We are starting to work on improving J-man's interaction skills.
As pretty much every parent in our position probably does, I am reading books. Lots of books about building interaction, language delays, etc. The current manual: Play to Talk by James MacDonald and Pam Stoika. I am only 60 pages in, but so far I can give it two big thumbs UP. Without spending large amounts of time explaining the program, let me just say that right now the current take-home message I am getting is that I need to chill out and simplify simplify simplify.
So that is what I did today. Chilled out and simplified.
And we have had a brilliant day! I wish I could tell you all the ins and outs, but I can't articulate it. Now, don't get me wrong: J-man was as much of a butt head than he always is. But he was more present. I was more present. The overall tone of interaction improved. There was MORE.
For example, J-man was in the tub this evening, chattering away to himself in his Martian talk while I putzed around getting his jammies ready. I walked up the stairs and stopped a couple of steps away from the top, perched my face on the top stair and was watching him in the tub. No words, no mom-in-his-face, just simply present. Then J-man looked up, caught me watching him, and calmly said " Hi Momma".
Allow me to repeat that. He said "Hi Momma".
I was stunned. I said " Hi Jonathan".
He repeated "Hi Momma".
And he went back to playing. Let me tell you, I can honestly say I have never heard him greet me like that. Genuine, real, not prompted. I can't help but get choked up about it.
Yep, two thumbs up Dr. MacDonald.
Two BIG Thumbs Up.
8 comments:
I am all misty eyed just reading this...*hugs*
Me too!
Aww, that's awesome! Thanks for sharing!
How wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Now, I need to find this manual online.... :-)
I bought the book and I think I cried a little too. WOOHOO J-man! Way to go Mama! Cannot wait for that beautiful day! God bless you.
So awesome! I haven't seen that book, but I remember some of the floortime books saying something similar...about giving them the opportunity to come to you without always being in their face. It's something that I'd forgotten about until reading this post.
Yeah! Great news!! Did you get chill bumps? I did.
If you go on youtube,you can look up Honfest 2010, look carefully for my 4 yo , Madison, she is being interviewed by a lady with blonde hair. listen how she talks. this is the link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UReeQFzytM, it's on my ravfan acct.Madison has her brown hair in mini hive w a blue boa
Post a Comment