Your Toddler: T is For Teaching The ABCs
Stressing because your friend's 2-year-old is already practically reading Harry Potter and doing calculus? Don't! If your toddler can recognize a few of the letters in his name at this point, he's right on track. Anything beyond that is gravy. There's no correlation between knowing your ABCs at 2 and getting into Harvard. So don't stress if that's the extent of his literary prowess. All too soon, his life will revolve around the 3 R's. For now, let him revel in the other three R's: running, ranting and ruckus-causing. What you're thinking:"Yes! That's an A. You're clearly a genius, kiddo!"
Ideally ...
The best "developmental toy" is YOU. So sing the ABCs with your kid, read to your kid a lot, do flashcards with him. You know, all that educational stuff!
Read more of ABC-Learning Tips for Toddlers.
Really ...
In our house, we have a rule: 'no quizzing.' This has meant accepting that our son is in charge of what he does and doesn't learn. Parents shouldn't try to be teachers—we're not trained for it, and we don't get summer vacations or a separate bathroom. Read more of "The ABCs of Not Caring" by Jacob Koskoff!
Everything you ever wanted to know and more about learning the alphabet!
- Brainy breakfast ideas for kids.
- 11 toys that build serious skills!
- Play a brain-building letter toss game with your kid!
- Check out Nick Jr. Boost for tons of awesome educational games!
- Make a homemade alphabet book with your kid!
- Send your kid on a letter treasure hunt!
- Do this personalized name puzzle activity!
- Why you should be reading to your kid.
- Build your kid's brain with fun flashcard games!
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All kids grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your toddler with so-and-so's from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your kid's next checkup.
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