Gerd's comments about my video with Liam

Ladies, here is my video with Liam (it is 10 minutes long):
http://www.vimeo.com/14582238

Here are Gerd's comments and suggestions:

POINT #1:
With Liam my intention in the video was to play with the rockets and send them to the targets on the floor. Gerd said that I did everything I could to get Liam back to the game, but he thought I tried TOO MUCH. He reminded me to be flexible enough to LET GO of the game. He said that in the long run, it is always better to go with what the child wants to do. My intention was too strong: “Boy, I have to bring the rockets back”. I told him I was trying to weave my game with his interests, but Gerd said Liam did not bite my game and, in contrast, in the video Liam proposed me three things:

1) Leap pad books: he was asking me to read the long words at the end of the book
2) Horsey ride
3) Sign language: he was asking me to show him the signs of the alphabet

Gerd said it was great that Liam requested these 3 things and that, although I paid attention to his requests, I always tried to mix them with the game even if Liam did not show a lot of interest in it.

Gerd reminded me that this is a CHILD-DIRECTED PROGRAM, which means that LIAM IS THE BOSS in the playroom. He said that if Liam always asks for the same things it is a matter of coming with creative variations and going with Liam’s intention and interests.

POINT #2:
Gerd also thought that Liam seemed to be very interested in SYMBOLS, like the numbers, phonics, math, letters, sign language. He said this is a fascination he would support and foster because that can be a way to capture more of Liam’s interest. I told him that Liam can read since he is about 2.5 years old and that he has always been interested in letters, numbers, shapes, music, etc. Gerd thought it was amazing that at 4pm, after a full day of work, Liam will ask for his "phonics books" and his "math books". Gerd’s suggestions were:

- Write more things. Use the board more.
- Show him combinations of letters and numbers (e.g., progressions and patters)
- For horsey rides, combine them with horse races, talk about the horses having numbers and people betting money on the horses
- Come up with some time of monopoly game for Liam with money to buy things
- Play kitchen talking about ingredients and different amounts
- Bring a measuring tape and measure his toys
- Bring a scale and weight his stuff
- Talk about Egypt; show him Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Gerd final message about Liam was: "I think we have a little genious here. Go with his interests. He knows more than you think he knows."