Proud Archives - The Sensory Seeker

“I’m just a sheep!” – the line uttered today by The Sensory Seeker. He is anything BUT just anything. It was actually a comical line and just perfect for his well-timed, well-spoken delivery. Seeing him on the centre stage, in front of everyone, performing just like any other child. In fact not even every child could do that, and some did not have any lines. He did so well singing all the songs and the actions too.

To think I was worried about him starting at a mainstream school – and now here his last Christmas play – I wish he never had to leave. The support of the school has been amazing, but I cannot praise my little boy enough. He works so hard, but also gives life his all. He is so happy and tries to please those around him too (even though he does not quite understand that not everyone wants his hugs or kisses all the time!). He is on his 4 times tables – having already mastered his 10s, 5s and 2s and is blending his sounds to read.

This year he has coped with Christmas much easier – now he knows numbers, days and months a bit better. In fact he’s only been tempted twice to open his LEGO advent calendar ahead of the days! As I say, he’s touching people a bit more but generally coping much better (even if he does keep talking about Easter). We have only just put some (Christmas) lights up (the Christmas decorations usually go up before the 1st December). In fact it is only after this first Christmas performance that we have really felt the change (trying to open his door and trying to get out of his seat belt whilst his dad was driving on the motorway). We usually don’t allow computer games until the weekend but we are finding that they are helping to stabilise him (and we are allowing him to play as a reward).

How are you finding the build up to Christmas and do you have any tips on coping?

Name Recognition – A Proud Achievement

Recently I mentioned how proud we are that our son was writing his own name. To do this he first had to recognise the letters, then copy them, and then remember them to write them without looking. Being such a visual learner we like to ensure there are plenty of words visually around in his environment. Research shows that most learning is done without even trying to remember things. This is why learning through play is so important.

Writing his Name

I am really proud to say that today my son managed (with help) to write his name with all the letters the right way round! (Without looking at a visual reminder).

Not only that his one-to-one support worker looked like she wanted to cry with happy tears yesterday, as she told me how he had written (copied what she wrote) two whole sentences!!!!

We have been playing with things such as letter stickers and shaving foam to help with his letter recognition at home. What letter activities do you do to help your child?

What things have your children achieved – no matter how big or small?