Toddler Teaching

Yep, just the everyday things. Count the stairs as you go up them.
Have the ABC magnets on the fridge. Play with playdoh and sand.
READ, Read, read! Sing songs. Tell him what you are doing. Cook with him. Paint with watercolors. Teach him sign language. Teach him the names for his feelings. Teach him empathy. Make a ramp for his cars and teach him physics! Up, down, under, over are just words on flash cards but you can teach him the real thing.

Go to the library. The children's librarian will have lots of ideas for books, even song books. Get developmentally appropriate books.

Flash cards are a crutch. You have so much more to give him!

ETA: LOL! After the SWH!

Start with colors.... choose a color of the day (or week)..... show it to him, have him name it, and then go on walks looking for that color....

If possible, bring that color into every activity you do that day.... the food he eats, the clothes he wears, the toys he plays with.

Keep repeating the colors....

Do the same thing with numbers, and letters......

Don't expect him to be able to "read" flash cards..... just learning primary items like colors, numbers, and letters is PLENTY at that age.

Edit: So are you trying to teach your 2 year old presidents and countries or are you looking for things for the future?

At 2 years old every day things are the best teaching items.
As the day goes on talk to him about what colors every day items are. What color are his shoes, shirt, pants, cup, plate.
What shape is the wheel on his toy car, the table in the living room. Cut his sandwich into triangles and teach him as such.
Count how many grapes you put on his plate or how many rocks he has.
When he points to something say "Yes, that is a cat" "Yes, that is the car".
You don't need flash cards and work books at 2. A 2 year old doesn't have the patience for that. They need to relate it to the world around them for it to really be understood and "stick".
The best way at this age is to just have a running narrative to your day together. Don't talk in baby talk. Talk in real sentences, using real and full words.

Added after your final SWH - the reason your SWH hasn't been reported for flaming is because you really need the advice you've been given here. I feel sorry for you and your son because you are SO easily offended, that you won't take the advice you desperately need. You are a NEW mom. The people giving you advice here are NOT new moms and they know the score. Do your friends have to walk on eggshells around you? You are only hurting yourself like this...

Original:
What would help you a lot is to read about 2 year old child development. This helps you know what they can and cannot be expected to know and learn. It is very frustrating for you and your child if you don't understand where they are supposed to be developmentally.

I think most of the moms had good suggestions. I used to work with a todder group and here are some things they really liked doing:

Baby doll play (learning about their world and themselves)
simple blocks (invaluable)
play doh
markers (expect them to play with the caps... a lot)

If you can, a sensory tub is wonderful. You do need to supervise.
Fill with:
rice
barley,
beans
water
soapy water
colored water
water and cornstarch in the bottom (do not put cornstarch down the drain unless you want to hire a plumber-- it will clog. Bale out water first, then remove cornstarch into trash.)

You can offer measuring cups, dry goods containers for filling. Let your child color the rice with food coloring, stirring it drop by drop in the bowl with a fork. You can add plastic animals to 'wash', shells, glass stones--- whatever you think your daughter can safely handle.

Educationally-- sing the ABCs, write the ABCs, count, write numerals... do this in a fun way. Use books which introduce letters, number, color, counting concepts as well as logic concepts. Talk about these things as life happens. If he's coloring, or marking, then narrate: "you are making brown lines. Your brown lines are so big!" or "I see you have three crackers on your plate. Let's count them." Life is full of little opportunities to teach in the moment, so it's not so much about using a perfect tool in as much as it is knowing when you have a good moment to 'notice' something which would be interesting to you both.

ETA: Doris suggested reading up on child development for twos and toddlers-- this might be a good place to start. This site is very on target:
http://www.allthedaze.com/development2.html

Take your child for a walk and name everything you see. Talk about what you are doing as you go through your day. When playing with toys talk about the shapes and colours of the toys. Read lots of board books together, and let your child have access to lots of books. Take your child to lots of different environments and around lots of different people. Sing lots of songs and nursery rhymes to your child.

ETA: At the age of two he doesn't need to learn the presidents or countries. He needs to learn about the world around him, how to communicate, how to get along with others and how to take care of his own physical needs. That is a tremendous amount he needs to learn, so don't waste your time with stuff he doesn't need to know!

Hi M.,

As a certified teacher and certified parenting teacher/speaker, I think it is important to know that toddlers need the adult to take the lead in reading toddler stories, reciting and teaching simple rhymes, singing simple songs, stacking blocks/cups, scribbling w/ crayons, playing on playground equipment (gross motor skills), pretend grocery store, visiting the library, "paint" the driveway with water, "sort" laundry (make piles of socks, etc.., play "zoo" with stuffed animals, visit a zoo, take him grocery shopping and talk about the foods are placing in the cart, let himparallel play with other children his age, go to the beach (digging, swimming, picnic)...ETC...So I can't say that a method is best!

As far as flashcards go, you can accomplish the same thing w/ simple toddler board books that are made up of photos. If your child enjoys the flashcards...they are fine to use! Yet, if your son does not show an interest in them...then, stop.

Toddlers usually love short rhyming stories. As a toddler gains language skills...s/he will recite some of the words!

Toddlers usually love music...Put on some music and dance !
Purchase a CD that has the following songs: ABC's, Hokey pokey,
Twinkle, twinkle little star, etc...Sing them in the house...Then, play the CD in the car and sing them.

When my kids were little, I set up a water table in the back yard. They would stand at the water table and fill small tupperware containers, dump the water, fill it again, stir the water with a plastic spoon, make "soup", etc... This is a science lesson !

Toddlers can be very self-centered...which is normal. So "teaching" sharing (over time) is important. Also, tantrums usually come into play. So, teaching a toddler that while it's ok to tantrum...redirection given by the parent teaches self-control and social/emotional growth, too.

Some toddlers love to be at the playground for hours, others like to play with indoor toys...some with sit and listen to 5 books in a row, while another toddler with sit for 1 story.

When my daughter was 3, she loved dogs ! So, I copied 15 separate pics of dogs...all different breeds (a black poodle, a white bichon, etc..) I would tape a pic of 1 dog behind the drivers seat and in front of my child.
She would pick a "dog of the day" to tape to the seat. We would talk about the dog...and extend on the language. **When she was 3, her favorite learning game was to play "mailperson." She would "write" letters, put them in a bag and "deliver" them to the stuffed animals that were spread out ALL acroos my LR floor. Her other favorite thing to do was to clean...sweep, dry swiffer the floor, etc...

He has the rest of his life for school, structured learning. Please let him be a little boy. What is the rush. No matter what you teach them, by the time they are six everyone is on the same level. He will only be this age once, just enjoy him.

M.:

Your son is 2 years old. While I "get" you wanting your child to know the Presidents and Countries of the World.....he is TWO YEARS OLD....let him be a child...

work with him on colors, shapes, sizes, etc. NOT Presidents and Countries...let him explore with colors, let him walk around and FEEL the trees, COUNT the trees...see the house numbers and recognize them...

but really - he's TWO!!! Let him learn "naturally" - save the flash cards for kindergarten - math and spelling - but now? Work on shapes, sizes, colors, numbers....

want to add a President in? Great!! but do NOT expect a two year old to recite the Declaration of Independence!!

try this...
http://www.livestrong.com/article/497839-brain-developmen...

After reading your what happened, sheesh!

You got the best answers you could get after all you asked a ridiculous question. Teaching a two year old presidents and learning the countries? Give me a break! No child needs to learn that until fourth grade, why on earth would you even try to teach it to a two year old?

I can see it now, he gets to kindergarten, doesn't know how to count, doesn't play well with other kids, has no socialization skills but hey! he knows the presidents!

How about instead of making stupid what happens that make you look immature and ignorant, you start considering most of us have raised kids far beyond where you are now and actually know what is important.

Oh I see from your other question he isn't potty trained, work on that. He doesn't know words? but you want to teach him countries?

You can't build on anything until the foundation is there. He needs to learn words to communicate before he can build on that.

My 2 year old is far ahead of where his older brothers were at the same age (and they ain't no dummies). I don't do any formal instruction with him--no flashcards at all for his age. Kids this age learn best through play (I taught pre-school for 3 years, and have a secondary ed teaching license).

The closest thing to flash cards that I have is an alphabet set with cards. On the cards are printed letters and a picture with a cut-out space for the plastic/magnetic letter to fit into. A = Apple, etc. We spread them out on the floor and my son will go to find the right letters to put into the space, and then we'll arrange them in alphabetical order, while singing the ABCs. I'll also help him go around the room and find other things that might start with the letter A - airplane, etc., and set them on the card too.

We also have foam bath letters that we play with. He puts them on the wall, and we'll try to put them in order. I'll hold up the letter T and repeat "T, T, T is for....TOES" and then pick up his foot and place the letter on his toes, and so forth.

Try not to overthink it. Do themed crafts, fingerplay, songs, food prep, fine motor activities to encourage his development. Fun is the key to it all.

ETA: What the heck will a 2 year old do with a list of the presidents? I used to know the whole list too, when I was in 8th grade, but I certainly don't recall them all in order now. But, do you want to know what? That didn't prevent me from earning my degree in History or for getting a Social Studies teaching position at an elite college prep school.

By the way, I just went through and read all the other replies, and nowhere did I see a "duh approach." I saw several posts with very helpful advice. Sometimes you just need to assume that those who are answering your questions have good intentions.

We are homeschoolers, and I'm telling you that using flash cards and any kind of "above and beyond" learning is going to either make your child hate learning or he will "memorize" things that have NO significance to him therefore are totally useless.

Child-led learning is the best. At age two he is just making connections to the world around him. See what he's interested in and expand on it. Does he like trains? Plants? Animals? Take him places. Give him experiences.

We do a LOT of hands-on with our homeschool and my daughter is going into 7th grade homeschool. She learned the best when it was child-led, and in a way she was interested in. There were even so many things that we set aside and waiting for her to mature before we tried again. Like telling time.

Everything will happen in its own time. Flash cards and extra stuff isn't going to make your kid any "smarter." Keeping his interest up in what's around him will make him a lifetime learner.

Read little cardboard book stories to him and sing!
Little kids LOVE listening to songs.
Some have hand motions to them.
The Eeensy Weensy Spider
The Wheels on the Bus
Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
etc
Right now it's the interaction with you where he'll learn the most.
For now don't worry about flash cards or workbooks.
Save that stuff for 1st or 2nd grade.

He's 2, let him be 2! At that age he doesn't need to know the presidents to countries. Teach him his colors and numbers and leave it at that til he starts school. Read books to him, and sing songs.

Learning the presidents and countries at 2 yrs old?!?!
How about letting him be a kid? Crazy idea, I know……..

hands-on activities are best for your son's age group.

put away the flash cards, bring out the puzzles & blocks.

broaden his horizons by exploring the world around him.

It's the best you can do....for this age group.

go to the library.. get books.. lots of books.. read to him every day.. read read read. go for walks.. talk to him.. cook with him. join a mom and tot playgroup.

2 year olds do not need formal teaching they need to experience the world with their mom right by their side..

I remember wondering the same thing when my oldest was little. I kept thinking I should be DOING something with him. My mom has her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 3), and she told me all he needed was me. Seriously? There had to be more to it than that! But she was right.

At that age children are naturally very inquisitive. Also, the world seems different everyday, so there's something in their world everyday that is new and exciting and different.

I am not the type of person who enjoys spending a lot of time at home. I enjoy my home the most when I've been really busy and am ready to relax. So I signed us up for different parent/child classes - YMCA, park district, play groups. It was good for him to socialize a bit, but it was really for me. The activities were all things he liked, but he would have been content doing the same old thing at home. It was really good for me to get out of the house, meet some other moms and just socialize a bit myself.

But he was fine. Everything is learning to him.

Kids this age learn best through play. You have to work the teaching/learning into games, pretend play, and creative projects to make it fun, engaging and to put it in a way they can understand. Two year olds shouldn't be learning from flashcards and workbooks (nor should three and four year olds)

Let the formal teaching start in kindergarten. For now, buy educational toys and games that you can play together. Discovery Toys is a great company and your son will learn a ton. PM me if you want info on how to get their toys (I'm a consultant, though not active right now).

If you want to go above and beyond, find ways for your child to experience learning in the real world. Teach him science by taking him to nature centers, history museums, national parks, etc. Teach math by counting things as you pass them - how many stop signs are on this road, how many cracks are in the sidewalk on our block, how many steps will it take to get upstairs to your room, how fast can you change your clothes, etc. Teach reading by reading to your son. The more books you read to him, the better.

Please don't burn your son out at age two by teaching him presidents (in CA, this is taught in fifth grade) and countries (sixth grade). He's only going to be a toddler for a short time, let him enjoy it and learn through play. There is absolutely no reason for a toddler to be learning something SO academic and unrelated to his real life (he has NO idea what a president is/does and has no need to learn the names of all the countries). How will those things benefit him now, or even in the next five years? They won't.

Please let him be a toddler. They have enough to learn without adding civics and geography.

M. -

Not sure if you have this sort of resource where you are, but our dollar stores in NYC, and other discount outlets carry laminated sheets and puzzles. You just need to double check them for accuracy.

I get your inclination. Rather than have your kid learn the names to say all the warner brother's characters you'd have him learn the names of the presidents. Go for it.

Sorry I can't offer you anything more concrete. As for our own two and a half year old, we have him in daycare, and in speech and play therapy. He gets so much structured instruction, we do more free form stuff at home, like hoping as we count to ten, and measuring while we cook, and matching socks, etc. We also talk about cars and motorcycles, trains and airplanes, and we try to deliberately introduce some new topical vocabulary every day.

i.e.
ME -look at that blue motorcycle, I wonder what color helmet the driver will be wearing.
DS- blue
ME- Maybe

Me- What's that on his eyes?
DS - Glasses.
Me- They look like glasses. Motorcycle drivers wear a special type of glasses called goggles.
Airplane pilots used to wear goggles too. Sometimes people use goggles at the pool to keep the water out of their eyes.
DS- I close my eyese when we use blue shampoo.

We might talk about goggles when we relay our walk to grandpa, and he might bring them up later that day or the following day.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

I can see that you are feeling a little hurt and offended by some of the answers that you have been given, and I want to start by saying that I mean you no offence at all. Although some of the moms who answered your question could have dialed back on the sarcasm, it is true that young children really learn best by doing fun, active things rather than using workbooks or flashcards. There is of course no harm in using the occasional worksheet or set of flashcards, but they are not as beneficial as you may think. Here is a link to a NY Times article which you may find useful: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/simon-says-dont-... Now, to be clear, I AM NOT CALLING YOU A BAD MOM, on the contrary, I can tell that you really, really care about your son and want him to learn and grow and that is commendable! The good news is that you can relax, the activities which will be most beneficial for your son at this age are all fun and fairly easy to do! Take him to the library for story time and to check out books, read to him every day, take him to parks and on nature walks and talk about everything that he sees and is interested in, this will build his vocabulary better than anything else. Play games together, bake cookies together, talk in simple terms about the chemistry of baking. My mom did an experiment with me when I was little where we made the same recipe but left out a different ingredient each time to see how it would turn out differently, I still have very fond memories of that! Do some simple science experiments together, check out pintrest and spoonful for some great ideas! Here is a link to some science experiment ideas: http://spoonful.com/family-fun/top-15-home-science-experi... Do lots of crafts together, and remember that with young children it is the process of art that is the important part, not the beauty of the finished product. Try finger painting with instant vanilla pudding with some food coloring in it, that is really fun and he can lick his fingers! Or color some shaving cream and have him "paint" with it in the bath, that is some good, clean fun! Just enjoy your time with your son, that is the greatest gift that you can give him. You really are the BEST teacher he will every have, and you are teaching him not just academic subjects, but how to live a full and happy life.

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready is a great resource, a book of ideas birth through 5 years to get them ready for learning!!