Can you please recommend me a book to guide me in educating my 3 yo DS?

[HappyAsIAm]

DS is 3.4 yo. We play all the time with Happpyland/Playmobil/Imaginext, wooden train set, duplo, crafty things, reading etc, as well as lots of outdoor play. But I think I would really benefit from a book/pubication to give me some guidance in what I should be teaching hi, foccussing on, encouraging etc. I sort of feel a bit aimless, although we do have a lovely time together.

Can anyone recommend something please?

[lecce]

I think you are doing everything a 3 year old needs and he will be learning absolutely loads from all the things you have mentioned, especially as I imagine you talk about it to him/ explain stuff etc. They learn through play at this age so I'm not sure that anything more formal is needed.

However, 2 things that are more directly educational that my 4.2 year old has loved for the last 6 months or so are Usbourne Children's Atlas and a globe and a variety of the Orchard Toys games. He loves the Atlas, often gets it out instead of a story and knows lots about planets, deserts etc as a result. The globe we have has animals on it and he loves looking at them and can point out several countries because he recognises the animals that live there.

His favourite of the Orchard Toys is spotty dogs and it has certainly helped with his counting. He has now pretty much mastered counting 1-20, which is all it is really good for but he still enjoys is 'just' as a game.

I think if you wanted a guide on what they 'should' at doing at this age you can access the Early Years thingy that pre-schools use but I don't have a link.

I think you sound as if you're doing great and just be lead by his interests - that was why we got the atlas and globe - because ds had been asking loads about geography-type stuff and I couldn't really answer some of it .

[familyfun]

dd had the jolly phonics cd and book for her 3rd bday and loves singing along in the car

[lecce]

led not lead.

[HappyAsIAm]

Great idea lecce and its fantastic that your DS is interested in the world around him like that.

My DS is fascinated by trains, and I am learning lots about different engines and also the route and timings for the eurostar!

familyfun, I've heard jolly phonics being mentioned a lot, but have never looked into it. I shall now.

[PeppaPigandGeorge]

We have some wipe clean alphabet cards from ELC to help with writing letters. My 3.1 year old loves them.

[eragon]

play is the way forward, water play, sand play and cooking teach kids maths, and singing is good for memory. i think you are doing a good job. dont worry.

[supersewer]

You don't need a book, just play with him, and respond to his interests. Be wary of writing activities as you will invariably do it differently to big school and he will have to unlearn it.
He has years ahead of formal learning, let him learn through play and what interests him. ( I'm an early years practitioner by the way )