What should I teach my DS (2.6)?

[crokky]

I don't know what I should be "teaching" my 2.6 year old DS. I don't want to push him or anything like that but it is very obvious that he wants to learn things. He is my eldest so I haven't done this before.

I am ashamed to admit what he has learnt (himself, without me knowing, but I will...

-He's learnt large parts of the dialogue to a Thomas DVD that I have been playing a lot recently (I have a baby so I do need to occupy DS). He says the words just before the DVD does
-He's learnt the names (from books, plastic toys and DVD/TV) of almost 50 characters from Thomas

Someone in my family (who is a teacher) commented that surely I could find something better to teach him, not that I did actively teach him all the Thomas stuff. So what should I be doing? Is there a range of books that do things that young children would like to learn?

just read read read to him, Talk about everything you see, why stuff happens, ask him what he sees, just everywhere you go everything you do. Almost like a running commentary of life. You will probably find he remembers a lot and starts to remember books. But you can go off on tangents, he obviously likes trains so how about a trip to the library to get books on trains and transport even if he just looks at the pictures.

He will pick up a huge general knowledge like that and apply it at later stages when he needs it.

You could also do little projects like planting flowers, cooking etc..

I wouldn't get to hung up about teaching him as such.

The alphabet could be useful, numbers and shapes aswell. ds could name all of the Mr Men at this age so I really wouldn't worry too much. He's still young, let him play and he'll learn through this.

Totally agree with dartmoormama. I wouldn't do any "formal" teaching with such a young child.
Lots of reading, colouring, and lots of chatting. And if he's into trains (and you have the time) trips to the station are always a favourite for toddlers!