunch followed by a nap
-learning to potty
-reading
-recreation and play.
Next post will highlight some info about apraxia and spd.

Sensory fun for Dillon

http://totallytots.blogspot.com/2012/09/gel-sensory-bags-simply-made.html?m=1

Made a gel bag for Dillon today, I put some lids and a teaspoon inside for him to play with and squish around. I cannot wait to try it and see if he likes it.

My testimony

My Testimony
Written July 28,2012

Revelation 12:11
And if they overcame him because of the blood of the lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

The word of my testimony, if you were to ask me to tell you why I believe Jesus Christ is the son of the living God. Why he is my personal savior, why I believe Jesus walked this earth and was crucified on a cross. That he was resurrected and lives.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Matthew 27:35 And when they had crucified him, they divided up his garments among themselves by casting lots.

Matthew 28:6 He is not here,he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying.

I came to know of Jesus Christ at the young age of four, while at a vacation bible school. Sweet little spunky, cocked with attitude, Catherine Carpenter. To shed some light on what I mean by spunky, I remember my very first day of kindergarten. My grandmother came to wake me up that morning. In response to her disturbing me, I told her to go kick herself. Oh Cat, me, I wanted that responsibility of being a big girl but man, did I have a way with words.
At age four I vaguely remember going to the alter and praying something to the effect of Jesus Christ died for me as a sinner. Not really sure what I said or prayed. It was a long time ago from where I am today. It has taken me twenty-five years to at least accept that I am spunky,sassy, and often open my mouth when I should hush. However, God made me the way I am.
In any case, church was on Sundays and Wednesdays. Granny always got us to and from church as a family with lunch to follow. My grand-dad sang in the choir. Many times over the years, especially as I approached my youth, I doubted that I prayed the right words from a spirit led heart.

Acts 2:37-38 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, repent and each of you be baptized: and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

I am not sure that at my young age I understood the concept of sin and the sacrifice Jesus made to offer forgiveness. That it was not and will never be anything of myself.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

I later was baptized, around age eight, I believe. It was a very foggy experience with friends who were jumping on the baptism bandwagon with me. However, amidst the giggles I can recall the words our pastor said at every baptism.
"Buried in the likeness of his death, raised to walk in newness of life."

The memories, the details are foggy, unclear and leave me with doubts and questions. Most people believe in God or Jesus Christ. Even atheist sometimes still believe or pray to something.
At the end of many alter calls I have always felt something was incomplete, unfinished, still a call to obey. I have cried, prayed, sought advice from friends I consider spiritual mentors. I have told God that I want Jesus Christ to be the leader of my life, that I know he died for me and my sins. That I believe he rose again on the third day and he lives. The days of doubt and struggle because of my own insistence that cause exhaustion are over.

Romans 6:3-6 Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father, so we too might walk in the newness of life.
Because I am being buried with him in baptism into death. What an honor to have the opportunity to nail down and bury the sins that are my past. The wages that mock me, yanking away my worth and grace that Christ so freely gave.
4,14,or 25 years old- its a heart issue. Yes! I deeply believe! Not because I was raised in church and surround by these influences. But because no other name sounds the same.
Jesus, Jesus,Jesus
Only the pureness of the holy spirit can cause a deep yearning that brings meaning to lyrics like-
" When the music fades and all is striped away and I simply come longing just to bring something that's of worth. (Micheal W. Smith)
So we too might walk in the newness of life. Newness, raised to walk in newness of life. If I am gonna walk then I want a light load. So, father, take away the baggage from yesterday.

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

I have a new body resurrected and ready for whatever he calls me to. So you may not understand my testimony, it whinds from back to front. But rededication of the heart and it's direction have been made in transcending years and ways.
The lord asked me to obey,he called me up and out, decisive and courageous,he said. So glad to celebrate my recent baptism on July 28,2012. He knows my heart, peace says he does. That peace can be yours too.

More pics to come!

Ditching the seven year itch and my thoughts

Ok so there you have it as far as verses and links now for my actual post and thoughts. In one of the links about the significance of the number seven it says a musician rest after seven notes before beginning again on note eight so the musician does not give up or bow out he begins again. In marriage every year is a call for a new beginning, a call for new challenges and new celebrations and we must rest when weary but not sacrifice ourself over to other things or people when we get tired.

It also says in the same link that seven in biblical terms signifies completeness I beg the question then when has the Lord ever called something complete and stopped his work and  I know what your thinking(the sabbath) but if I recall yes he rested but that did not signify his end of creation but a beginning that would include Adam and eve, sin and the fall, Noah and the ark, God does not quit and niether should we.At Christ death he proclaimed, "It is finished" but did he stop there, no then we see the ressurection, Thomas learning to beleive, and us now learning to trust when marraiges slow and trouble comes. So I have to say Seven is a number that means complete but if I have proved at all above that complete does not mean done, complete does not mean give up, have an affair, throw out your beleifs. In our spirtual and earthly relationships we hang on despite all circumstances, we love when the person seems unlovable, graee does not give up but has new mercies everyday. I have to think that the verse I shared from proverbs about when trouble comes is not a mockery of the weak but instead a challenge, a challenge to fall down and get back up. I end with saying that I have heard it said pride comes before a fall and I hope this knowledge or lesson I am learning does not reveal itself in pride but the humility of knowing that my marriage as any other can resolve quickly but I hope and pray that in the face of trouble God has taught us that we do not let complete mean its over but that complete would mean a new start. So here is to seven years and more.