Survival Skills

Alekzander still probably couldn't play "Pat-a-Cake" or recite many nursery rhymes, but he has a good sense of rhythm and loves books and has a firm grasp on language.  He crawled when he was supposed to, walked at 13 months, and has hit all other developmental milestones at the appropriate time.  We taught him baby sign language, bought him toys to help him cruise, and spent uninterrupted hours with him playing on the floor.  At four and a half now, his mental growth seems to be growing by leaps and bounds every day!  He can run fast, adapt well, and has a healthy understanding of fear.  He has survived pretty well in the past four and a half years with minimal bumps, bruises, or trauma.

With child number two, however, perhaps due to pure exhaustion and necessity, there are different priorities in what you teach them (or don't teach them) and what they learn and when.

Anderson, at 11 months, finally learned how to clap.  While such a skill was not entirely necessary a few months ago, other babies may have been clapping since they were six months old.  Clapping was not a 'must-know' skill we pushed early on.  He hasn't started walking yet mainly because we haven't let him!  Chasing after two wild monkeys will happen in due time, but for now, it is comical to watch Anderson crawl quickly, duck low, and get stuck under kitchen chairs or get cornered behind a big toy.  

In our house, the skills that were learned by Anderson were more necessary for survival. For a few months, Anderson has been able to fend off Alekzander quite successfully. Whether it is bracing himself for a hugging attack, yanking brother's hair, pushing his brother off of him with his hands or feet, crawling away in retreat, or squawking in defense, Anderson has many acquired many skills to survive as a little brother.  And we fully encourage and applaud the growth and development of such skills!