"You've Come A Long Way, Baby!"

I am amazed at how far my little "hyper" grandson has come over the past 8 months that we've been homeschooling him. (Without drugs/Ritalin, by the way!)  We began in July of 2011, when he was 2 yr. 9 mo. old.  The knowledge he has acquired and retained in this short time is mind-boggling, to say the least.  His speech has become that of a much older child.  He thinks things through (reasons things out) before speaking, and frequently leaves us astonished at his understanding of things beyond the level of a  "normal" 3 year old.   (Of course, he talks constantly.  Practice makes perfect, don't ya know!) 

If I had to choose only one aspect of our homeschooling experience (to date) that I've found to be most noteworthy, it would be the remarkable increase of his attention span.  When we began homeschooling last July, mostly all he did was "flit" around from one thing to another, never spending more than a few seconds on any one thing.  Sitting down to read a short, child's story book was NOT happening.  He wouldn't sit through more than one or two pages (each page having a very colorful, large picture and only one or two sentences on the page) before he was up and off looking for something else to "get into". 

Now, 8 months later, my grandson will actually sit and pay attention as I read a "chapter" book to him.  You know, the kind that has a whole page of words, and one little black & white drawing / picture on the opposite page.  Yes!  The other day, we began reading Pinocchio.  We have completed 7 chapters now, and he is enjoying it!  Yay!!!!!!!!!!!. 

So folks, if you have a hyperactive child that you fear will not settle down to learn anything without drugs...Think again!  All it takes is patience and determination on your part, and your child will learn - and yes, IMPROVE in his attention span.  Don't lose hope. Be encouraged! 

Of course, my grandson is still very active.  He still tires us all out.  We've found a solution to that, too.  His parents,  great-grandparents, aunt, my husband, and myself  take turns caring for him when he isn't doing his lessons at my house.   This way, his energy gets spread out among many, so it doesn't become overwhelming (to his parents, especially).