Kipp seems to be blossoming before my very eyes lately. He has always appeared to me to be the antithesis of Landry. I've wondered if both boys just have very different inclinations and dispositions or if Kipp works hard to be the opposite of his overachieving older brother. Lately, I'm coming to realize that it is probably some of both. He has very different strengths than Landry. At the same time, Kipp seems to be covering considerable abilities with silliness and nonsense. I'm also quickly realizing that under endless silly babble, he has definite interests that need to be nurtured.
Reading: Anyone who reads this blog will realize that Landry is a voracious reader. Because I am also a bookworm, I thought that all it took to "make" children who loved to read was some good basic instruction and, later, a constant stream of fantastic stories. Kipp, thus far, has proved me wrong. By all accounts, he really does not enjoy sitting and reading to me. I've brought home dozens of books, trying to ignite his enthusiasm and have failed to see even a spark. I've worried that I was remiss in teaching him the basics somehow.
A couple of incidents have happened recently to change my thinking. First, I walked out to our living room the other day to find Kipp voluntarily reading a simple story to Galen. Later, I noticed him sounding out large, complex words off of various signs and product boxes without any difficulty. Finally, he received a free issue of Robot magazine, a magazine I would say is geared to an adult reading level, and had little or no difficulty reading small portions of it to me.
I'm guessing that Kipp can read, but (a) does not enjoy sitting still and reading to me, (b) doesn't want to be seen as doing the same thing as Landry, or (c) a little of both. Either way, as long as he has the ability to read, I am content. When he wants to know something, he will read. In the meantime, I am contemplating subscribing to Robot magazine and using it as a reader for him.
Games: Landry loves chess, and as you can guess by this point in this post, Kipp really has no interest in it. In the past couple of weeks since we turned off our television and computer games, I've noticed that Kipp likes different types of logic game. In two days, he completed a tanagram-based game called Mighty Mind and can work with considerable focus on Rush Hour, Jr. In a related incident, Jerry reported that Kipp carefully examined the pieces of the robotic arm kit and began putting them together correctly without reading the instructions. By comparison, Landry shows no lasting interest in either of these games or any type of building.
The conclusion is pretty obvious, but my original idea of just handing down Landry's books, puzzles, games, etc. was remarkably naive. I need to take time to seek out those things that hold Kipp's interest. Today, I ordered two books of designs that expand the Mighty Mind game, and, as soon as he completes Rush Hour, Jr., Kipp will have Rush Hour. It goes without saying that I will continue to seek out opportunities for him to build.
At least for me, I think that what I've been seeing in Kipp lately is some of the most interesting part of the parenting process. I really enjoy getting to know these little individuals that I may have helped create and possibly shape, but definitely do not control.
Reading: Anyone who reads this blog will realize that Landry is a voracious reader. Because I am also a bookworm, I thought that all it took to "make" children who loved to read was some good basic instruction and, later, a constant stream of fantastic stories. Kipp, thus far, has proved me wrong. By all accounts, he really does not enjoy sitting and reading to me. I've brought home dozens of books, trying to ignite his enthusiasm and have failed to see even a spark. I've worried that I was remiss in teaching him the basics somehow.
A couple of incidents have happened recently to change my thinking. First, I walked out to our living room the other day to find Kipp voluntarily reading a simple story to Galen. Later, I noticed him sounding out large, complex words off of various signs and product boxes without any difficulty. Finally, he received a free issue of Robot magazine, a magazine I would say is geared to an adult reading level, and had little or no difficulty reading small portions of it to me.
I'm guessing that Kipp can read, but (a) does not enjoy sitting still and reading to me, (b) doesn't want to be seen as doing the same thing as Landry, or (c) a little of both. Either way, as long as he has the ability to read, I am content. When he wants to know something, he will read. In the meantime, I am contemplating subscribing to Robot magazine and using it as a reader for him.
Games: Landry loves chess, and as you can guess by this point in this post, Kipp really has no interest in it. In the past couple of weeks since we turned off our television and computer games, I've noticed that Kipp likes different types of logic game. In two days, he completed a tanagram-based game called Mighty Mind and can work with considerable focus on Rush Hour, Jr. In a related incident, Jerry reported that Kipp carefully examined the pieces of the robotic arm kit and began putting them together correctly without reading the instructions. By comparison, Landry shows no lasting interest in either of these games or any type of building.
The conclusion is pretty obvious, but my original idea of just handing down Landry's books, puzzles, games, etc. was remarkably naive. I need to take time to seek out those things that hold Kipp's interest. Today, I ordered two books of designs that expand the Mighty Mind game, and, as soon as he completes Rush Hour, Jr., Kipp will have Rush Hour. It goes without saying that I will continue to seek out opportunities for him to build.
At least for me, I think that what I've been seeing in Kipp lately is some of the most interesting part of the parenting process. I really enjoy getting to know these little individuals that I may have helped create and possibly shape, but definitely do not control.
We are having the exact same problem in our home! JT loves to read and EM shows little sign of the same desire. One thing we found he does like is Calvin and Hobbes. He struggles with some of the more challenging words, but finds it worth the effort.
JT also loves chess and EM loves Rush Hour. He also likes to rip apart anything electronic he can find in the house and try to put it back together, with varying success. :-)
Hi Annie --
We are in the middle of vacation and I just had a quick moment to check the blogs and I just had to comment on this post. It just rang so completely true to what I have experienced with my boys! My older son is 6 now and is an introvert, very analytical, very into numbers and like your Landry read early and read often. My younger one just turned three and is a total extrovert, is creative, into Legos and building stuff. He loves my reading to him but is not totally into books like older brother. He seems determined to carve a niche for himself that is very very different from his brother. My husband calls it his "differentiation strategy".
I have for the past three years been assuming that books and toys that worked for Woody would work for Buzz -- I really need to re-evaluate this! Isn't it funny, just when you think you have somewhat figured out this parenting thing.....
Thanks so much for posting this! I love reading your posts! Our boys seem so similar and I learn so much from you!
Amita
Nice to meet you!
Thank you for reading my blog and for your kind comment. I'm just trying to figure these amazing little people out. It's reassuring to know others notice in their own children what I see in mine.