Thanks Maquenzie for your advice! That's very helpful especially when you talk about the struggle vs. interest.

Actually, my baby uses this object permanence box : http://www.absorbentminds.co.uk/acatalog/info_T_40_02_20.html
It is a versatile box that will become eventually a shape sorter. For the moment, I am just using the lid for the ball and I removed the drawer so it is like an object permanence box but without a tray. I don't know if it is too easy so I should "upgrade" it somehow (add the drawer or change the lid??).

For modeling, I spend my day tidying up his room, , although I just put a few toys at a time.

Hi everybody,

I am having trouble keeping my 11-month-old baby using the Montessori object permanence box for more than one minute. He will just drop the ball 2 or 3 times then he will put it straight in his mouth. I really try to demonstrate correctly how to put the ball and retrieve it. I make sure he can work in an uncluttered environment too. Also, he likes taking objects out of containers but he will not always put them back.

I lately tried to show him how to put a wooden cylinder in a cup and take it out again, he seems to enjoy doing it but only when I am with him. When he's by himself he will run to his low shelves to empty them and mouth, tap and throw everything. I wish he could use his toys in a proper way.

Just put your laptop a bit farther on the desk and set the multisensory lessons on auto-forward . That's what I do... my DS keeps tapping at the table instead while carefully watching his lessons. You can use another table if your desk is narrow.

I am still breastfeeding my baby who is 8 mths now. I think what helped me the most:

1- Breastfeeding on demand from the beginning. Now he crawls towards me and tugs my T-shirt when he needs milk, that' so cute 
2- Oats in my breakfast every morning + eating healthy (I eat organic too)
3- Co-sleeping: that's so efficient
4- Water, water, water, all day long.

Thanks Kezia, I hope there will be also discounts on the other LR curricula... That will be so cool 

Thanks Mela Bala, and Karma to you too for checking  out my blog 

Hey Mela Bala,

Is there a link for us to see who we can get an Affiliate Code from?

  you can check out my blog for a coupon code (the address is in my signature)

I have another question myself:
Can I use my points to get a discount on the Chinese curriculum?

Hey KL,

I volunteer for the French Curriculum! But what happened to the Arabic one? I volunteered for that too but haven't heard anything from the BK team.  (I am a native speaker in both)
I can't wait to get them all!

I've been showing my baby flashcards and using the Little Reader software since he was about 4 months and a half. I've been also reading books since he was 6 weeks. At 7 months, I wanted to test his ability to recognize the words he's familiar with. I showed him flashcards and asked him to pick up  specific words, He got it right each time. I am persuaded he could read even from before. I remember I did the same but with numbers two months ago, at that age (5 mths), his subitizing performance was also perfect. He knows his colors too

Hi qzee,

I noticed the word exclusively too. The reason why I didn't offer solid earlier is that I live in the UK and you know about the recommendations here 

My baby is 8 months now and he's always been breastfed. He showed interest in food when he was 5 months, so I introduced solids at that time and it was very easy as it was baby-led "feeding". I am planning to continue nursing till he will be 2. Nursing till that age is important for me as I am a Muslim and there is a verse in the Qur'an stating that:

"The mothers shall give such to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear God and know that God sees well what ye do.  (The Noble Quran, 2:233)"

Moreover, the World Health Organization recommends the same age for weaning. Here are few statements in favor for prolonged breastfeeding:


-  “There is no evidence that breastfeeding a child beyond infancy is harmful. Quite the opposite is true: breastfeeding benefits toddlers and young children, both nutritionally and psychologically. Breastmilk remains a valuable source of protein, fat, calcium, and vitamins well beyond two years of age. (1) Immunities in breastmilk become more concentrated as nurslings mature; (2) at the same time, the likelihood of allergies decreases. (3) Mothers who nurse past  infancy derive benefits as well, including a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer the longer she continues nursing. (4)  Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood. In fact, prolonged nursing is associated with better social adjustment. Breastfeeding past infancy is as old as humanity. Still common in Western cultures as recently as a hundred years ago, the practice then underwent a sharp decline. Now, extended breastfeeding is becoming more popular, and medical professionals are beginning to recognize how valuable it is. While the American Academy of Pediatrics acknowledges the value of breastfeeding for the entire first year of life, the US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond." www.llli.org/law/lawextended.html

- “We have noticed that children who have been weaned too early show what we call diseases of premature weaning: aggression, anger, more tantrum-like behavior, anxious clinging to caregivers, and less ability to form deep and intimate relationships. Breastfeeding seems to mellow out the aggressive tendencies of toddlers and restores balance into their behavior.” – Dr William Sears, The Discipline Book, 1997

“…, it has been my challenge to the criminal justice system to find one murderer, rapist, or drug addict in any correctional facility in America who has been breastfed for ‘two years and beyond’, as recommended by the World Health Organization.” – Dr James Prescott, ‘Touch the Future’, Spring 1997.

Assalamu Alaykum Sister,

To answer your questions:

1- Both flashcards and PPT are useful, but I'd say PPT is easier.
2- Within 1 session, you can use only words in the beginning, then multisensory (word + picture + video if available) and finally pictures. This is the way the first lessons in LR are made. I'd say download an LR free trial and you'll get the idea.
3- I teach Arabic to my baby too, using LR that you can custom by translating the English files or by downloading ready made lessons on LR here: http://forum.brillkids.com/downloads/?cat=94

PPT lessons in Arabic are here:

http://forum.brillkids.com/index.php?action=downloads;cat=135

http://forum.brillkids.com/downloads/?cat=176

http://forum.brillkids.com/downloads/?cat=224

4- You don't necessarily need books, just use internet! You can find all the info you need here: http://www.brillbaby.com/
You can also take a look at my blog here: http://babyalbab.blogspot.com/search/label/Arabic

I hope this helps
 

Try to teach your baby when she is at her calmest moments, e.g: after having a bath or after her naps. That's what I do with my 8 months old DS and it works most of the time.

That's an excellent idea KL! I go for it!

Salam NurFarah,

I've just added the file with pronunciation. It just needs to be approved.