Ira's eyes on the Ipad

I took this video in reference to some of our conversation of late over Ira and his eyes. I have noticed that even when he is using the Ipad he is positioning himself so he can see it from the side/corner of his eyes. I did a quick test while reading a book and got Ira to point to certain pictures "ie where is the cat" and he found them all quickly. Because I was sitting beside him thou - I couldn't see what his eyes were doing/focussing.

Article - Copy for the blog

I am still waiting to get this story jar thing sorted for Irie (not sure what technical hitch we have hit - but Amanda is going to try and invite you this week) after we get that up and running I suspect we will use it a bit more than this blog! In the mean time here is a copy of the article we did - thought it would be nice to have a digital copy. Thanks for your wonderful feedback about City Kids Maria! It made us feel so special!

Check out this balancing act!

I sometimes forget how far Ira has come since he started. Looking at these latest videos it's easy to forget that when he first started at City Kids he was only just walking. The children have been really enjoying using the jumpy sacks lately and keen as ever Ira wanted to get involved. Here are some videos of him in action

Matts spare helmet

Here are some photos of Ira and one of his latestinterest with Matts scooter and his helmet

Matt brought in a spare scooter for the children to play Ira was first to put it on and thought he would ride the bikes with the scooter helmet on!

He did how ever find it a litter hard (maybe because the helmet is sooo heavy and hard to see out off!!)

Alex had to jump on a bike and ride alongside Mr Ira too!! Afterwards Ira thought it was a lot easier riding the bikes with out the heavy helmet!! He went super fast too! Has Ira been riding Bikes or scooters at home?

Hiding Ira

As Nika wrote a few posts back Ira is very into exploring "hiding games" at the moment. Nearly everyday he will pretend to hide when Dad comes to pick him up - something he seemed to pick up from Edie. Yesterday while outside with Rachel I could hear Ira calling out "RoRo" "RoRo" He was getting louder and louder. I spotted his feet poking out from one of the climbing boxes. Playing along a bit I could yelled out: "Where are you Ira! I can hear you but I can't see you" Ira replied "In here!" We kept the game up for a while me wandering round the playground Ira calling out to me. Rupert came and joined Ira in the box. I finally gave in and came and found him - He was quite insistent that I get in the box with him - however I felt that I was too big! This answer didn't really satisfy Ira - but in the end he was happy to just with Rupert. Here are some photos

Ira and Matt's scooter

Here is a learning story of Ira and his growing interest with motor vehicles. Matt brought his scooter outside for Ira and a few of the other children who wanted to see. Ira was the first one on and was hard to get off he just wanted to take it for a ride!! Hes now wanting to get into my car and go for a ride!!.....

Ira and messy play

I remember when Ira didn't even want to put his hands anywhere near messy play! Here he is getting in and giving it a go. I had mixed powdered paste, water, and dishwashing liquid to create a slimy messy that the children discovered you could make bubbles when you swished it from side to side (this is what Ira is doing in the second video). Ira couldn't really get hold of the spatular at first but kept on trying. It wasn't helping that it was covered in gunk - and very slippery.

Ira dances!

Sorry things have been a bit slow on the Ira blog! It's been full on! But here are some videos I took some weeks back of Ira dancing. It's neat to see him exploring moving his body to music a bit more these days - he has some awesome dance moves!

Ira's learning stories

Here are some learning stories of Ira over the last week or so! playing hide and seek, swinging on the monkey bars and wearing the city kids high heels!! Enjoy :)

Ira sings

As like Rowans post Ira is little bit stage fright when it comes to performing on the camera. Knowing that Ira is very vocal during sleep time i thought I would would try take a video of him singing with out him watching :) here it is!! then he turned his head and spotted me and asked for socks off!! hehe but least you can hear him!
This is a song the older children have been learning at busy tiger time and they as well as the teachers often sing it around the centre. I have been doing it alot with Ira with names in particular Mum, Dad, Edie, Alex, Nika, Rowan, Abbey, Katy, Nikki. He did the Xray one all on his own Heard it for the first time :)

Here is a video of Ira singing one of the songs from Kapa Haka. It is quite hard to get Ira to "perform" when there is a camera in your hand - he seems to get a bit of stage fright. Here he had been singing before and then forgot that I had a camera at all... please excuse my singing at the start of the video! 

Ira helping out!!

Ira dresses up!

Ira on the bike

Here is a video I grabbed this week of Ira on the CK bike. He has come a long way! He is currently mastering his ability to turn corners. He is beginning to understand - but often will get stuck in a corner. Rather than try and go around any obstacle he will rather drop the bike and move on to something else

Here are some photos of Ira exploring the Ipad. He is quite competent at opening and closing applications, flicking through photos and finding various new things to try. Here he was acting as a guide for Jack who has only just started at CK. Ira is a big fan of the "bus" application. He also loves turning on the music, and watching the wonkey donkey on line. He is very capable of asking for what he wants if he can't figure out it himself.

Face Painting

These two Videos of Ira exploring with the face paint. I was cleaning up and Ira moved a chair and stood up on the bench to help me, He then discovered the facepaint tray and started playing with the cotton buds in there. I then asked Ira if he would like to play with the face paint and he said Yes. I moved the face paint onto a table for him to sit down and explore I also grabbed a mirror so that he was able to watch himself in the mirror to see what he was doing.
Since these videos he has loved exploring the face paint and is starting to cover more and more of his face as shown below!

Ira Climbs the ladder!!

Here is A Video of Ira and the ladder which Amanda brought out one late afternoon. Ira and Jaxon each took turns climbing up the ladder. Amanda then challenged them by getting them to take their hands off when the got to the top and to do a wee jump!!
You can see Ira was very pleased with himself!!

Ira writes

Just following up from my conversation with Jacqueline about Ira holding a paint brush as opposed to a pen I found the photo I was wanting to show her. this was taken in June:

Ira writes in his profile book

Ira's Photography Skills

Ira has always loved camera's since he started. Holding on to my camera and saying "cheese" would always bring a big smile. Lately he has managed to start taking photos all by himself.

Here are some examples








I do love the focus on his feet. He has gotten alot better at being bare footed. He used to insist on wearing his shoes or socks at all times but now he is happy to take his socks off a bit more often. Especially in the sleep room where he can turn putting them away under his bed into a bit of a game!

Problem solver

Here is a video of Ira and his mate doing some problem solving. They are spending loads of time together racing round outside with the "buggy" and wheelbarrow. The two have very similar interests: cars, wheelbarrows, making noise and having fun in general! It's been such a pleasure watching this friendship develop.