What should I be teaching my 19 month old?

[StripeyTulip]

DD is copying everything and learning so fast, I feel like I'm wasting an opportunity to teach her loads! But without fine motor skills or language I'm a bit lost - ideas please.......

How about letting her be an 19 month old, revolutionary idea I know, but might be fun to watch

Just describe about the world around you - tell her what everything is, name colours, shapes etc, the noises animals make, read books with her and point out everything in the pictures, ask her to point out things in the pictures next time you read it, take her to the park and look at leaves and trees etc - all things that you probably do without thinking but remember it's all new to them and they are learning.

My 20mo DD loves playing with the toy kitchen and I'll ask her to make me lunch and then tell her what the food is that she's brought over and what colour it is etc. just talk loads basically!

I really wouldn't bother trying to teach. Children learn without being taught. You wouldn't like it if your DH tried to teach you things every night when he gets in from work. They learn by themselves just let her be normal. I have a 2 year old who can count to 20 and I've not taught her to do this trust me. There are years of education ahead.

at unreasonable. We've always been pretty much in that camp and it's worked for us but if you want to start introducing some activities, have a look here.

Just support her to explore what takes her interest. Plenty of time for teaching. Let her be a baby.

Just support her to explore what takes her interest.

This ^

By enabling her to explore the world and develop her understanding of the things that interest her, you will help her to be an independent and enthusiastic learner. This skill is will stay with her throughout her life and support her ability to engage with her learning environments both in and out of school.

Think about what she knows and give her experiences in which she can build on that knowledge and understanding by experimentation, observation and exploration. Watching a child do this is endlessly fascinating and enormously fulfilling when you take the time to really concentrate on what is happening for them.

Give her a running commentary as you go about your everyday lives. Listening to the language of older children and adults gives young children the vocabulary on which they base their understanding.

So talk and play together lots and the rest will look after itself.

Thanks JJJ the Montessori stuff is along the right lines, but it sounds so pushy! Think I'll follow everyone's advice and just let her do her own thing

Good :) Really don't worry about teaching anything at all. Right now it's about you getting to know her and seeing what she explores for herself - how fascinating to see the world through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time!

Teach her that she is loved and important. Really, everything else follows naturally. Talk to her about the world around her, and be attentive when she talks to you.

Those kind of activities look great and all if you're into them and your DC finds them fun, but the idea of a special rotation and keeping it "appropriate to his ever changing development" - that way madness lies.

The problem is if you start on that kind of uber-perfectionist stuff when they are under two and it's fairly easy, you're going to really struggle when they get to about three and it's hard. Just don't do it to yourself. Find what you like to do and do that, talk to her, show her things, see what she's interested in and let her show you and it will come alright.

I just had a look at Montessori link - it's interesting stuff, and I like the colourful activities. However, this is all stuff that kids have done naturally throughout time (using different 'tools') so doesn't need to be formulaic or indeed taught. I sorted my mums coloured buttons as a kid gradually and because I began to recognise the difference. I don't want to spend ages teaching my 19mo how to do it tho - they play at this age, and learn through play. I think it's a brilliant question you ask about how to stimulate and engage your little one tho - I also worry I'm not doing enough of that. The poster who said that everything is new to little ones makes a great point - sometimes I really forget that.

However, this is all stuff that kids have done naturally throughout time

Exactly!

Children have the best curriculum naturally available to them 24/7/ It's called play. It changes to suit their interests, builds on their previous progress, allows them to learn on their own or with others and adapts to suit their moods. You can't get better than that.

Just watching small children and offering opportunities to explore objects, places and concepts that might interest them gives them everything they need to learn instinctively.

Just chat loads and let her play.

Just clicked the link - does look interesting but.... the one with the wooden people and wooden cups? Are anyone else's 2 year olds sitting and sorting out their colours or (like mine) just randomly chucking anything hard and wooden around the room?

Hi, I didn't post the link in a kind of manic "you must teach your child this way", more along the lines of maybe getting ideas for activities.

For balance, my DS taught himself his colours and numbers to 10 by watching Thomas the Tank