good article

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/health/29brod.html
"From Birth, Engage Your Child With Talk"
This article explains very eloquently how I taught 3-4 year olds about photosynthesis and other seemingly advanced concepts- by using descriptive yet simple language while engaging with them in their environment. The author points out how important it is to make eye contact when speaking to a child. Getting down to their level while playing, speaking, and especially disciplining is important. Once simple language is learned, expand the conversation with more complex words, ideas, and synonyms. This is called scaffolding. You begin with a simple foundation and build the supports from the bottom up. Combine active engagement with frequent experiences related to the conversations and the child is more likely to maintain and recall new information while making connections between various subjects. For example, we have been looking at the new National Geographic about giant sequoias. Theo already says 'tree', 'birdie' & 'leaf' and often points out trees when he's outside and in. So I took out the 4 page insert of the largest tree on Earth and taped it to his wall. Every morning we 'talk' about the picture and are currently collecting leaves on our walks and taping them above the tree. Now that the leaves are changing colors he is noticing and making 'exclamations' about it...a perfect opportunity to point out colors! And on it goes...his curiosity is endless. I noticed Theo is picking up a new word every other day. He is really trying to say words and sentences with a speaking cadence, even though the majority of what he's saying I can't understand. And I do talk to him all the time...he's the only one around most of the day! Anyway, I am attempting to convert my teaching skills to a more basic level, tailored to Theo's interests and modes of exploration. I already have the preschool and early elementary years covered as home schooling goes. Every day he makes leaps in understanding and language, I get excited considering his future lessons in photosynthesis, dinosaurs, and space (right now he's getting his prerequisite of Star Trek 101 in the evenings before bedtime).