2 year old cant identify alphabet, colours or numbers

[andreadxo]

Hi, my two year old can easily sing the alphabet, can count to ten and can point out a right colour when I ask her to. But shr seems to be having problems with actually identifying and what each letter or number actually looks like. And when I ask her what colour something is, she can't say. We do read books and I always point out letters/numbers to her and always try to incorporate colours when I talk to her. Should I be worried about this? Any tips on how to teach 2 year olds please? Thank you xxx

My almost two yr old identified his 6 month old sister for the first time last week. I thought that was doing well.

Colours, numbers and letters are nowhere near.

Bearing in mind that my DD'S school, wanted them to count to 10, know their colours, and shapes on starting reception. I wouldn't worry. They all do things at different rates, my DD could count to 10 age 20 months, now I am lucky if my two year old DS doesn't fling the content of his nappy at me! He barely speaks, doesn't know his colours, counts to three, but that's only when he is going down a slide, and I have my suspicions the three could in fact be "weeee" Don't worry at all.

Aww don't worry Hun, let your bubba be a bubba xox

Is that better?

Am sure Balonz will pick it up in their own sweet time.

downgraded - I made the mistake of telling DD that the first letter in her name was her letter. It must have been before toddler possesiveness got into full swing, or perhaps I was just being naive. Anyway, despite my best efforts, I'm pretty sure that she has no idea what sound it represents (or indeed that it represents any particular sound at all) but she points out 'MY letter' everywhere we go

She has also randomly selected 'mummy's letter' and 'daddy's letter' from the fridge magnets. They have no discernable connection to our names

• when I say 'best efforts', it's basically the following conversation on repeat: DD (pointing): MY letter Me (enthusiastically): Yes! It's '' for '**' DD (more insistently): MINE! Me: hmmm

God you can't win on here. Look at a reading thread and people will be telling parents itheir children should be free reading by the end of reception; three years earlier and you're not expected to have any expectations for your child at all.

FWIW OP - there's nothing to worry about. Just keep pointing out colours, shapes and numbers, and start with the phonics (better to do those than the traditional alphabet) once the above are under her belt. Colours do tend to come and go before they stick.

Longtall I respectfully disagree.

The reading band threads are chock full of parents being told to "unclench".

@ Strawberry

Well - that as well perhaps - shall we settle on a confusing mix of the two?

I suppose where I'm coming from on this is my DD1 is dyspraxic. There were plenty of signs she wasn't developing normally at 2, 3, 4 - but in part thanks to Mumsnet and the way anyone who expresses concern about their child's progress is condemned as a tiger-glue-mother-zilla, I remained determinedly cool about it. MN has helped me with loads of things but it was a hindrance on that.

It also partly depends on whether the DD is 2.1 or 2.11.

Generally though OP, try not to worry, unless you really have reason to believe she is way behind friends at toddlers or wherever.

Certainly rather than the alphabet and reciting numbers, when your DD does show an interest, do phonics and counting real objects, as otherwise they are to some extent parroting random text without really knowing what it means.

Continue chatting to with DD rather than having your head buried on a phone. Point out things, add in colours and numbers, and it should come in time.

Play with physical objects, like sand and water and magnets etc. The building blocks of play are very important, more so than knowing letters before they turn 3.

(And wait 'til you get to GCSEs, that really is something to worry about!)

Let her enjoy her childhood; she is only 2; Poor thing

You mean she's not published yet?!

Ds only started acquiring colours at 2.5, but still got some mixed up until he was 3. We worried for a short time that he was colour blind. He's not and is now 4.5.

He knows a few letters that mean something significant to him, but by no means the whole alphabet. He counts reliably to 20 and is quickly getting there with his 30s, 40s, 50s etc. But at 2, he most certainly wouldn't have recognised numbers (though i recall he could count 1 to 10 when climbing steps, more because of repetition than anything).

His cm and nursery deem him to be exactly where he should be developmentally at 4.5 and have no worries about him being ready for school in September. Really, you have nothing to worry about.

I find that posts like this just have the effect of making relaxed, unclenched mums like me start to clench and doubt my parenting abilities. I never gave it a moments thought that my ds (2yo) can't do any of that stuff but you've succeeded in me now worrying. Luckily I then go on to read everyone's comments and they have the unclenching effect I needed!!!!

You posted a question that most people would think it was odd you were worried! So people naturally thought you were taking the piss and responded so!

I read somewhere recently, research by someone (I know, I know, I could have just made this up, but I didn't get it from daily mail or anything like that) that colours are actually acquired later much later on average than what people currently think.

And just to add to the convo. You scared me with your post, your baby sound like they are doing great! My 2.3 ds is only starting to string 2 words together, knows a few numbers, but it's hit and miss and he certainly can't count (he identifies the numbers on the tank engines). Can't sing anything especially not the alphabet. Knows no colours. He can say green though

OP - no, you certainly have no need to worry at all. Enjoy every little step, each new word or experience, and keep a diary of progress so you can look back on things in the future.

You won't believe it yet, but babyhood goes all too quickly, so enjoy every moment if you can!

I'm sorry some people gave you a 'rough time', but your expectations did seem excessive. I worked in primary schools, including nursery classes, and also some years in secondary schools, and children need nurturing and support at every age; and so do parents.

I often recommend learning music as a good activity for two years old onwards, so if ever you are in a position to be able to afford an electronic keyboard (61 full size keys if possible) and it is a 'toy' that can last a lifetime.

(I'll look back sometime, to see any other replies you get.)

I think my 2 year old is super clever (maybe just because I'm her mum ) but she doesn't know any numbers or letters! She can sometimes get some colours on a good day!

A two year old is supposed to know colors, numbers and the alphabet?

And your two year old can count to ten?!

My DS is 18 months old and I honesty can't imagine him doing all this in 6 months time!

Your child sounds to be doing great.

Ds is 2y 2m and can name a few colours on a good day, yet is very bright. Chill the fuck out.

TopCivilServant that is the second funniest thing I have heard on MN. LOL and beautifully put.

There is a biiiiig difference between being able to recite onetwothreefourfivesuxseveneightnineten and actually knowing what the numbers mean or identifying which plate has three biscuits on etc
Makes me smile to hear parents say their child can count to 10 when the child us just reciting sounds.

seriously OP, is a there a particular reason you are teaching your DD all these things at two? Would have never occurred to me.

read her stories, play with her etc - you are helping her development much more that way.