What She’s Learning (That Has Nothing to Do With the Alphabet)
(Early Learning – not in lessons, but in life.)
She’s learning how to turn the page.
Literally.
This morning, while I was halfway through brushing my teeth,
I saw her sitting in the corner of the mat,
holding her favorite book upside down,
one chubby finger trying to lift a stuck paper corner.
She didn’t get frustrated.
She didn’t ask for help.
She just kept trying —
with this tiny, focused breath in her nose,
the one she always makes when she’s concentrating.
And I thought:
“You don’t need to know your ABCs yet.
You just need to know curiosity.”
I used to think early learning meant workbooks,
or colorful posters on the wall.
But I’m starting to believe it’s in the quiet repetitions:
- The wooden blocks she stacks (then knocks down, then claps for herself)
- The soft cards we flip together — not to test her, just to say the names out loud
- The mirror book where she stares at her reflection like she’s meeting a best friend for the first time
She’s not memorizing.
She’s exploring.
And I’m learning to follow her lead.
Some days, she just wants to chew on the corner of the number book.
Other days, she brings me the same animal puzzle five times — each time proud like it’s brand new.
And the thing is — I don’t care if she finishes it “right.”
What matters is that she wants to try.
Our “learning shelf” at home is just a small basket:
A few well-loved books
A puzzle or two with large knobs
One of those crayon-free color pads for mess-free moments
And a squishy little toy that squeaks when she’s tired of thinking
That’s it.
Nothing Pinterest-perfect.
But perfect for us.
I’ve stopped worrying about when she’ll “catch up” or “advance.”
Because every day, she teaches me something new:
That discovery isn’t a milestone — it’s a rhythm.
And play is not a break from learning — it is learning.
Soft Baby Discovery Book
Filled with flaps, mirrors, and textures she can explore without pressure. We bring it everywhere — it’s her comfort and her classroom in one.
First Puzzle Set
Chunky pieces, gentle colors, and no wrong way to try. Her hands get stronger, and I get to watch her eyes light up when something clicks.
Montessori-Inspired Learning Basket
Not a toy overload — just a handful of tools she returns to again and again. And I love that it grows with her, not beyond her.