2010-10-26: Lars and Anne's wedding reception

The family went to the wedding reception of Lars Larsen and Anne Bodily. While waiting in line, Mom and Dad were asking Nigel to practice saying "Anne, you look very pretty." When arriving at the happy couple, Nigel became shy and said nothing. Of course, he recited the statement as soon as they left the line and walked off by themselves.

Nigel remembered that statement for some time to come, occasionally mentioning something about Anne's pretty dress even months later.

2010-10-26: Butterfly dream

Nigel seems to have many fun dreams. Recently, he has talked about riding a kangaroo and about having a butterfly in his crib multiple times each. This morning, he said he gave a black butterfly to Dad.

2010-09: Big toot

Dad has been referring to passing gas as "tooting". One morning, Nigel woke up and asked Dad to come and get him out of his crib, as he typically does. While Dad was on his way in, Nigel must have passed gas quite loudly, for he said, quite excitedly, "Dad, big toot!

2010-09-01: Note to a (Theoretical) Teacher

Dear Teacher,

We wanted to send over some information about Nigel and about our parenting style, in hopes it will be useful to you.

Nigel is a bright and bubbly child, though he is often shy in new surroundings and with new people. Verbal communication has always been an anchor for him. Nigel talks a great deal when he is comfortable in his surroundings and with people he is accustomed to.

Talking with him is one of the best ways to encourage him to perform a task or try new things. Nigel responds well to clear directions most of the time, when not distracted by exciting or interesting diversions. He enjoys helping, and performs tasks like cleaning up reliably, if given clear direction. His attention span for following directions is quite short, however, so frequent instruction is typically necessary.

Talking seems to also be one of the most effective way to calm him when he is upset. Telling him clearly when it is time to stop crying or to calm down often produces good results, getting him to refocus away from the situation or what upset him and onto the person giving the instruction. If successful, his response will be, "Okay."

We are beginning to use time-outs as a measure of discipline, not yet as any sort of punishment, but as a short time to sit and talk very briefly about what to do and what not to do. Taking him out of the situation and talking clearly (and very concisely!) about it has been somewhat effective thus far.

Nigel typically responds very well to a clear and immediate "No" when first doing something inappropriate. If not stated immediately upon his engaging in the inappropriate activity, or if a clear and serious tone is not used, his response to being told "No" is not nearly as good. Note that a threatening tone should not be necessary, simply not a joking or silly tone - plain or serious, depending on the severity of the situation.

Like many, if not all, children, Nigel enjoys personal attention from adults. He loves reading stories, though he is accustomed to cuddling with a parent during storytimes at home. Nigel likes books, but often has a short attention span for new material. His attention span grows dramatically through exposure. Nigel also loves songs and singing. He rarely sings when not alone with Mom or Dad, but often does so when with either parent. He loves listening to music or listening to singing, anytime. He also enjoys performing actions with songs, but is reluctant to do so in new situations. Nigel also loves animals, including cuddling and playing with stuffed animals, dressing up as animals, and playing with other animal toys.

Nigel is beginning to understand sharing and taking turns. He is familiar with those words, and has had some, but not a lot, of practice at them.

Nigel learns well by way of talking. He picks up new words very quickly, and seems to acquire new concepts well if strongly connected with words. Talking about a concept, and emphasizing one (or possibly two) new words along with the idea, seems to be a very effective teaching strategy for Nigel right now.

Christian and Kelly Mansfield

2010-09-01: Note to a (Theoretical) Teacher

Dear Teacher,

We wanted to send over some information about Nigel and about our parenting style, in hopes it will be useful to you.

Nigel is a bright and bubbly child, though he is often shy in new surroundings and with new people. Verbal communication has always been an anchor for him. Nigel talks a great deal when he is comfortable in his surroundings and with people he is accustomed to.

Talking with him is one of the best ways to encourage him to perform a task or try new things. Nigel responds well to clear directions most of the time, when not distracted by exciting or interesting diversions. He enjoys helping, and performs tasks like cleaning up reliably, if given clear direction. His attention span for following directions is quite short, however, so frequent instruction is typically necessary.

Talking seems to also be one of the most effective way to calm him when he is upset. Telling him clearly when it is time to stop crying or to calm down often produces good results, getting him to refocus away from the situation or what upset him and onto the person giving the instruction. If successful, his response will be, "Okay."

We are beginning to use time-outs as a measure of discipline, not yet as any sort of punishment, but as a short time to sit and talk very briefly about what to do and what not to do. Taking him out of the situation and talking clearly (and very concisely!) about it has been somewhat effective thus far.

Nigel typically responds very well to a clear and immediate "No" when first doing something inappropriate. If not stated immediately upon his engaging in the inappropriate activity, or if a clear and serious tone is not used, his response to being told "No" is not nearly as good. Note that a threatening tone should not be necessary, simply not a joking or silly tone - plain or serious, depending on the severity of the situation.

Like many, if not all, children, Nigel enjoys personal attention from adults. He loves reading stories, though he is accustomed to cuddling with a parent during storytimes at home. Nigel likes books, but often has a short attention span for new material. His attention span grows dramatically through exposure. Nigel also loves songs and singing. He rarely sings when not alone with Mom or Dad, but often does so when with either parent. He loves listening to music or listening to singing, anytime. He also enjoys performing actions with songs, but is reluctant to do so in new situations. Nigel also loves animals, including cuddling and playing with stuffed animals, dressing up as animals, and playing with other animal toys.

Nigel is beginning to understand sharing and taking turns. He is familiar with those words, and has had some, but not a lot, of practice at them.

Nigel learns well by way of talking. He picks up new words very quickly, and seems to acquire new concepts well if strongly connected with words. Talking about a concept, and emphasizing one (or possibly two) new words along with the idea, seems to be a very effective teaching strategy for Nigel right now.

Christian and Kelly Mansfield

2010-09: Making hot chocolate

Nigel and Dad enjoy playing with the Swedish Chef kitchen toy together. Nigel particularly likes making something to eat, and his favorite thing to make is "hot chocolate". He will ask again and again, "Dad, can we make some more hot chocolate?"

Making hot chocolate is a detailed process. They start with the tea kettle, filling it with water at the sink. Nigel makes a "glug, glug" sound for the water pouring. Next, the tea kettle goes on the stove to be heated. Dad reminds Nigel to turn the stove on (which he does with a "click, click" sound effect), and they get out one or both mugs, depending on how many they can find. While they wait for the tea kettle to whistle, Dad asks Nigel if they should put mix into the mugs. Once the mix has been poured, Nigel likes for Dad to make the whistling sound for the tea kettle, even though he is quite capable of making a very good whistling sound, himself. Now, when the kettle whistles, Nigel takes it from the stove, and pours its contents into the mugs. Nigel likes the next step: stirring the hot chocolate, then always drains his mug in a single gulp. As soon as it is gone, he typically asks, "Dad, can we make some more hot chocolate?"

2010-08: Hiccing up

Mom, Dad and Nigel were on a walk together, and Nigel had the hiccups. He said, "I'm hiccing up!"