Some observations for the last 3 months

Russell began to walk when he was at 11 months. We had refrained from using a walker and I guess that made it even tougher for him (and us) as he had to first learn to get up and balance.
We had read that walkers weren't good for babies development and we decided to take this route. It was definitely more challenging as he was impatient in trying to walk. He started with grabbing the edges of chairs, tables to get up and sometimes would slip and hit his face. Had a few cuts on his lips and blue black bruises on his face during these few months. Well, we think it is better for him to learn through trial and error with some minor bruises as it is more 'real world'. He is an impatient boy and you can tell once he can get up , he tries to get a few steps LEANING forward as if trying to run. Fell flat a couple of times like Charlie Chaplin.

We also noticed Russell likes music. In his Shichida class , his teacher also noted that Russell takes to music. He loves it when songs come up and he gets excited and would be gleefully clapping to the song. When he is agitated, mum would sing to him and it calms him down. He doesn't like to watch TV but doesn't mind songs. So, now we sing him songs and try to incorporate some useful lessons or vocabulary in there since this is a modality that reaches him.

His ESP skills seems quite good. We can hide things and get him to point to objects that we hide and 60% of the time he gets it. Sometimes higher. Guess we got to find more ways to play this game with him.

We also noticed that he likes flashcard. We play with him the Dots and some other picture flashcards. He quite enjoy it and usually it takes about 5-10 mins. He recognizes some of the animals. His favourite is the Tiger which he will growl loudly! When it is a bear, he will kiss it!

He is now beginning to show more interaction in the past few weeks at 1 year old and is able to understand some simple commands. He knows to sit down, put away his shoes, put back things when told to , go and hide when asked. He is also gesturing and pointing to things he wants.
He is getting more vocal and sometimes tries to mimic words we say. When he is excited, he launches into his oratorial episodes, talking his lingo at the top of his voice and gesturing like an actor on stage or a politician delivering a speech. Maybe it's all those footages in CNN and CNBC we keep watching. Well, since he doesn't like to watch his stuff, we watch our stuff.

He has a fascination with doors and always tries to open and close them. He does it in his class , in the playground and at home. Loves turning knobs, closing lids and doors and can spend half an hour in a play toyhouse just opening and closing doors and windows. Obviously, he has slammed his fingers a few times doing this with real doors. Guess it is natural which is why were advised to childproof our house and lock down all cabinet doors and drawers.

From what we noticed, Russell is very forward and likes to play with anyone. He prefers human interaction than to inanimate entertainment like the TV. Tough for mummy 'cos he wants constant attention. When he goes out, he just plays with anyone and pretty much anyone can carry him. We try to encourage that and get into different playgroups so he socializes with other kids.