teaching toddlers a,b,c's

[EmmaM]

Has any one got any advice on whether I should help my ds to start to read? He is nearly 3 and very, very keen on his letters. He seems to pick things up so quickly, he can recognise all 26 letters and come up with at least two or three words beginning with that letter. He's now started to ask us what various words say - so for instance he'll pick up his shampoo and ask what it says on the label, or ask what words are on the TV. He's got some magnetic letters and asks me how you make different words - so I tell him what letters to chose and to put them next to each other. He can pull out the right letters to make his name etc. Should I just let him carry on enjoying letters in this way, or should I encourage him further? What I don't want to happen is for me to teach him too much only to find he is frustrated when he starts school as he has to cover stuff he knows. But as school is another 18 months away, what do I do with a very keen boy who wants to know everything?

What sort of things can other children do before they start school? Are there things a school expects your child to know when they start? I'm not a pushy mum - everything ds has done so far has been at his own pace and instigation from walking to potty training, so all I'm doing is following his lead (again!) And finally, if the advice is, yes, encourage him to read, any good books out there to help me help him?!! Thanks

When ds started school, they started learning their alphabet using Letterland, he didn't really get the hang of it. Since christmas, school has changed their methods. They now do something called Jolly Phonics where they teach the sounds, actions and how to write the sound. This has proved really successful, ds can now recognise words in his books by putting together the sounds. They've only been doing this for the last 6 or 7 weeks, before that he didn't have the slightest bit of interest in learning his letters.

I have seen a few bits of Letterland stuff and it looks mortally complicated to me at my age - heaven knows what young children make of it!! My son's known his alphabet since around 18 months, what does Letterland actually teach?

Emsiewill - sorry didnt read this before. We have a leap pad for my dd, aged 4.5. She started in recpetion in Sept. It's definately a firm favourite with her, and she doesn't seem to be getting bored with it. To a certain extent, it does take the place of a parent and a book, and yes, I do spend a lot of time reading to my kids, but it's different in that if they want to go back over certain words again & again they can. I have noticed that she will do this, normally with the more 'difficult' words. It certainly seems to help, and it's very useful for taking anywhere you may have to keep them busy while you talk (doctors etc). Incidentally, both my dds (4 & 6) love the 'skeleton' at the back, and can name metatarsals & filanges (sp) far better than I can!
Only downside is I don't think the 'sound it' is very good. It would be better if they sounded each word out as a/b/c instead of ay bee cee IYKWIM.
Any other questions, just ask - I'll keep an eye out.

perhaps if I used it my spelling would be better!

Berries, thanks for your input. After KMG and SueW's comments, I was starting to doubt whether I should buy it - on balance I think we will get it for her as an Easter present.
I have read to both my dds sice they were tiny babies, and I'm sure that's why they're both so interested in books now. I think for my eldest dd (and eventually the younger), the Leap Pad will be an extra way for her to learn, rather than an excuse for me to not bother. I also saw it as an excellent entertainment option for the long car journeys we regularly make.