Signing was great for us! DD2 was a difficult baby and I was looking for anything to help end our frustration. Once she could sign basic needs and thoughts, she became a different child at 11 months. She started talking in sentences at 17 months so the signing was short-lived but I think it actually helped her talk earlier than she would have (that's what the research I've read shows also).
As for the math, ds5 has all of a sudden taken a huge interest in math over the past few months. He is still in preschool so I doubt they are covering this. Asks constantly... what is: 4+4? 10+10? 100-1? 10x10? 101+101? 1+2+3+4+5? 256+256? a+a+a? etc. Once he's heard the answer a few times, I'll have him tell me the next time he asks. He usually knows the answer. When do they normally cover this stuff in school?? His questions were getting beyond what I can do in my head so I taught him how to add double and triple digits so he can figure it out himself. He seemed challenged by it but it wasn't over his head. When do kids usually take an interest in numbers like this? I don't always know what I should be showing him because I don't want to get ahead of myself. My degree is in secondary math - I don't have a clue about elementary math.
As we getting closer to Kindergarten next year, I start to wonder if he will be OK or it will just be a whole year of playtime. He needs the social interaction but I don't want him to be bored.
