I dont think that providing toys that are age appropriate that teach the alphabet song & phonics could ever be described as pushy. I bought loads of these items as my DS loved them - Leapfrog do lots of different versions & they are all pretty good. The Leapfrog Phonics Radio is also excellent & perfect for travel as it is small & light & kept my 15 month old very happy for long periods of time!!!! I would also say try Letterland magazine (you may need to order it) it is fab if they already like reading, also Fun with Phonics DVD & Finger Phonic Books (Amazon) were big hits in our house!

My 3 1/2 year old first got interested in letters through scoffing Organix Alphabet biscuits - he used to ask me what each one was. We also have ordinary letter fridge magnets (no tune), and some bath letters - something like this.

But we've ONLY done this because he's interested - I don't think it's a good idea to push it yourself.

Thanks Portofino

I will no doubt be joining you soon,

I can't wait,

I'm humming that sodding tune now! We sold our one not long ago at a boot fair, so some other child is probably tormenting his poor mother as we speak!

But as i said, it did work!

Hiya everyone,

Sorry for not replying earlier - LO a nightmare today!!!

Anyway - the leapfrog phonics I thnk you can get them at other places, but me being a skinflint thought I'd try ebay first,

No doubt they will drive me mad, like the same 4 books I keep reading over & over - my DH swears I sleeptalk the words in the night!!!

every letter makes a sound...

mine learnt them before he was 2 by avidly watching 'Word World' on Playhouse Disney <helpful> <lazy mother>

the fridge phonics thing is ace, my nearly 3yo loves it.

Although the ditty might grate you after a while....

It sounds like fridge phonics. Something like this?

www.leapfrog.com/en/fridge_phonics/fridgephonics.html

Portofino or Hedwig - What are the magnetic letter "things" called please? Is ebay the only place to buy them?

hedwig, would you mind posting a link to the sort of thing you are looking at, as they sound good and I've not come across them yet.
(obviously after you have purchased yours - would hate to bid against you!)

hedwig, if you win on eBay, I would hide the thing if you ever go out on a Saturday night! I can honestly say that if you are feeling a bit hungover jaded on a Sunday am, you really can't cope with a dc enthusiatic about learning their letters!

This is anecdotal but best I've got to offer!

My son went to a private nursery around 1999-2001. Although there was some play activity, pressure from parents to give their little ones a "head start" meant that they spent lots of time *tracing letters* at 3-4 years old!! Possibly as a result my son showed absolutely NO interest in reading/writing till he was about 7.

My younger daughters are in reception now- they had very little in the way of letter recognition at their (state) nursery- everything was play based. Now their whole Reception class are DESPERATE to do literacy and the standard and their enthusiasm is fantastic- it's interesting and accessible for them, and above all it's fun.

Presonally I'd avoid it and just carry on reading for fun- rather than risk putting him off.

Thanks Maverick - I'll have a go at printing my own.

Portofino - I am bidding on one of these on ebay, so hopefully I will win, a few people have told this item is good.

Thanks.

...or print your own Jolly Phonics frieze:

www.communication4all.co.uk/Phonics/Jolly%20Phonics%20Wall%20Frieze.pdf

I suggest you get the Jolly Phonics frieze (this is not an alphabet frieze but shows the English alphabet code's 40+ sound /letter correspondences) and put it up on his bedroom wall. Establish a routine of saying a sound and pointing to the letter/s every night at bedtime.

We had a magnetic thing that stuck to the fridge along with magnetic letters. When you put the letter in and pressed it, it sang a little song "A says Ay and A says Ahhhh, every letter makes a sound....". It was fecking annoying but it was very effective. It also sang the alphabet song, so dd learnt the correct order of the letters.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I think I'll wait awhile maybe after christmas when hes nearly 3 and see if he is showing an interest then.

concentrate on social skills and increasing his independence, letters are so not important at 2

I wouldn't worry about it. Just enjoy books together.

HE IS 2

Don't rush him, he'll learn when he's ready.

That said DD loves this site.

Sounds as if you have a very bright DS

I don't think you should try and teach them unless he shows an interest TBH. But there is nothing wrong with pointing out letters whilst you are reading, and showing him the letters in his name.

I have a 2 yeard old DS, he is a big handful, for the past few months - well a year at least all I have concentrated on was his behaviour and trying to keep him under control,

I now feel in the right place to try to teach him the alphabet, has anyone got any ideas as to how to do this?

I am a mum of 4, DS being the youngest, and have never know a boy like him, he is constantly demanding, and never stops talking, we read endless books, over and over again. He knows his numbers upto about 15, and knows most of the shapes, but doesn't seem to be picking up the letters so easy.

Please anyone - ideas?