She's got Mad (math) Skilz

Lucy knew her ABC's (letter recognition, not just the song) by 2, and wrote her name before she was 3. Now that she's 4 1/2, and has been learning to read for a few months now, I find myself doing a little mental battle. I want to give her "the next thing" as her mind explodes in understanding and creativity. But the more I read about homeschooling and educational theories in general, I am reminded that children need to PLAY! No need to push them academically at this age. She loves to "read" books (have us read to her), and loves writing letters and notes. But despite having an awesome fun loving curriculum to teach her to learn to read, she has given me lots of pushback to do the work. Some of the components of the curriculum are easier to get her excited about. But practicing words, and even having her read her early reader books responds in "I hate reading". Whoa!

So, I take a step back and remind myself learning is (supposed to be) fun! My curriculum has dwindled down to me reading books outloud, and the occasional push to practice her reading skills. We hardly even do any organized crafts, because she is so in charge of her own creativity! She does still like the Art DVD curriculum, once a week or so. As I consider that in a few months, I will be expected to be "teaching" her Kindergarten level officially, I suddenly find myself desiring more of an unschooling approach. I personally would prefer more structure, but I don't want our days to be filled with angst. A 4 year old doesn't NEED to learn to read. It is just something fun to learn if you want to!

Which is where the blog post is going. I have not taught any formal math, and I have struggled thinking about what curriculum might be best for next year. After her angst over reading, I hesitate to push too much academically too soon. And after this week, I feel like maybe I don't really need a math curriculum for next year at all. (this coming from a former "math student of the month" who married a Math major and MIT graduate!!) Because this girl already has mad skills!

Suddenly this week she is doing addition in her head. Yes she is just staring out in the distance and adding numbers. She'll say "22+3" then count to 25 and stop. 5+5...counts to 10. I ask her how she knows when to stop? She just laughs at me. She's writing math facts on her white board for fun.

Tim says maybe we should throw out a bunch of straws and she if she can tell us the number. haha. The only formal training she's had is this small toy that came in a plastic Pooh Bear school play set from Grandmommy. I'm not kidding. I've never showed her a plus sign. I only told her what it means.

She has been focusing on "patterns" this week too. Like these star alternating colors.

And these "penny" patterns. She said, First the penny goes up, then down, then circle around.

As far as handwriting goes...she almost finished her level K handwriting without tears book...but now it just seems pointless. She's already doing this with her writing, to make it look "purty".

And for fun she started copying pages of a book.

And making Anagram puzzles for me to solve.

This one is the most impressive to me. Along with penny diagram. Is it clear that I am not guiding her in this? While I'm doing dishes she brings me these pictures, and explains them to me. Sometimes I even get a "duh, mom!"

Any thoughts from educators? I have a feeling she's already ahead of the Kindergarten game, but maybe I'm just biased and we are only "average" at best. I don't care if she's ahead or behind honestly, I just want to have a sense of pacing that is appropriate. I don't want to hold her back from her greatness with some plan of my own...whether that be homeschooling, going to traditional school, unschooling, etc. I mostly just want to snuggle her and read fairy princess stories with her!!