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Education

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Educating a three year old- am I being ridiculous?

42 replies

Limpetsmum · 08/02/2015 00:39

This may well sound ridiculous, but how much time do you spend teaching a three year old?
I've got a three year old boy who has a nanny look after him 4 days a week and he goes to nursery one day a week.
Whenever I meet up with friends, I always feel I have the least bright child!
I wonder whether I'm doing him an injustice by having a nanny rather than sending him to nursery. My view was that while kids are little they want attention and love and academia will come later- from school age.
I read to him in the evenings and try to teach him the alphabet and writing - but he's just not that fussed (although does enjoy reading at bedtime).
He's not particularly gifted in anyway but he's a lovely boy.
Academia is important to us and both my husband and I have postgraduate degrees. We have good jobs and strong academic backgrounds. But I worry that I'm not spending enough time concentrating on my three year olds education and maybe concentrating on play too much.
Can anyone reassure me that what I'm doing is ok and he'll catch up and take interest in things in his own time? Or could you advise me on how I should boost his academic development.
He's not particularly behind in anyway (maybe speech ever so slightly). But when I'm chatting with my friends they always mention how their child can read words, or count to 50 or other things that parents boast about. I just sit there and think I've got a lovely happy boy and I hope he excels in life and hope I'm not holding him back.

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Madcats · 11/02/2015 11:21

When DD was three we made sure we did plenty of fun things and let our days be guided by her particular interests (within reason - mud and water play featured a lot). Whatever we did, however, we made sure that we did plenty of talking about it at the same time and wondering aloud. Intentionally or otherwise, we've not used baby-talk (too old and set in our ways). We would gently correct her grammar by repeating rather than saying "oh no, you don't say it like that".

We made sure she understood basic life skills. Listening to grown-ups/saying "please" and "thank-you" and asking for help when she needed it. It sounds as if you are both already doing a lot of these things, so no need to fret. Get DC used to the fact that they won't always get their own way and might need to compromise (okay pretty impossible with a 3 year old).

It took DD a couple of terms to count accurately at school and grasp phonics, but I think she would have been bored stiff if she had done it all before. 3 years on she's happily reading and understanding big fat books and tackling some fairly tricky maths. Yes I'm sure genes/environment/teachers all play their part but she decided to do the learning, not have it forced down her throat.

perfectlybroken · 11/02/2015 11:27

I think at the age of 3 there can be a huge variation in maturity and ability, and it might be that that's making you think your little boy isn't as bright as others. My 4 year old was always 'young for his age' and I was always a bit aware of that when he was with children his own age.
However, he was always happy and seemed to be progressing so I didn't worry. Now he's just 4, and suddenly 'teaching' him is actually a reality, whereas before it just didn't really work.
I would just relax and know that if you provide the opportunities he will develop at his own pace.

Onsera3 · 11/02/2015 11:33

There's no need to formally 'teach' children this age anything. They will learn through play and helping around the house etc

I'm an educator who comes from an extended family of education experts so I have access to a lot of informed opinions and advice. I'm not going to teach my son anything academic until he is asking.

There is no long term academic advantage to teaching your child letters and reading before the age of six. Children who enjoy 'kindergarten' type early education- ie no academic activities end up at the same level as those who started formal education years earlier. Only difference is that they tend to enjoy reading more.

My two year old has worked out some letters and he has learnt about counting through real life situations. I'm going to let him work it out at his own pace.

I wouldnt worry about your child's academic prowess!

SoonToBeSix · 11/02/2015 11:36

Why can't your nanny take your ds to nursery for his 15 free hours?

Limpetsmum · 12/02/2015 23:03

We use our free 15 hours for one full day nursery care per week and do t have our nanny that day.

It's interesting to hear everyone's point of view and reassuring to hear that everyone is happy with the way their little ones have turned/ are turning out.

I am trying to set a bit of time aside (15 mins) a day to focus on some sort of learning activity.

I was very much pushed as a child and have achieved academically all my life (again don't mean to sound arrogant!). But my husband who is probably more naturally intelligent had less of an academic childhood and excelled later on in life.

From my own experience I would say my childhood was more around achieving than 'fun' but it paid off in my eyes in many ways as I have a lovely happy life now and have done for many years (sorry if I sound annoying). BUT I am fully aware that I want my kids to have more of a fun childhood than I did - but I don't know at what expense this may have on education. I guess I want them to have both but struggle to know how to balance it as my childhood was tipped heavily to one side. I don't want to over compensate with fun and not give them the time for academia that may be necessary to achieve in life.

I wish kids came with a manual - if I knew what to do, I'd just do it and be content that I was doing the right thing!

I really don't mean to sound up my own arse in this thread - just trying to explain how I'm torn between different methods of parenting and education.

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CultureSucksDownWords · 12/02/2015 23:14

It's just worth bearing in mind that there is a possibility (perhaps very small) that your child might not want an "academic" career. Your DS is his own person after all. Will you mind if he chooses a path that is not "academic"?

noramum · 13/02/2015 09:58

The problem is you don't know if your child is academically good or not. My sister has three girls, it is amazing how different they are despite having the same childhood and attended the same schools up to GCSE level.

One is a shop assistant, one is an office worker who starts to study now after working for 5 years the third one managed to get a degree in translation while doing her A levels at the same time and does now a study/work combination in economics.

Obviously helping and providing the tools to learn is vital but there is also a lot to say about a person's personality and to a degree the genes.

I would speak to the nursery and ask how they prepare for school and if there are areas where your child is good at/could be helped. DD always had issues with fine motor skills so we had lots to do to practice there but we can virtually ignore helping with reading and memory as she can do these without lots of practice.

insancerre · 13/02/2015 13:55

Its not the achieving that matters
It really isn't
I work in early years and we always reward the effort not the achievement
I know 3 year old who won't even attempt to do things because they are scared of failure
Its so sad and really damaging for their self confidence
Those children who ate scared of failure will never push themselves and may never reach their full potential
When I think about school readiness I always think it means an eagerness and willingness to learn. Which means making mistakes
Children need to know its OK to get it wrong. Because that s how we all learn

Limpetsmum · 13/02/2015 21:52

It's fine if he doesn't achieve - but as long as I know I've done whatever I can do to make him reach his potential. He's probably got good genes but I don't want my parenting to be the reason for him not to reach his potential. I have always worked hard to succeed in life and I apply the same to parenting - I want to make sure I'm doing the best I can for my son.
It doesn't matter if he doesn't get top grades etc - but as long as he works hard and tries at whatever challenges face him. That is important to me. What I expect from my son in the longterm is only what I expect from myself - even when parenting. Ie working hard at it and facing the challenges.
It's useful to hear people's opinions. Especially about encouraging eagerness to learn at this young age. I think that's probably key.

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PeaStalks · 14/02/2015 15:25

I have two very academic DC of 19 and 17 but neither could read and write before they started school. They didn't start school until almost 5 either because I didn't think they were ready for formal education.
What I did was talk to them a lot. Everything they saw or did was explained and discussed. Actually that continues to this day, from politics to philosophy and from science to literature. I did do the usual reading when they started school but only in a fun way as I think there is so much more you can teach them yourself which pads out the formal stuff they learn at school.

Ferguson · 16/02/2015 18:47

Seeing as you and husband claim to be intelligent and 'academic' people, it surprises me that you seem to have an almost Victorian attitude that you can 'mould' your child into being what YOU want, instead letting him enjoy babyhood and early childhood, by experiencing all the playing, learning, games, nature, and physical activities that arise naturally and spontaneously when adults, particularly parents, interact with young children.

I worked twenty-five years in primary schools, as Teaching Assistant and voluntary helper. I tried to enrich the personality and ability of every one of the hundreds of children I worked with during this time - obviously, some more successfully than others.

But the one that gives me most satisfaction, was when I did a term of voluntary work in a Year 1 class. A Down's boy had no speech, was incontinent, and by necessity was on the periphery of the learning experiences of his peers.

He was fascinated by computers, and sat next to other children as they used the computers. His motor skills were inadequate for him to be able to use mouse or keyboard, so he just observed others performing tasks he couldn't manage, but enjoyed seeing their successes.

However, I resolved to improve the situation, and I found a web site for people - children and adults - with limited ability. All that was needed to operate the various games and activities, was to press the at the appropriate moment, and this he COULD manage. Soon he was launching space ships, jumping chasms, and matching shapes and numbers, his immense satisfaction clearly showing on his beaming face.

This progress stimulated his abilities, and when he was provided with a special small mouse, and appropriate keyboard with large buttons, he was then able to continue to make more progress.

Limpetsmum · 16/02/2015 22:08

Ferguson - I claimed that we were academic, not perfect parents. I thought the idea of this group was to foster a supportive environment & share ideas- not criticise others in an unhelpful judgemental manner.

On a separate note for others, for the last week we've been focusing 15 minutes a day on 'education' and I was really pleased that from only being able to scribble/draw lines and a circle, he can now write his name. Obviously not clearly but can definitely make out the letters across the page. Don't want to sound smug to others with my comment but I feel that my 'victorian' ways were worth sharing!

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Ferguson · 16/02/2015 22:56

Sorry if I offended - and I don't expect there is any such person as a 'perfect' parent.

Almost certainly, virtually every parent, will with hindsight, wish they had done some things just a little differently, but provided the eventual outcome is a well balanced, happy and reasonably successful young adult, then I don't think a parent can ask for much more.

JustRichmal · 17/02/2015 09:20

Limpetsmum, Mumsnet seems to be split into those who do think education makes a positive difference to a child's ability and those who think inflicting education on children is a bad thing.

IME it has made a difference, but I cannot tell others how to bring up their children; they have every right to their view. All I can do is share my experience. I do however object to derogatory arguments such as having "Victorian views" or trying to mould my child into what I want. I want to do the best for my child, and just have an opinion of how to get there which may not be the same as that of others.

Mindgone · 17/02/2015 15:07

We had lots of fun together before my two sons went to school, and no 'formal' learning. DS1 knew a few letters, and I can't remember what DS2 knew! I remember another mum telling me that she was very worried that there were about 5 letters that her son didn't know yet, I replied that I would be impressed if my son did know 5! We were also quite strict about TV, saving it for weekends only, and this has been one of the best things we have ever done for them. There has never been any 'must see' TV, and when we eventually relented and got them a playstation at 12 and 10 yrs, the same rules applied. They were each reading Harry Potter independently at 6yrs, and have always had a great love of reading. They have both done very well academically, DS1 got AAA in his ALevels and is studying engineering, and DS2 is in the process of applying for medicine. I don't want to be braggy, just wanted to give some context. When I see how much 'stuff' young children do these days I'm amazed, it's all a bit crazy!
OP, don't get sucked in! It sounds to me like you have the right idea, and your kids will be great. Concentrating on having fun, being daft and carefree is great! Also being taught good manners, kindness and good grammar! :)

Limpetsmum · 17/02/2015 19:40

Thanks mindgone. Although I feel a need to check my grammar in my post/replies in order to not let you down now! ??

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Mindgone · 18/02/2015 17:42
Grin
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