Educational Learning for 2 1/2 Yr Old

Hi S.,

I have been working with kids for 16 years as a preschool teacher and a Nanny. I always developed some sort of lesson plan for the kids in my care, but when it comes to 2.5 year olds, it's less about ABC's and more about concepts. Up/Down, In/Out and especially cause & effect. 2 year olds love to explore things, learn how they work and understand why there are there. I suggest purchasing a magnifying glass, (make sure it's safe), and let her go to town! She will love looking at the world.

With that said, singing the ABC song, pointing out colors, number and letters is also important, but will mean little to your 2.5 year old. The brain develops in a certain way, so helping her understand certain concepts will help prepare her for the next stage in learning.

Good Luck!

R. Magby

www.familyfun.com
www.pbskids.org
www.nickjr.com
www.starfall.com
www.parents.com
www.ivillage.com

Those are just some the websites that I can think of off of the top of my head. Don't stress to much about educational games. Play in and of itself can be educational and the more you talk to your daughter, label things and interact with her, the more she will learn. Once children are in school, whether it is preschool or kindergarten, whether or not they have been exposed to certain academics before, they often absorb everything the teacher teaches them like a sponge.

She is definitely not too young to start learning. The key is to make the learning feel like she's playing. No matter what, she won't be behind when she starts preschool. Many kids will come in knowing their letters, but many will not and you don't have to worry if she is one who doesn't, especially since she will probably be one of the younger kids in the class.

My son is turning three next month and, about 2-3 months ago, we started playing games on www.starfall.com He LOVES it and has learned all of his letters from it. He can recognize them all now and knows a few of the sounds.

Also, I recently started selling Discovery Toys and we have many educational games. I play these with my son as well and it has definitely helped him to learn, without realizing he's learning because it all is just play to him. If you want, you can check out my site at http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao I'd also be happy to give you specific recommendations.

K.

Don't worry about it! YOU are educational. Just talk to her, let her vocabulary swell, it will all be fine.

I think it's great when kids are doing something educational and learning and they don't even realize it. Cooking can be a great educational game. As your cooking ask her to help you count things, we need SIX potatoes, I need the RED bowl. Set up an obstacle course, and say you need to climb OVER the box, walk AROUND the tree.

Leap Frog makes some great education toys. You may want to check them out.

Relax, she'll do fine. Each child learns the things that want to learn at their own pace.