Numbers, Letters, and Dancing :)

Andrew just recently turned 2 1/2.  We’ve been working with him lately on both the alphabet and his numbers.  It’s really quite funny.  He picked up ‘letters’ pretty quickly when he was younger.

I think he was 1 1/2 when he could first spell his name.  ‘A…n…d…r..e…DAbbuuuuu’!  His favorite was W.  He see’s letters on things like the back end of cars – and would proceed to spell his name, pointing at each letter (of Acura for example).  He eventually started to drop letters..  ‘A… D.. R..E..W’ and then, I guess we were not keeping up with him much any more by spelling his name – and he forgot all about how to spell his name soon enough.

He still knows those letters… Like when he sees a letter – and tries to tell me what letter it is, those are almost always the letters he will use.  But for the most part, had switched his main interest over to numbers.

We (mostly my husband) would/will count for Andrew all day.  Seriously.  He counts all the time for him.. He turns regular old songs into number songs.  Instead of Twinkle, Twinkle, little star– it’s ‘1,2,3,4,5,6,7’ He’ll count cars, toys, snacks… anything.  So to our surprise – Andrew was almost never interested in counting along with daddy.  I mean, he probably listened and followed- but he would never repeat.

Then one day about a month ago, Andrew just started counting.  1… 2… freee… 4… 5… 6…7…8..9…10!! I whipped my head around nearly breaking it – because I was totally amazed at what I just heard!  He didn’t know how to count!! but then he DID!

So then, we were having him count everything.  I mean… A Lot of things.  Many times during his day we would have him count. It just amazed me!  But then he started to drop the number 7.   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8-9-10.  8-9-10 were pretty much just one big breath of air.  So I would tell him he forgot 7 and then kept counting to him again with the emphasis of my voice on 7.

THEN you know what happened?? He dropped that silly SIX.

Oi oi oi. So.  Now Andrew Counts 1,2,3,4,5 really fast.  then 8.9.10. with a matter of fact. 

I mean, I’m still pretty amazed that he knows his numbers as well as he does – and that he realizes that they’re used for counting things.. and I’m not terribly worried that he’s never going to get it right.

I just wonder, more… When is it normal for kids to learn the alphabet song and the numbers all in their proper orders??  I’m sure 2 1/2 is on the young side… but… when is normal?

On the funnier side of things, we were at a barbeque with some friends last night – and Andrew was asked by a friend of ours – ‘How old are you Andrew?’ (To which he almost NEVER answers.. even though I’ve prepped him hundreds of times for the question and the answer) This time… he answered.  ‘FOUR.’  our friend said (knowing very well he wasn’t four..) … ‘I don’t think so buddy…’ and Andrew goes.. ‘FIVE!’   Hahaha!

Also, if you ask Andrew what his name is, (and he decides it’s ok to answer) he’ll put his hands on his tummy and say ‘MEEEE!!’

Because.. his name is Me.  haha!

This, also.. Is too funny not to share