At first, we really took our time with the puzzle and I went over the name of each state and we talked about where it was in relation to other states. We frequently talk about other states in our house anyway...usually in some sort of sporting reference, so she knew the names of many of the states already.
She started surprising me with her knowledge of the state and where it went. For example, she grabbed Tennessee and Kentucky, told me what their names where (correctly) and placed them in the correct place on the puzzle board. She then grabbed West Virginia, asked me what it was called and after I told her West Virginia, she informed me that it goes right next to Kentucky. I was a little thrown off because I didn't realize she knew that yet.
She now can put the entire thing together on her own. Taryne also knows the names of all of them, but does ask about a few occasionally. I think the biggest surprise to me is that she knows the difference between states that have similar shapes. For example, she knows the difference between Wyoming and Colorado, Alabama and Mississippi, North and South Dakota, and Indiana and Illinois. She also knows that her cousin, Theia, lives in Maryland and her Aunt Joy lives in Alabama.
She also likes to tell me which state she wants to do next, find it in the pile and then place it where it goes. She quizzes me on the states. Which is too funny! I tell her I don't know and she gives me this look and then tells me the state's name.
I love how she also tells us the places she plans to live. She lives in Texas, but is going to live in Tennessee and then Washington. I am sure none of that has been influenced by her parents.... :)
Until next time...Gig'em!
