Counting My Blessings
My child can’t count. I didn’t worry about this much when she was two. But now she is two and a half, yet she still can’t count. She proudly goes, “One, two, seven, nine, ten!”
This is actually an improvement though. Before, she used to throw letters in with the numbers, “One, two, four, g, p, x - GO!” At least now she recognizes the difference.
At times it gives me pause to worry, especially when all the other two year olds are counting as high as fifteen, sometimes twenty. But most often, I try not to get too worked up. All in due time. After all, she is still just a babe. I also remind myself that I have managed to fare well in life, even though I am a complete math moron.
Then the other day during lunch time, she took her napkin and gingerly folded it in half, matching the two points up perfectly. Then she grasped the other two end points and holding it up high, she said, “Look mommy, I make a triangle napkin for you!”
That is when I had to tell myself, “See? She’s fine! She’s more than fine, she’s smart. She can make triangles for Pete’s sake!”
It’s all relative in the end, right? Fuck the numbers, so she’ll never be an accountant. I can live with that.
Momish
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Reader Comments (8)
It's so easy to get caught up in what milestones our kids should be hitting. My 2 year old barely talks. After 4 kids I have learned that unless they are severely behind in their skills there really isn't anything to worry about. My oldest spoke in full sentences at and appeared to be gifted. Turns out she has auditory processing difficulties. My next two kids were slow to talk and count but are now right where they should be for their age. Just goes to show that what kids are doing at 2 doesn't predict how smart they will or won't be. I'm with you, don't sweat it.
You gotta love it! A triangle for godsakes...thats awesome!
shit, I can barely count myself, babe.
counting develops naturally even in unschooled countries, that being said, so will your darling girl.... soon enough she'll be asking you for an extra $20 and more. ps: i would be happy to bring stuff for a "conserve numbers" lesson.
I'm thinking you might have a future architect on your hands with that kind of geometrical genius showing up at an early age. Also, counting is so passe, they all use calculators these days.
I think it's much more difficult for them to get geometric shapes and symmetry. I'm with you....don't worry about it. Hell, I am 40 and I still need a calculator to add! *LOL*
The spatial awareness and shape knowledge is another math skill. Counting and conserving number will come in its time. She sounds like a delightful little girl!
If you get in the habit now of not comparing your child to anyone else's child, yu will be really happy you did. She sounds like a genius to me - but then, I had all boys...