First off just want to say hi to everyone! I am new here and looking for some advice regarding my son. He is 22 months and quite the little genius. I'm sure everyone thinks that about their own kid right Luke recognizes most of his alphabet and numbers 1 to 10. He knows multiple colors and shapes...even the weird ones like ovals and pink and purple. Animals and the sounds they make...again even weird ones like a toucan... He is not really advanced verbally. I would say he is right where he's supposed to be with that but we are in a growth spurt with that as well, where he is just repeating every word I say. He doesn't do sentences yet. We are working on two word combos like "help please", "juice please", etc. So all that being said, we are homeschooling and I'm wondering if I should start him off with some "curriculum" type stuff since he is in this learning growth spurt right now. Brighter vision has been suggested to me already but I just don't want to jump into one thing without seeing what other parents have liked, especially for a more advanced child. Do you have any suggestions? TIA!
Honestly, at that age I'd just let him play. Talk to him, play with him but don't do a curriculum! Just have fun. He has years and years to do school. I remember with my first it seemed like he was so mature and I expected a lot of him at a young age. Now, a couple more kids later, I see that they are still babies and it's ok to let them be little for as long as possible, they grow up much to soon as it is. So my advice is to bake cookies, drag out the play dough, color pictures, take walks, build castles but don't do formal school.
I personally would not begin a curriculum at his age. Keep things fun and just continue to play. I am a stong believer in letting young children experience and learn things naturally through play and everyday life. Starting a child out that young on curriculum IMHO will do nothing but eventually kill a love of learning because then everything becomes about worksheets and isn't fun anymore. I'd wait until age 3 or 4 and then look into Five in a Row. There are also tons of websites out there that he could play with to learn without doing seat work. Good luck!
I agree with the previous posters. I am sure your son is very bright, but I think the reality is that a LOT of kids would know all those things if their parents made a point of working with them. My twins, boy/girl knew their entire alphabet by sight by the time they were 18 months, and numbers one through 10 around that time. Shapes as well...even pentagons, hexagons, all their colors...you name it. Now obviously my kids are bright, but I don't think they are off the charts gifted or anything. I think they have the benefit of a mom who bothered to teach them those things as they seemed ready. All that being said, I would just relax a little. Teach him things as they come up in your daily life, I don't think you need a curriculum at that age. Just teach him as you live, like a poster said...by baking (they learn measuring, stirring, ingredients, etc.)...by coloring, whatever. One thing you could start working on is concepts like BIG and SMALL, and MORE, and matching, and sorting. Those are all things you can incorporate into your daily life, with out making things too rigid.
Thanks. I hope I didn't come across as bragging. I was not trying to. I was hoping to just give an idea of where he is at cognitively so I could get some relevant suggestions. I don't want to "formally" do anything right now. Its just that now I have the time to devote to him and thought if we got him used to something now, it might be helpful for when his little brother arrives in 4 months and I have less time to dedicate to him exculsively. Like with the brighter vision it would be something that we would just do occasionally, when he felt like it. We do flashcards and a few educational videos and read lots of books but nothing is scheduled or routine. He is just constantly asking, "whats that", and pointing to things he knows. I did not intend to teach him letters and numbers so soon. I just bought him the bath letters and 4 months ago he starts asking me what they all are and retaining what I tell him. Same with colors - you tell him once and he remembers. Again, I hope I do not come across as a braggart, just looking for some ideas. I appreciate your help.
So, what if you did come off as a bragger!!LOL we all brag, because our children are awesome. So, brag all you want! Also if you feel that will work for your family then go ahead and do it. Only you know your child, we can only assume. So, if you think he will do good with it run with it. I have read about so many kids reading by the time they are 3 so maybe he will be one of them. Just remember make it fun.
I am another who isn't big on organized "school" for little ones. They learn so much at that age just by the day to day interaction. If they show interest you run with it and if not you let them play. It sounds like you are doing a great job and your little one is thriving on what you are doing. Keep it up There are some homeschool moms who do what they call Tot School and blog about it. Even though my youngest is 4 I enjoy reading their thoughts and ideas. Here is the main page hope you have fun reading http://lapbooksbycarisa.homestead.com/TotSchool.html
Don't bother with curriculum. Kids need play more then structured, formal learning - especially at that age.
I like Leapfrog things for little ones. I never sat down and "taught" them with it, but they played with or watched the videos and learned that way. I agree that play is the best thing you can do now. Build with blocks and ask him to hand you 5 yellow blocks or whatever, cook together and let him help you measure as best as he can, go on walks and talk about what you see, and read, read, read to him!
Hi, I'm pretty new around here too. It didn't sound to me like you were bragging, but like the other person said - So what if you were?! It's great that your little one knows all of those things! And that you care enough to teach him! I don't want to drive this point into the ground but I too am a firm believer in just letting kids be kids and learning naturally. especially at this age. Honestly if I had it to do over again with my oldest two I'd wait until they were several years older to do 'seat work' unless they asked for it. My youngest is 3. Here are some of the things we do. 1. Read, read, read. He loves it. 2. play computer games - pbskids has some good ones. Word World is fun. 3. play board games. even though he doesn't really follow the directions, it's okay. 4. blocks, jenga, any stack ables 5. painting, coloring, sticker books 6. educational t.v. 7. chores. Yes chores. Even at this age they can learn to have responsibility. And you'll need the help with another one on the way. 8. make believe games. dress up like pirates and go on a treasure hunt. Again, these are just some of the things we do. Just to give you some ideas. I know we all run out of them every now and then. Good luck!
Welcome to the board. . . ;-) I'm actually one that's very against formal curriculum for preschoolers although with that said, I do realize that some of us have to plan days and/or find things to do with the little ones while we teach older ones. However to be blunt, he's too young for formalized curriculum. I will also agree with a pp and say that where he's at cognitively is not especially advanced if you've been working with him. (But you didn't sound like you were bragging at all. . .I just assumed you didn't have a lot of kids to compare him with. . .AND our kids are pretty awesome!) I'll tell you what I do with my preschoolers but first, right before you have a new baby is not really a great time to start anything new. What I would do if I were you, is spend more time with him cuddling etc. to try to lessen the blow when baby comes. You should be preparing for standard acting out upon new baby arrival and you definitely don't want that going on with "school work." You have plenty of years to worry about curriculum. You mentioned that he's in this huge cognitive growth spurt and you're right to want to take advantage of it. . .but kids that age are sponges. ANYTHING you do is going to be a learning experience. Here are some things that I did/do with my preschoolers: *playdough. . .yeah I know it's a mess but sooooo worth it! *field trips *nature walks/scavenger hunts (i.e. can you find the bird?) *games *LOTS of Reading out loud *Mudpies to Magnets--this is science for preschoolers--I loved it with my little kids. *Kids' concoctions Williamson's Kid's Can books have several for 2 to 5 year olds that have tons of activities. *lots of art--painting, stamping, drawing, etc. *music appreciation My two favorite books that I'm actually going through right now with my two preschoolers are the 20th Century Book of Children's Literature and Harper Collins Treasury for Children. The Harper Collins one has suggestions to go with the stories. I also like the Robert McCloskey collections but really. . .just choose good books. Keep in mind that reading out loud is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than teaching letters, numbers, sounds, etc. at this point. Your child will excel far more in reading comprehension and reading skills if you consistently read out loud to him. The same cannot be said for teaching letters and letter sounds. Homeschooling is a wonderful journey--enjoy it with your new baby and your son!
Thank you everyone for all the suggestions. We do alot of this stuff already so it sounds like we are in a good place. We go to a music program once a month, which he loves and of course Sunday mornings at church he dances while we sing. I'm in NY so its cold and snowy this time of year but we just ventured out today for a walk since it was almost above freezing...we used to walk everyday in good weather and play outside all the time. We also do storytime at the library once a week and we were getting out new books for a while but a friend just gave us a ton of new books. We always read before nap and bedtime and then any other time he wants to. The books are all accessible to him so he runs over with them and we read, over and over and over... His birthday is in March so I am telling people to get him play-doh since we don't have any. He has only played with it twice and doesn't really like it yet but I think it will grow on him. We also are gong to ask for finger paints and the like. So I will keep up with the normal age appropriate play learning but when did you actually start "school" with your kids? And how did you decide what methods/curriculum to use? Its all just so foreign to me...hopefully I'll know what we need when we get there...
Hey I just moved from NYC. ;-) I started real curriculum. . .like reading, writing, phonics etc. sometime between 5 and 6. Kind of depended on the child. With that said, my child who is most advanced I started at 7!!! But NY laws are very strict and so I started the year my kids were compulsory age. If we lived here from the get go, I'd probably have started formally sometime between 6 and 7 but again it depends on the child. I found that with my kids they kind of "grew" into it. Like we worked on reading and basic math for awhile before adding anything else.
My oldest two children started public school at ages 4 and 5, pre-K and Kindy. So, I didn't have much say in what they learned or when. With my 3 year old we do all the activities I mentioned earlier and we will just add a few things as we go along. I'm in no hurry with him. He will learn in his own time. I make our curriculum. Some people find it too time consuming, but I love it. It's basically free, which is good on a one income family. And I have plenty of time. I started with the very basics in each subject and slowly build on. We move slowly to ensure they have a full grasp before moving on - unless they express boredom. I also let them choose a lot of the subjects we learn about. It helps them stay interested.
My daughter liked starfall.com when she was little - I'd just click. And our library had "tumblebooks" which are read to them on the computer - just made it more "colorful" I think sometimes. I loved leappads - those things with the books - but neither kid liked them... or they did for a short period and then done. Just play.... there is sooooo much time to worry about "curriculum" later in life - LOL. Shoot I'm sitting here looking at math for next year and different things for both kids already - so chill And yes - I know - your kids are awesome....... mine are better Just kidding - we ALL brag - it's a parental privledge. And no - my dd didn't know all that stuff at an early age because of medical issues with me and she didn't get the time needed - but gotta tell you public school didn't do anything really to help her! Have fun - read - play outside. BTW on the playdoh thing - I bought 2 boxes of the mini/party favor size playdohs through eBay for about $15 a box I think. 2 years later they are finally almost done with them. Reason??? Small little containers - a lot of them! So they don't dry out this huge thing of the color - turned out excellent and I need to look for more as my dd loves playing with the stuff.
here is a cheap edible play dough. My kids love it http://www.recipezaar.com/Edible-Play-Dough-Safe-for-Kids-With-Peanut-Allergies-185158 Ingredients 1/3 cup margarine 1/3 cup light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 lb powdered sugar (more or less) food coloring (optional) Mix margarine with corn syrup, salt and vanilla extract. Add powdered sugar and knead until constancy of play dough. Divide and add food coloring of choice to each section. Knead until color is well blended.
Ooh. Thanks. My kiddos like the Kool aid play doh!!! this one looks interesting as well! I was just thinking of you& the games thread.
Yes, Thanks for the play-doh recipe. I had seen that before elsewhere and thought I would try it in the meantime before birthday comes. Thanks again everyone for the input.
Signing Times Videos are good for the little ones. I agree with the reading! Glad you go to a library program. Keep going to the library! Sing together! Welcome to The Spot!
