Two year old and letters and numbers - not ballsing it up

[Runningbutnotscared]

Ds is a few months over two and knows all the alphabet and numbers up to twenty. I am shocked and surprised at this given that he didn't speak until his second birthday (not a blooming word, had me very worried at the time!) and we haven't done any letters or number with him. I was given a load of old 'educational' speaking toys which is, I think, where he's picked it up from.

At the moment he points out letters and numbers he sees. It makes walking a lovely hassle because he wants to spell every street sign out.

Problem is I don't know anything about phonics, so I don't know what to do next. I don't particularly want to teach him anything, but I'm worried that I might be encouraging him in the wrong way. I don't want to discourage him either.

Do children need to be given a bigger challenge to keep them interested?

At the moment I tell him what the sign he has spelt out says and say 'well done'.

He spent so long not talking I'm worried I'm not responding correctly.

[HeyRoly]

Don't worry about phonics. You can introduce the letter sounds to him in advance of starting Reception if you want (look up Jolly Phonics on YouTube) but you don't need to worry about it at only two.

Just encourage his curiosity but don't feel you need to start hothousing already

[FlyingGoose]

Jolly phonics have songs for the sounds with actions. My children loved it.

[Whatsername17]

My dd was exactly the same. Just keep practising and encouraging his enjoyment.

[SavoyCabbage]

I'd watch the 'Mr Thorne does phonics' videos on YouTube and learn the pure/synthetic sounds yourself so you are telling him the correct sounds when you interact with him about letters (or sounds as they are now known!).