https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 30 May 2026 18:35:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2403090 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 12:24:52 +0000 looch 2403090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: I know this thread is kind of old, but I wanted to chime in on the European vs. American education systems. My husband and I are a few years apart in age, one of us educated in the US, the other in Europe and in our adulthood ended up working at the same global company. I think my husband is actually more intelligent than I am on an IQ basis, I have a more advanced degree, but we both have the exact same skill set when it comes to coping in a work environment. Did we learn differently, yes, but we both learned. I think the only real advantage my husband had was earlier exposure to foreign language. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2397980 Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:34:45 +0000 ShootingStar 2397980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: @plantains: Crazy may not have been a good choice of words. However, I do think that some of those toys are not age appropriate. Several of them are recommended for 3+, if not higher. And the blogger in question does not even have a 2 year old yet. So to write an entire blog post sounding like an expert and recommending toys that require skills most 2 years old may not have, is ill advised to me.</p> <p>I'm not saying anyone here shouldn't be buying letter or number related toys. I'm saying a blogger shouldn't be recommending non age-appropriate things when they aren't an expert and do not even have a child in that age range. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2397813 Wed, 23 Dec 2015 06:00:17 +0000 rachiecakes 2397813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: my son wanted a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree last year from Santa, I had to order from a teachers supply website, haha<br /> Like you said, he loves letters and numbers like some kids love trucks or puppies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2397811 Wed, 23 Dec 2015 05:58:31 +0000 rachiecakes 2397811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends on the kid as well. My son was in daycare until 2.9 when he started preschool. He loved his daycare but he really loves and thrives in preschool. Especially when they learn something new. He wants to know how to spell everything. If I give him crayons and paper he will write letters and words instead of draw. He even makes letters out of blocks/Legos.<br /> We don't push learning on him but he really enjoys it. He read me a book last night by sounding out words &amp; I was shocked.<br /> I worry when he gets to kindergarten he'll get bored easily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2397801 Wed, 23 Dec 2015 05:15:02 +0000 erinpye 2397801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: @plantains: agree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2397708 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 23:33:20 +0000 plantains 2397708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: seems pretty harsh to call the blogger crazy. Like yet another iteration of Mummy wars. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2397685 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 22:38:10 +0000 daniellemybelle 2397685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: Crazy, really? I am confident we are not "pushing" LO at all but she has some of those toys or very similar just because letters and numbers really interest her. Just like trucks or puppies, some children are very drawn to text, colors, etc. As long as you are following their lead, I don't understand how it is "nuts" to have toys oriented around letters and numbers? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2397335 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 15:44:08 +0000 Raindrop 2397335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Thanks for sharing that article. I thought it was a good read.</p> <p>I usually just take cues from my kids. I do spend a lot of time doing what they are interested in and I think from that they just naturally learn things which is great. </p> <p>I do seriously think Endless Alphabet taught my oldest one ABCs. Haha. Also Umizoomi taught him numbers. It was what he liked to play with and what he wanted to watch. I was okay with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2397228 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 14:47:04 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2397228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: It is totally okay to be that parent :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2397223 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 14:44:50 +0000 erinpye 2397223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: yes, children can learn letters without you directly teaching them. I have 2 to prove it. They hear it once, never forget it, and don't need repetition. 2% of the population is like this. I did not care or expect my 1 year olds to learn them, but they did, and would point to signs, lettered clothing, a pillow with letters, anything, and ask "what's this‽" and then scream out the answers. It was bizarre, but it's not impossible and I've had a hard time with people who state it's simply not possible without repeated instruction. It is not the norm, but it is not impossible either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2396865 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 11:19:18 +0000 littlejoy 2396865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: My LO (two years old, next month) attends a RIE/Montessori school ... I've asked about this exact same thing (worried that we weren't teaching her enough), and they stressed that sensory, situational, and outdoor explorative play is so crutial right now, and that academic learning is secondary until they're older. I trust them, and go with that. With that said, if it fits into something she's doing ("Oh! I see you chose the orange marker!") we totally do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers/page/2#post-2396701 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 10:00:00 +0000 Corduroy 2396701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids go to a daycare that is on the pushy side of early learning. There are flash cards and worksheets occasionally. As previously mentioned you can't force a toddler to learn. If LO doesn't want to look at flash cards she'll simply go away. She loves worksheets. She thinks connect the dots are magic. </p> <p>I have straight out laughed when told my DD wouldn't sit for circle time at 10 months. With all her 'academic achievements' I just smile and ask what fun things she did that day. </p> <p>If it stops working for us or LO seems stressed we would definitely leave. I just don't think we're ruining the kids yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396630 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 09:24:46 +0000 Orchid 2396630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: @Cherrybee: @daniellemybelle: @Pumuckl: @Mrs. Lion: </p> <p>Thank you for your responses!! I am sorry if I made it seem like I was accusing parents of pushing learning on their toddlers! I do realize that all kids are different and different approaches are necessary in different families. No judgement at all. I am just trying to figure out what will work for us.</p> <p>At the same time, for our family, I am choosing not to focus on direct instruction. You have to actively teach a child how to identify letters; you have to point them out, repeatedly. It may be child-directed at later stages, but there's no way they can learn to identify letters and numbers without instruction on it. True, that instruction might be lighthearted and based on play, but there is direct instruction involved. And I am wondering how much of that I should incorporate.</p> <p>Kids may indeed organically develop interests, but I think parents can drive and heavily influence interests. My kid has zero interest in letters because I have no alphabet books, magnets or puzzles. He is crazy about construction vehicles and diggers and all things mud, but that's because I have fostered and encouraged those interests. So I think as parents we foster interests, and I am beginning to think I should focus more on fostering an interest in letters, numbers and the like.</p> <p>Truly, there's all this hype around the education systems and approaches in Europe, and all these research studies that suggest that those kids do better in the long-term, but it is nerve-wracking when your friend's kids know so much more "academically" as compared to your kid. I know, I know ... Don't compare. But really, can you help it? I can't. I just don't want my kid to be behind and to suffer because of it. A lot of what I am reading suggests focusing on executive function through independent play and imaginative play, but if that isn't what is important for my kid to be successful academically here, then I need to figure out the right balance.</p> <p>@MrsLion: Thanks for the feedback! Its reassuring. I don't know, maybe I'll just be that parent with the kid that doesn't know his letters! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396620 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 09:15:56 +0000 Anagram 2396620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To me, a child knowing their letters or numbers, or how to count or read early is no different than another child being above average in say, dance or soccer or cooking, because it's an activity the family enjoys and the kid asks to do and the parents roll with it. I was reading before I started kindergarten and to be frank, I am one of 6 kids and my parents both worked full time AND owned a business on the side together and I can promise you, they never sat me down to "teach me" anything. They didn't have time. But they *did* read to me all the time, and we didn't have tv and my older brothers and sisters were really into reading, and I somehow just picked it up on my own quite early. </p> <p>I have a friend with a LO who loves golf, of all things. I guess they gave him a toy golf club at some point and he became obssesed with it, so they got him more toys and he started watching golf on TV and now I think he actually goes mini golfing with them and is really great at it and he's only 2.5! Meanwhile, I seriously doubt my 2.5 year old could even hit a ball with a small golf club. 1) she hasn't show an interest so we've never tried 2) we haven't been going out all the time "practicing" because that's not an interest of my LOs. But the fact that my friends child is so good at golf so early doesn't make me suspect that they are forcing him to learn it, you know? I can see that they have organically developed his interests after his own obsession bloomed, and I think that's great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396520 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 07:40:41 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2396520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been thinking a lot about this thread...and I think there is one clear problem when it comes to the idea of "pushing early learning". </p> <p>Kids learn more in the first 5 years of their life than any other period of time. I am sure most educated parents have heard that before. So there is this hyper awareness that they have to make this time count. </p> <p>The problem is that many times parents equate learning with school subjects, and assume that early learning means learning those things early. This couldn't be further from the truth. Early learning begins at birth. A 2 month old baby who lays on the floor observing the environment around them is learning. A 6 month old who is developing the motor skills to roll and crawl and sit is learning. A 2 year old who builds a tall tower with blocks is learning physics and math. A 3 year old who engages in imaginary play is practicing the way relationships work by acting out what she has seen modeled for her. These ARE learning. And they are the things that kids need. </p> <p>Some kids may have an early fascination with letters and numbers. My own almost 3 year old can identify all of his letters and numbers through 10, but only because he has picked up on it through conversation. We read a lot, we talk a lot. He has some number and letter puzzles that he loves (along with lots of other puzzles that he loves), and like a lot of people have said before, he picked these things up naturally...we didn't force any of it. But if he went to school never having seen the alphabet because he was building and knocking things down and running and exploring the plants outside, he would still pick these up quickly upon entering school, because his brain has been primed for language from the beginning. </p> <p>I also think that some parents equate learning numbers and letters with math and reading, when really it is such a small part of the big picture. A child who can count 5 objects is far ahead of a child who can name the numbers to 20, just like a child who can retell a favorite story and explain what the characters are doing is far ahead of a child who can sing the alphabet song. The goal is comprehension and being able to apply knowledge, not rote memorization. Workbooks and flashcards encourage memorization, not comprehension and application. </p> <p>All that said, I think it is really wonderful that there is such a huge push for early learning in our country...now we just need to educate the public on what early learning should look like, instead of trying to move learning that is appropriate for older students earlier and earlier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396512 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 07:24:48 +0000 travellingbee 2396512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do not do educational activities at home other than reading books. I don't believe in flash cards or worksheets for any age, frankly. (I'm a teacher.)Our daycare is great and DS loves it. They do fun activities very much in line with that article. Talking, inquiry based play activities and DS learns so much. I'm constantly amazed by the connections he makes and how much he understands about concepts. He'll be 3 in March and knows how to count and say his ABCs but can't ID many letters or numbers and I'm very unconcerned. We haven't "worked" on any developmental milestone- haven't taught him to crawl, talk, or even ride a bike, just provide him opportunities and he's done everything when he was ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396491 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 06:19:52 +0000 Pumuckl 2396491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: I'm in Europe and the approach here is totally different. Here kids start learning letters and numbers when they go to school at age 6 or 7. They count before that and reading to them is pushed just as much as it is in the US but no letter/written numbers learning here. They can only be kids for such a short amount of time that really I don't want to force them into anything that I don't have to (unlike manners etc.). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396464 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 03:12:15 +0000 lamariniere 2396464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 2yo and an almost 5yo, who will start the equivalent of kindergarten in the coming year. We have done very little "learning" at home. I leave learning activities to daycare, which has a preschool aspect to it with learning through play. By all accounts (teachers, other people's observations), my older LO is very bright, but he does not know how to read, not even sight words (but he does know numbers and letters). I think parents can get very stressed about checking off academic milestones, but my feeling is that it is important to encourage their interests and let them learn all sorts of concepts through things they love. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396278 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 20:01:40 +0000 lilteacherbee 2396278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: @Anagram: So much yes! I taught pre-k for five years and the range of knowledge these kids came in with at 4 years old was astounding. A lot of the time, the kids' specific interests made a huge impact. Some kids were extremely excited about sports, so they naturally were advanced in physical areas whereas others loved counting, letters, etc all on their own. My classroom was based on free play centers where kids would cycle through and find things to do based on their interests. By the end of the year, most students knew what they should before entering kindergarten, but they got there in their own way, in their own time, with help from teachers, parents, and peers.</p> <p>My own 2 year old is obsessed with naming colors, letters, and most recently, counting. We talk about those things in our daily lives and he picks up on them. He was an early talker and I think the fact that he's been able to communicate pretty efficiently has helped with his learning in "academic" areas. That said, he's always been slower on physical milestones and didn't walk until almost 15 months. I just let him do his thing and try to foster his love of learning wherever that leads him.</p> <p>@ShootingStar: Yeah... Flash cards for 2 year olds is nuts. We would have lost our state accreditation at my preschool if those were in the toddler classroom and used in a rote way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396267 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 19:53:08 +0000 BKCaribBaby 2396267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We bought her a Melissa Doug alphabet and numbers puzzle. That's it. Other than that nothing. We read a lot to her, but she has been naturally interested on her own in numbers and letters. We don't do any flash cards or any set time where we sit and learn. If she asks about numbers and letters, we'll look at them. It's really her asking for things through her play, which I don't structure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396255 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 19:40:55 +0000 Silva 2396255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For what it's worth, I actually am trying to avoid teaching letters and numbers to my 2.5 year old. She knows the first letter to a couple names (mama, daddy, her name, etc.), and can count to 10. If she is counting actual items maybe to 5. If we read an alphabet book I just read it. I don't ask her to point out or identify letters. I don't like to "quiz" her. Sometimes she does it organically. If she asks I will answer. We have letter magnets but she usually just matches colors or pretends they are something else.<br /> I read about 20 books a day and we talk a lot. I am certain she will pick things up quicly in preschool next year. If she doesn't, I will help her more in kindergarten.</p> <p>I don't think it's important or necessary for her/our family. I've read a lot about Waldorf educational philosophy (among others) and it resonated for me. There isn't a Waldorf school close enough, or I'd send her there for kindergarten to avoid what I consider to be prematurely teaching reading. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396241 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 19:20:05 +0000 ShootingStar 2396241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that blogger is crazy. My two year old wouldn't have any interest in most of those toys. And some of them were listed as recommend for kids 3,4 and even 7! I'm sorry but flashcards with a 2 year old is nuts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396170 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:51:58 +0000 catomd00 2396170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just let DD be and have been really surprised at how much she has picked up just from the environment. i think there's such a wide range of normal at this age that you shouldn't worry until your Ped does. we all learn at our own pace. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396163 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:46:21 +0000 honeybear 2396163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My approach to seeing stuff about "early learning" was to 1) take a moment to stress out a little, and then 2) carry on doing what I felt was the right thing for my child.</p> <p>When my LO was 2, I would have looked at that same blog post and stressed out. He would not have been interested in those toys. (I know this for sure, because sometime between 2 and 3 I bought him a counting puzzle like the one pictured, and several years later, it's about to be taken to the Salvation Army virtually untouched!) </p> <p>Anyhow, from my vantage point as a parent of a 5 year old, I highly, highly recommend continuing to do what you're doing--getting outside and reading and talking a lot--and trying to avoid all the angst-inducing stuff online about "early education." It's mostly all a sales pitch, including that Atlantic article, which is a sales pitch for her book.</p> <p>I also don't think you need to panic (easier said than done, I know) when you hear about how another child knows the alphabet at 2 or is reading by 3. Maybe the parents are pushing, maybe they're not--it doesn't matter. My son didn't know many letter sounds at 3 (and even kids who DO "know all their letter sounds" usually only know one sound per letter, which doesn't get you very far in English), but I'm having no trouble teaching him to read at age 5. Same deal with numbers. He can do Kindergarten math now, but at 2? I don't think he reliably counted in order to 10. Just stay the course by continuing to read out loud, do interesting things, and talk to each other a lot, and everything will be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396131 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:13:32 +0000 erinpye 2396131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: love love the Endless apps at our house! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396122 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:09:27 +0000 erinpye 2396122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KayKay: My kids did the reverse! My oldest didn't know the ABC song until a year after she could identify the letters and their sounds! Youngest is following suit. Both could count objects in groups before 2, do basic addition and subtraction similarly, ("I had 3, I ate 1, 2 more and I'm done!") but have never been interested in counting for the sake of it. Each kid is so different-- That's why I think no one should even worry about this stuff until about age 6+. It's fun if they're into it early, but not really beneficial since they don't *need* these skills yet :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396118 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:02:04 +0000 KayKay 2396118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One interesting thing that I've seen as DD1 has gotten older is how much being able to recite/identify is totally different from understanding. For example, she has been able to count to 10 since around 2ish (she's 3.5 now) -- I thank her daycare for that one. But it was mostly just knowing what words to say in what order...then followed by being able to associate the name and the written number. Since being 3 she has been more interested in counting things, but just recently (like in the last week!) have we realized that she actually understands numbers as a quantity. She started describing to us how many days there were til Christmas, and that tomorrow there would be (n-1), all the way down to zero (Christmas!). She also was talking to DH and was saying how she is 3 and little sister is 1, but when she is 4 little sister will be 2, and on and on for a surprisingly long time. </p> <p>All that to say, there are probably kids who couldn't do the recitation part as early but would catch on to the recitation &amp; understanding at the same time (or closer than she did). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396109 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:51:30 +0000 daniellemybelle 2396109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: @Anagram: Exactly. I posted a few months ago how to teach letters to my newly 2 year old because she was showing an interest. I did decide to intentionally introduce things like alphabet puzzles, the Endless Alphabet game on the iPad, etc. to take advantage of her interest. She went from just kind of naturally identifying a couple letters to knowing pretty much all the letters and their sounds in a few weeks. She is so proud of herself! We didn't "push" or "force" but we taught her when she was ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396078 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:23:36 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2396078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kids will learn naturally through play. videos, workbooks, flashcards etc. are not necessary. Read lots of books, narrate your day and talk as much as possible, and let them play with open ended materials.</p> <p>ETA: Sorry, I was typing on my phone and didn't read all of the previous comments :) You already got lots of really good advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pushing-early-learning-on-toddlers#post-2396043 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:51:08 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2396043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Flash cards, drills, workbooks - no.</p> <p>But books and manipulative a with shapes, number, etc - YES!</p> <p>My 3 yo knows all his numbers, letters, shapes and some words but it's all through reading and natural play. I've been researching reading because I know it's important not to push it or it takes up the space of other learning, but my lo is just really into words. For him I think gross motor will come slower... </p>