Back to School and New Baby
Not only did our college kids head back to school, but in conjunction with our “in house” kindergarten, first and second grades, we have also started a pre kindergarten aged toddlers learning center. We don’t load the little ones up with too heavy a criteria but we are encouraging them to write and draw and sing and dance. This will prepare them for starting Kindergarten next year. So far they all really enjoy this new addition to their little lives and were all excited when “Ye Ye” (Nathan) walked in to take their picture.
Ye Ye’s next stop was the Kindergarten and the children were doing exercises with the teacher where she would ask them questions and the children would raise their hands if they had the answer. Of course Ye Ye’s appearance in their class disrupted everything.
Ye Ye’s next stop on this picture taking expedition was to the first grade class. Above left to right are Rose, Autumn and Isaac.
The class room is set up for using the ACE curriculum including each child having his/her own “office” (the individual “desk” cubicles you see). In following the ACE program, each child studies at his own pace so most of the time total silence is required so one child doesn’t interfere with the other children. When a child needs help from the teacher, he/she raises his/her flag and the teacher will then give them one on one help.
We have been really happy with the results of our Kindergarten and First and Second grade classes. The children study in Chinese half the day keeping in line with the same subjects the normal Chinese schools teach at these grade levels. They study, Chinese writing, Chinese speaking, Social Studies, Math, Art and Music.
The other half of the day they study in English and their English studies are again, reading, writing, grammar and math.
NEW BABY
While Nathan was in the States to escort Shannon back to China, a new baby was dropped off outside our gate during the night. This little guy only has one problem and that is a “not so severe” cleft lip and cleft palate. All of his other vitals are very good. Strong heart, good lungs and very responsive to sounds and touch. We named him Enoch (Meaning: Dedicated and Enlightened) and he will have his first surgery in January or February.
If you would like to contribute to either Enoch’s monthly sponsorship or to his upcoming surgeries (three will be required) you can do so by going to our donations page.
ORTHODONTICS
As many of you, who have been following the Home of Hope for awhile are aware, our cleft lip and cleft palate children will eventually have to undergo orthodontic treatment to straighten their bite, jaw and teeth.
This last month this treatment started for both Autumn Xiong Duo and Moses Xiong en.
Above Autumn is showing off the mechanical brace that is slowly pulling her jaw and mouth into alignment. There is also a retainer inside her mouth to assist in proper teeth alignment.
Autumn does really well with her treatment including removing the device herself each time to eat and brush her teeth and also putting it back on each time.
Moses‘ situation is more severe than Autumn’s so for now, he needs assistance in removing the mouth piece at each mealtime and for cleaning and brushing his teeth. Other than that, he does really well with the device although he hates to go out in public with it on. That is reversal from what we thought it would be with Autumn not caring if people see her in hers. Mosie really hates to be seen in public with it on.
Orthodontic work is relatively expensive and we have quite a few more children who will need the same treatment. If you would like to help financially with these projects you can do so at our “How I Can Help” section of this web site.
We will keep this site updated as much as possible.
Thank you so much for visiting us!
Posted: August 31st, 2009 under Abandoned Babies, New Arrivals, Special Activities, Surgeries, Uncategorized.