2 Year Old Education?

Under 3, especially, learning should be play based and parent-child centered. Children learn the best thorough interaction and playtime. Most studies show that no matter how far "ahead" a child is that by third grade most even out to align with their peers. The same can be said of those who seem "behind"(without developmental issues). Enjoy your child, read to him, have fun. Do not be hung up on "what he can do that another child can't or how far ahead he is compared to others, or for that matter how far behind he may be. Your son is only 18 months old. Enjoy this time. Everyday there is a new discovery, a new word, something magical. Don't miss it. Everything you do with him, playing, building, puzzles, blocks, baking, eating, etc... are learning experiences for him. They might not seem structured, but they are teaching science, math, language, fine and gross motor skills etc... You don't need a structured program or teachers he just needs you.

If you can afford it, I would strongly suggest Chesterbrook Academy. When we needed daycare for my daughter (2yrs old at the time), we looked into several of your norms -- KinderCare, LaPetite, etc. Some of those places I wouldn't even let my daughter sit on the floor in. Then we checked out Chesterbrook in S. Naperville on Rt 59 & 103rd. This was a couple years ago so they weren't even open yet -- just accepting registration. They were literally only a few dollars more than the other places.

Jump forward a couple years (my daughter just turned 5) and now both her and my 3.5yr son attend full time. We LOVE Chesterbrook. The cirriculum is amazing. In late 2007 my then 4 yr old was coming home telling me that Spain's flag was "red, yellow and red". I had to look it up but sure enough, she was right. And she was right about the 3 or 4 other flags she told me about. Again, the cirriculum is amazing.

If you're looking for a place not only to provide excellent daycare, but a quality cirriculm that's fun (the kids have no idea they're learning!), then I'd highly suggest looking into Chesterbrook. Oh, and after being open for 3+ years, it's still amazingly clean. Staff is excellent. I really can't say enough about this school. There are lots of locations so check it out!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jen

I am not sure what you decided to do. We are grappling with the same issue now. My twins will be 2 at the end of June. I feel like we need something a little more during the week. We do Gymboree on Sundays (Family Gymboree... but two adults are still needed) and library storytime/etc just don't work for us because one may sit and listen and the other bolts so then I have to interrupt the other one. Or they both bolt. But at the same time, can my little ones HANDLE something "play school" as well. When we do playgroups etc, many times my kids will just stay with me the whole time. I understand attachment is good but at the same time they need to learn to be a little free too. I would check with your park district although if they are like ours, very few programs. Good luck.

There is very little educational classes out there for 2's. I did find one class with the Oak Brook Park District called "just for 2's" that looked good. Most things don't start until they are 3, but I would suggest checking with your park district or one near you. Good luck..

M.,

My son (also a Jacob) will be 3 in June. He's been at a KinderCare since about 6 months (was at a different center before that). I'm not sure what your child care setting is now, but I know KinderCare offers a flexible schedule. If you want your son to be in a play-based learning environment, I'd try a center by your house for a couple of days a week.

Personally, I wouldn't want my son to be in an educational-based atmosphere at only two. I'd just want him to have fun. I still feel that way at almost three. At our center, they teach them letters, numbers, colors, etc and they have fun while doing it. Some days he comes home SO messy from paint, markers, exploring outside - whatever and I love it. He learns by having fun and I think that's the best way to learn.

Our Jacob knew his entire alphabet, in order, at about 18 months. He would point out letters everywhere we went. At 18 months, he could also count to ten and name all of his colors and basic shapes. But, he sat up late, crawled later (11 months) and walked at 16 months. He's also scared to death of heights and stairs.

The only reason I'm saying this is that I think it all balances out. Every child excels in their own ways and maybe struggles with others. At this age (and for awhile) your son is a sponge. Make everything fun with him and don't stress on the "learning" part. I'm pretty sure if you find yourself a daycare center, they will have a learning plan that you will like and your son will have a blast with.

Just an idea.

T.

Just my opinion, but I think at 18 months some structure to the day is great, but there shouldn't be any sort of push to "learn" in the traditional sense. His most important job is to learn how the world works, and to develop a love of learning and exploring.

There are lots of play-based learning games that a preschool program can give your son. He should be playing with blocks, play kitchens etc. Developing his imagination, learning role-play, singing songs, dancing, and have a good mix of structured and unstructured play time. I wouldn't push the letter/reading thing beyond singing ABCs and maybe pointing to them on the wall or focusing on one letter, shape, color, etc per week. Have a "red" day (or week) where he wears all red, go to the grocery store and identify red foods, etc. Do an art project where you paste circles onto paper and go for a walk in the neighborhood and find things that are circles. Etc.

Anyway, I don't know of any part-time preschools in the city because my son has a daycare/preschool, but I'm sure they're there. This is just the sort of things I would focus on philosophically. I know every parent is different, though.