Community Corner
Whiz Kid of the Week: Tenoch Saldaña
This week's Whiz Kid speaks two languages, plays the guitar and is a successful model - and he's only two and a half!
Name: Tenoch Saldaña
Age: 2.5 years old
School: Home Schooled in Clinton Hill
Accomplishments: Not about to coast his way into kindergarten, Tenoch already understands both Spanish and English, and primarily speaks Spanish. According to his mom, Marixsa, he also happily helps out around the house with chores, was potty trained by 26 months, and sleeps in his own bed! But it's not just his parents who are impressed - as a model, Tenoch has appeared in Parents Magazine, a baby fashion catalog, a fashion show and soon will be featured on Huggies Diapers packaging.
Key to Awesomeness: At home, Tenoch is taught with the Montessori philosophy, which respects a child's individual needs and learning mode, and encourages independence and responsibility. Work and play are still all one to this impressive toddler, and he brings the same enthusiasm to cutting cheese and fruits for his snacks as he does to cleaning up after himself and discovering new "toys" in Fort Greene Park.
A budding environmentalist, Tenoch owns few toys, but has learned to be creative by reusing and repurposing everything from kitchen utensils to pine cones on the sidewalk.
Despite his baby fame, Tenoch hasn't forgotten where he came from. He speaks often about the baby girl in mommy's belly and showers mom's belly with kisses daily. As a musician he keeps this generous spirit going. In his daily jam sessions, he always remembers to dedicate songs to his friends, cousins, grandma and, of course, mom and dad.
