3 year old learning ect

[lazyminimoo]

My son is 3 years an 4 months he's way behind i think with knowing numbers letters cant be taught. I have tried he dosent want to learn things. he only knows a fewletters an numbers as an also he says the wrong thing if i say its letter h he will say no its b. He isn't into drawing ect he is not interested in books an will pretend to read it then chuck it.he can't read obviously. I can't teach him and I'm not sure if it's because i am to boring an I'm not sure how to make it fun.tried to play card game simple pairs but he don't cooperate an just messes or throws cards away I try do sticking cutting with him he wants me to do it an him watch but then he puts His blanket over his head an isn't even watching so he is not interested. All he wants do is play with one car mainly an can build with Lego make rockets an watch tv . Is this bad i really don't know if this is bad but i think it must be i don't know what ti do with him at home an how to teach him

[BackforGood]

I wouldn't expect any 3yr 4month olds to be able to read, to recognise letters, or recognise numbers - there will be the odd one, but it is certainly not expected for a child that age

The best way to encourage learning is by talking to him and listening to him and trying to answer his questions. Just talk to him about all the things you see, every day, when you are out and about - the people digging the hole in the road, the cat sneaking through your garden, the weather, the way the bus goes and how that's different from the way you walk or drive. Talk to him about the food you pick up in the supermarkets - get him to get 4 apples for you or 6 carrots or to lay the table with '1 fork for you, one for me, and one for Daddy' - that's how he will learn to understand number, not by showing him numerals on flash cards. You can look for numbers when you are out and about - on your front door, on the front of a bus, on the speed sign for the road, etc. You can count steps as you run up them or walk down them. You can cook together (works much better if you use ounces rather than grams as you will need '2' or '4' rather than '125' or '200' or whatever. Play with different containers in the bath (or washing up bowl) and talk about one being 'full' or 'bigger/smaller' and compare to see if all the water from one will fit into a smaller one. Look at clocks and see there are numbers on there.

Read lots and lots to him - not just at bedtime, but let him see reading is fun and done for pleasure. I wouldn't expect him to read any words himself, but talk to him about the pictures (can you find.... etc), and also the story (why do you think he did that? / How would you feel if that happened to you? )

Building with lego is great - talk about what he's made.... that it's taller than he one he made yesterday, or get him to tell you what this bit or that bit does, or ask him where the rocket is going.

Just follow his interests and talk and talk and talk. There is no need to try to get him to read too young.

[BeckyWithTheShitHair]

Is he at home all the time, or does he attend nursery/preschool? If he does, have you spoken with the staff there to see if he's the same?

Does he get to socialise much with other children? If so, how is with them?

Typically, at his age, you'd expect a child to be able to hold a pen pencil almost properly and be able to copy a circle. Is he able to do this, and is it just the motivation to draw anything that's missing?

What about trying to gauge his interest with different ways of drawing such as with paints? Or outside with chalk on a nice, sunny day?

Being able to discriminate letters and numbers, and reading books, really isn't much of a concern before he starts school to be honest. But he should ideally be able to sit and attend to you reading him a short story. And should know how to turn the pages of a book properly, and that it goes from front to back. Instead of proper stories just now, why not get yourselves to the library and look for some picture books or sensory/interactive books? I think at this stage, the focus should be on getting him to turn the pages, and listen to what you're saying about the book, and encouraging him to point things out to you in the pictures etc rather than sitting looking at a page that is mostly text.

His playing sounds great and the fact he can build rockets etc out of Lego is fantastic! How is his turntaking? And his speech?

Right now, the focus should be on play. At this young age, that's where children learn most.

If you do have concerns about his behaviour/development, it's always great to have a professional chat with someone e.g. the health visitor who can come out and observe him.

[Ferguson]

Take him for walks to a park; show him birds and animals; let him play in water and sand; take him on swings and down a slide if you have a park or playground that has these.

Keep TV to a minimum, but watch with him and tell him what is happening. Only let him see SUITABLE programmes, CBBC, or Cbeebies; NOT THINGS like EastEnders. Show him suitable documentaries - animal or travel programmes. Let him see GOOD music programmes (BBC4 Friday night has BBC Young Musician, with Strings this Friday, and semi-final maybe Saturday.) DON'T have the radio or TV on all day, ONLY when you really want to listen or watch something.

DON'T WORRY about education at this age.

Playing with Lego or Duplo, cars, teddies and dolls, train track, toy tea set are all good.

I have looked at your other 'posts' and I don't mean to be rude, but you sound very 'mixed up' over all sorts of things. Are you very young?? And is your relationship with your partner (child's father?) secure??

I will look back in a few days, and see your comments.