Hi!  I'm new here, and hope to be a regular participant.  I was glad to find 
you!
Just a brief introduction of my kids. . .
Sarah is 7, gifted, and has something called Pervasive Developmental 
Disorder, which is similar in many respects to Autism (some would say it's a 
slight form of Autism).  Four years ago the developmental psychologist told 
me, "You can forget everything you know about child development, because it's 
not going to apply to this kid."  She was right!  When she turned 3, Sarah 
could read at a 2nd grade level (she taught herself), but wasn't close to 
being potty trained.  She went through the terrible twos at age 4 (and having 
a gifted 4 year old go through that two year old curiosity phase is quite 
scary!)
Ian is 5, and is very bright and quite possibly gifted, although not as 
extreme as his sister.  His driving ambition for this school year is to learn 
to read.  He has an incredible imagination and sometimes I fear he's lost 
touch with reality. . .
Both Sarah and Ian have speech problems (although their language skills are 
way above average).  Sarah has been going to speech therapy at the local 
school, and this year Ian will as well.
Christa Rose is nearly 14 months old, a very sweet, happy, healthy baby, very 
social and active, and I am wondering what I'm going to do with her while 
we're having school.
Now, I have a question.  Does anyone have any tips for developing fine motor 
skills in a 5 year old?  He can put together legos, and he seems to be able 
to hold a pencil correctly when he remembers.  However, we've been trying to 
learn sign language and he has trouble figuring out how to hold his fingers 
to make the signs, and also wants to learn how to play the piano, but his 
fingers won't do what he wants them too.
(The sign language is for Christa.  There is evidence that teaching a baby 
sign language helps them develop verbal skills.  Since speech problems have 
run in my family for at least two generations, we figure she'll need all the 
help she can get!)
I look forward to all replies!
Sherri Miller             __
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  / sherri.miller@sid.net \
/___________________________\ Homeschooling Advantage #18:
                            Cleaning out the refrigerator
  As for me and my house,   can double as a biology lab.
  we will serve the Lord.
      Joshua 24:15
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--- GEcho/32 1.20/Pro
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