The problem with the English language

Curious George is playing a computer game to help him with Math skills. He can count to 10 without a problem, but up 20 it's a little shaky, especially 13 and 14. Mainly, that he pronounces them the same way. He has had this problem for a while and I remember mentioning it to Daddy, but he didn't think there's a problem. Now there is. Ha!

The 'th' sound on thirteen, and the 'f' sound on fourteen sounds too similar. The mouth shape is even the same. The only difference is the tongue placement. But how do you teach the subtlety to a 4yr old? My initial solution was teach him that the number 13 starts with a T and that he should pronounce it as such - "Tirteen". At this point my husband would look at me and tell me to ease off as he really is pronouncing it right by saying "thaaa".

Now it's really a problem. Because he pronounces them the same way, he also has a problem differentiating by recognition. Understandably, if he were given a verbal instruction to pick the number 13, he may pick either 13 or 14 if both are one of the choices.

My solution - to teach him the Filipino way of pronouncing "th", which basically means ignore the "h" and say it as a hard "t". Thirteen is now henceforth called "Tirteen". :)

Now he knows the difference by sound. It shall take practice, but problem solved. ;)

Me and my sometimes funny pronounciations can come in handy.

To Daddy, I say "TIEF" and not "THIEF"! We miss you!


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

backyard fun

It's been warm these past few days, the kids are able to have fun in the backyard.


Notice the way Thing 1 calls her daddy to come get her. "Da!," she says.


Thing 2 finds Curious George's bucket of rocks and plays with it. She tries to count, but says letter sounds instead.


Curious George wants to put a bird house on the tree. The problem is, it's broken. But it doesn't matter, I guess. He is in his full "builder" mode, complete with goggles and his very own pint size real hammer.


Thing 1 joins Thing 2 to play with the rocks. I say, "one" and Thing 1 says "two" and Thing 2 says "three". :-)

I didn't know I had 4 children

This morning I was laying on the couch with Thing 2 and Big Bro climbing over me. Thing 1 was off in a corner playing by herself, but when she was done, she came up to us and wanted to join in.

Me: "All my children can climb on me, I don't mind. M, how many children does Mommy have?"

Big Bro: "Three!"

Me: "How many girls and how many boys?"

Big Bro: "Two girls!"

Me: "How many boys?"

Big Bro: "One!"

Me: "Great job!"

Big Bro: "No! Two boys."

Me: "Two? Where is the other one?"

Big Bro: "IN THE OFFICE!"


NOTE: Daddy was in the office.