Parent/Teacher Conference & 21 Months

Today was Lilah's parent/teacher conference. I LOVE this time. It's so fun to hear what her teachers have to say about her development. Most of things we went over we already knew but I did learn some other sweet things about how she behaves when at school. 

Describe this child's strengths in social-emotional, physical, language and cognitive development: 

• Social-Emotional: Lilah reacts to others' emotional expression; she understands and shows concern for her classmates who are upset. Lilah knows that her classmates have certain items that they like to play with and when they are upset she brings them their favorite toy. For example, one child loves a stuffed bear and when she cries, Lilah brings her this stuffed animal. She has lots of friends and plays well with others. 
• Physical: Experiments with different ways of balancing. Lilah can now stand on the balance beam. When she falls off, she gets up and tries again. 
• Language: Uses one or two word phrases or sentences. 
• Cognitive: Looks for familiar persons when they are named. 

Describe this child's strengths in learning literacy, math, science and technology, social studies: 

• Literacy: Joins in rhyming songs and games
• Math: Verbally counts (not always in correct order). She can count 1, 2, 3 in sequence and can count 1, 2 in Spanish.  
• Science and Technology: Uses tools and other technology to perform tasks. Plays with a toy camera, holds it up and says "Cheese"
• Social Studies: Demonstrates knowledge about self. Engages in lots of pretend play in the kitchen and with baby dolls
• The Arts: Explores dance and movement concepts. Loves to dance. Whenever a song ends she asks for "more." One of her favorite songs right now is a Michael Jackson song that they play each day. 

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While I'm on the subject of updating what she has been doing in school, I thought I'd also document some additional things that she is now doing at 21 months. It's been awhile since I've done a post like this:

• Can name and point to many body parts (eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, ears, hair, belly, feet, toes, hands)
• Can name animals and imitate their sounds (dog, cat, cow, pig, goat, bee, monkey, horse, duck, sheep, lion, tiger, snake) If you ask her what a bunny says she scrunches her face and blinks her eyes. :) 
• Vocabulary is increasing by the day!  Some of her most recent and favorite words/phrases are: no, outside, alright mama, help me, bye-bye (insert word), all done, book, color, bubbles, cold, hot, ball, bow, home, cracker,water, more, oh no, uh-oh, egg. There are just too many to list. But, those are some her favorites and the ones we hear on a daily basis. 
• Favorite foods: Lilah is a big snacker. She loves crackers, pistachios, almonds, Goldfish, Nutrigrain bars, Cheerios, Puffs, yogurt covered raisins, and graham crackers. She also loves cereal, yogurt, macaroni and cheese, chicken, toast, broccoli, and steak.  She's a little bit of a picky eater--doesn't eat a lot in one sitting but loves to snack. She does not like juice. She drinks either milk or water. I've tried giving her jucie and she spits it out. 
• Favorite TV Shows/Movies: Bubble Guppies, Yo Gabba Gabba, Fresh Beat Band, Elmo and Ruldoph the Red Nosed Reindeer (we are still watching this in April)
• Bedtime routine: Lilah loves her routine. Typically, between 6:30-7:30pm Lilah will start saying "bye bye, TV. Bubbles." And, we know it is time to start the bath. She loves bath time and splashing around.  After a bath, we put on pajamas and then read. Lilah has to have a bedtime snack while we read (usually a couple Goldfish or Wheat Thins). This usually turns into having one or two of the aforementioned items in her hand when she lays in her crib. She's such a funny little snacker.  I had to laugh one night when I was rocking her to sleep and I thought she was asleep until I hear "crunch, crunch, crunch." I had forgotten that she had a fist-full of Goldfish and took a bite while she was being rocked. 
• Sleeping; Lilah is usually in bed between 7:30 and 8:00pm each night and wakes up between 5:00-6:30am. She naps once a day around 12:00 for about an hour and a half.
• Favorite activities: DANCING! This girl loves to dance. Anytime any music comes on she stops and breaks it down. She doesn't discriminate--she's likes anything from country to rap. Lilah also LOVES to be outside. We take lots of walks and wagon rides. Lately, we start off with a walk, then she wants a wagon ride, THEN she asks for a stroller ride. Mama and Papa get lots of exercise with this routine. She enjoys playing in her sandbox, blowing bubbles,reading, running, throwing/chasing balls, puzzles, coloring, stickers, and helping with household chores like folding laundry, putting away dishes, sweeping, etc. 
• Potty Training: A potty has been purchased and sits in our bathroom. Lilah will occasionally sit on it but we haven't pushed it too much. She doesn't seem too interested. This is something that we'll focus on a little more in the very near future. 

Our little girl is growing up so fast! She makes us so proud and continues to amaze us with all the new things she does each day. She's a little ball of energy and can be a Miss Sassy-Pants some days. But, most of the time she is such a sweet, loving little personality full of hugs and kisses.