How old?

Nidhi's previous key worker was very impressed when, early in September, after Nidhi started pre-school, one day she counted upto 30 unaided. Further, when the key worker (Dana) said that that was how old she was, Nidhi told her that her mummy was 32 years old and that her daddy was 33. I din't find this remarkable until this week.

This week is school half term and Nidhi has been very socially active. She's been having playdates with friends from pre-school every day. The pre-school mom who came on Monday was clearly impressed when Nidhi counted upto 100, to take turns for playing with the same toy. Her son wouldn't count upto 20 without making mistakes.

Then yesterday another girl from pre-school was playing with Nidhi and they were talking about their ages. The girl asked how old I was and Nidhi said I was 33years old and so was her father. Then Nidhi asked the girl how old her dad was. The girl said 15. Nidhi turned around and gave me a funny look. Today she said, "Her dad cannot be 15 because then he will be a child."

Given any two random numbers between 1 and 100, Nidhi can correctly say which is the bigger of the two.

Literacy and numeracy appear to be her strengths. When Nidhi started pre-school I was pretty certain she would be the brightest child in her class. I have been in to preschool to help several times in the last term and a half. As a result, I have had the opportunity to observe all the children. I have to say, I no longer consider Nidhi the brightest child in the class. They are all unique and all have their talents. Some are great at making friends, others are great at looking after each other, some have very good communication, some are very confident and assertive, some are just very funny the way they are, and the things they say.

They are at this lovely age when it's wonderful to watch them learn and develop. It would be silly really to try to compare or pit them against each other.

Taste of Bollywood

By choice, we have no TV. Nidhi has not watched any Bollywood movies or songs till date. Today I was humming an old Hindi song all morning. Wanting to get more of the lyrics I searched for the video and played it on youtube.

After a couple of lines of the song have played, Nidhi appears interested and watches the screen.

4yo: I like this singing. I like the song.

Me: :-)

4yo: But I can't sing it because the words are very different from what I know.

Me: :-)

After watching some more

4yo: Are they trying to get married?

Just for the record, it was a harmless song: Aisa sama na hota, from Zameen Asmaan, a 1980s movie.

Twice times

I'm reading a book to Nidhi and notice that she is playing with her fingers instead of following the story. I'm just about to show my irritation when she says "Four twos are nine". I look at her a little doubtfully and shake my head "Unh..unh". She looks at her fingers again and says"It's eight. Four twos are eight"

I'm amazed but say nothing. She did this a few weeks back when I was putting her to bed and she was playing with her fingers and said "Three twos is six". At that time I din't pay much attention as I thought it was purely guesswork or chance.

I don't know why she's even thinking on these lines (ie times tables). We have never touched the subject as far as I can remember.

I had a general chat with Liz, her key worker at pre-school earlier today. I did not talk about any of Nidhi's numeracy skills but Liz mentioned that numbers seems to be Nidhi's strength/talent. She plans to work further with Nidhi on numbers in the next half term. Will be interesting to see how that goes.

You can't win

Nidhi loves her fried egg sunny side up. Not surprisingly she loves runny egg yolk. I'm thinking of a quick dinner tonight since we were late getting back from the dentist.

Me: Would you like fried egg or fish fingers?

4yo: Fried egg. But don't give me 4 pieces of bread, just give me 2.

Me: Why?

4yo: Because by the time I eat 2 pieces, it gets over.

Me: What gets over?

4yo: The dip (she means the runny yolk into which she dips the bread)

Me: Well, you've got to eat the white part then. You can't just eat the yolk and leave the rest. I'm not going to make a fried egg. I'm making an omelette.

4yo: Ok, I'll have fish fingers.

No longer 3yo

4yo: Can God carry the world?

Me: Yes, he can do anything

4yo: Can he carry you, and me and daddy, and all the 6 billion people in the world?

Me: Yes, he can

4yo: Can Samson carry that?

Me: Hmmm... no I don't think so

4yo: But he was very strong. Can Samson carry 10 people?

Me: Ya, may be, but not the whole world.

4yo: Can God carry himself?

Me: (sigh!) Yes, I think so, since he can do anything

4yo: Even though that is impossible?!

Me: Uh..uh..

After life

3yo: Can we use toilets in heaven?

Me: Yes, I guess so. Why do you want to know?

3yo: Because daddy said we'll live in heaven for ever and ever.