Spanish Immersion

Sheridan's Montessori class has three teachers - a head teacher (Martha) and two assistant teachers (Leticia and Martina). Martina happens to be the Spanish Immersion teacher - she speaks exclusively Spanish to the children. Sheridan loves all three of his teachers (truly, truly LOVES them), but Martina holds a very special, unique place in his heart.

Speaking of Spanish, Sheridan has picked up so much this year... his vocabulary continues to grow, and I was amazed a couple weeks ago when Martina had a full-blown conversation with Sheridan in Spanish. I didn't understand what she was saying (ok, I understood one word - literally one word), but Sheridan was fully attentive and engaged, responded in Spanish to her (1-2 word phrases), and did precisely what she asked.

He LOVES learning Spanish songs (well, ALL songs) at school. When he comes home with a new song it typically takes me about a week to figure out what he's singing - if it takes longer than that and I'm still stumped, I know to ask what songs Martina has been teaching the children!

Here's Sheridan singing one of his favorites: La Pulga de San Jose. This video was taken right before bed a couple weeks ago and he's SUPER sleepy, but you can still make out some of the lyrics which I found online.

Apraxia be damned... this boy is learning a foreign language!

Up, Down, & All Around

Nine months ago when Sheridan started at his current school he couldn't navigate the play structure independently. He couldn't climb up or down the ladders/structure with the exception of climbing up and down the stairs using both hands for balance, and walking across the bridge. 

Now he's jumping, handling a lot of movement on the bridge, and climbing all over the place independently. This video shows Sheridan working with his Physical Therapist who sees him at school once a week for an hour each visit - the first 30 minutes is just the two of them, the second half is when the other children (most of them 1-2 years older than Sheridan) are out playing, too. His skill level can vary depending on the amount of activity around him, so this combined session is perfect for helping him generalize his skills. 

I love how the other children like to get involved... little PTs in the making!

Not only are these important skills for his gross motor development, they help to increase his safety at school and, let's face it, that boy would live outside if we let him. Now he has increased confidence and ability to do what he wants to do. So proud of him!

The Right Motivation

I'm slammed with work and deadlines and blah, blah, blah... so I'm taking a mental health break and posting a quick video.

You'll remember a while back when Sheridan showed off how he counts to 10. He's been counting to 20 for some time now, and just a few weeks ago he came home one day from school and out of the blue he's counting to 30. Now, it's an emerging skill these 21-30... so about half the time he skips around a bit. Turns out, his teacher said he must have picked up this skill from some of the older children in class who are working on more advanced math skills because she hasn't worked with Sheridan on this.

Yet another reason to love that Sheridan is fully included in a multi-age classroom.

Sheridan is super motivated lately by reading, letters (phonics, more specifically), and counting. So, I use that to my advantage to motivate him to complete tasks. Here, I use his love of All-Things-Counting to motivate some self-help skills. Most importantly, it's stinkin' cute!

Sheridan & Shadow

On Saturday I took Sheridan for his first horseback riding lesson with my cousin Amber (she trains horses - and their owners - and shows horses for a living). I was so excited to get Sheridan riding with her. I know that this will be good for Sheridan on so many levels, and to be able to experience this with my cousin is proverbial icing on the equally proverbial cake. And, of course, Nonna (my mom) wouldn't miss this first session.

The moment Sheridan saw Shadow his mouth dropped open and he took in a big in-awe breath. Shadow is huge, gorgeous, and a true sincere Gentle Giant. He was so patient and sweet with Sheridan. Here's some pics:

Seeing Shadow for the first time (and holding tightly to Nonna's hand)

This is one of my favorite images from the day... so beautiful to see the three of them walking together

Helping Amber tie Shadow up

Sheridan was really timid around Shadow - which I expected - so he wasn't ready to help brush him, but he liked watching us brush Shadow

We walked around for a while, giving Sheridan some time to see all the different horses, watch them run (I learned the difference between a trot and a cantor and Sheridan learned that he loves saying the words trot and trotting). Then it was time to lead Shadow to the area where Sheridan would ride with Amber. Quick disclaimer: when I say Shadow was huge, I really mean it. In these pictures below I'm stepping on the 2nd or 3rd step of a little stairs unit so I could get Sheridan up near Amber.

So, first we worked on Sheridan petting/rubbing Shadow...

Here, Sheridan became interested in the saddle and soft blanket underneath, so he was getting into the idea of what equipment it takes to ride a horse

What happened after that was me putting Sheridan up on Shadow in front of Amber, Amber holding around him, Sheridan freaking out (I never fully let go because he started crying), my mom and Amber and I trying to help him settle in so he could feel comfortable (which didn't happen), and then I took him back down. It all lasted about 60 seconds (felt much longer), and i had feeling that it would go that way. I know once Sheridan is exposed to Shadow more and we go out regularly he'll eventually get up on him. I'm patient, and so is Amber :)

Amber then offered Sheridan an opportunity to "drive" Shadow, the boy quickly took the reigns and shook them like he knew what he was doing. He loved it.

Came in close to get comfortable with Shadow.

Walking Shadow back... still driving that horse. One of my other favorite images.

By the end of the lesson, Sheridan was really warming up to Shadow. Giving lots of hugs and kisses.

Camera had a delay and I missed Sheridan's huge smile while hugging Shadow

Big kisses for Shadow

I love how they kept eyeing each other up

When it was time to go, Sheridan walked right up to Shadow's front leg, gave him a big hug, and said, "Bye bye, Shadow. See ya!"

It will likely take a while, but I know he's going to do great. And all he could talk about was Amber and Shadow all weekend. Can't wait until this weekend to get him out there again!

Sheridan Will Make You Jump, Jump

We have a new, emerging skill 'round these parts! Gettin' real air!