5 yr old Faith

June 2007

SN: mild soft cleft palate and developmental delay

Faith was admitted to her SWI when she was approximately four months old

At the age of 6 months, under the financial assistance of the Love Without Boundaries, she left the welfare institute, and entered the foster family. Her foster mother looked after her carefully; her development was some delayed compared with peers; at the age of 7 months, when teased she laughed aloud for the first time, so her foster mother was as happy as a child.

At the age of 10 months, she could turn circles when lying on bed; her neck’s supportive ability was bad, which was always backward; she could make sounds only when crying; at the age of 1 year, she could walk in the walker; at the age of 1.5 years, she could walk with one hand held;

At the age of 2 years, she could walk alone but not very steadily and often fell down. She could hold a biscuit in her hand to eat without help. She could imitate calling mother ponderously, but she could not call actively; when she was unhappy she could cry for a while aloud, but she stopped the crying soon, so she was not a child who liked to shout without reason.

At the age of 3 years, she had more obvious progress, since she could walk more steadily, sometimes she ran for several steps; she had richer expressions, could say hello to people actively; when there were people at home she could let the guests sit down, then she went into the guest’s arms to express her warmth. She could use a small spoon to eat, but she could not control defecation and urination completely, and she often made her trousers wet; every time she was shame-making, but if the adult did not criticize her but taught her to pay more attention patiently, she could have grateful smile.

Now she is 4 years old, she could take off clothes, could put shoes and socks alone, could control her toileting well; she knows to wash hands before meals, and she could remember the address of all members of the foster family, could say sentences of 3 words, but the speech is not very clear; she says sentences of 4 words unclearly; she has little vocabulary, but she know adults’ meaning.

She is a optimistic child, could be warm with people actively; every time when we take photos of home visit, she could take out her best status with a beautiful smile; she is a little girl who likes to be pretty, and she likes wearing flower clothes, since she does not like the clothes with single color; she likes to play games in the park best; every time when she gets to the park she will jump and cheer, just as a happy bird. She does not like to stay in the room to watch TV; when she is unhappy she pouts her mouth, and she does not talk to anyone, but when her requirement is satisfied, she has her smile on face.

July 2012 UPDATE: Faith is 5 years old, in preschool as other kids. She can recognize 1-5 numbers, remember 3-4 poems. She can self control potty in day time, occasionally needs help in potty. If she drinks too much, she wets bed in night. She can say normal words in daily life. She will raise hands to tattle 'not following teachers' for other kids. She speaks not very clearly but understandable. She can eat, put on clothes, zip clothes and wash hands and feet by herself.

Faith is a happy child. She will greet people warmly. When taking pictures, she would show her best looks and smiling. She is a girl loves pretty not solid colors. She like to play games in parks. Every time in parks, she cheers, jumps like a happy bird. She does not like to stay home watching TV. If she is not happy, she will raise lips not associating with people. If she is satisfied, she will change into smiling face. She behaves well in preschool and actively cooperates with teachers.

Contact AdvocatingMomma@aol.com for more information.