Subtracting Oranges

Zoe always surprises me!

I was sitting at the table peeling a Satsuma, with the bowl full of them in front of me, when Zoe started showing me that she knows how to subtract. She said, Mommy there are five oranges and if I take away one there will be, one, two, three, four.

Then Mommy if I take away one there will be one two three.

Then Mommy if I take away one there will be one, two!

Then Mommy if I take away one, there will be ONE!!!

Then if I take away on there won’t be ANY oranges left!

First off, I have to say, my mouth hit the floor. I was in shock that my daughter understood the concept of subtraction. I am not the kind of mom that sits down with my kids and teaches them things. My little sponges that they are, soak up information when I least expect it.

We spent December using an advent calendar and without even realizing it, I taught my 3 year old how to subtract. We would count how many days were left until Christmas every day, and I didn’t even think of it at the time, but I taught my daughter a life long lesson!

HA!

Sometimes this parenting thing is so EASY! (of course the other shoe will drop tomorrow!)