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I have a 14 mo dcb who appears to have no interest in doing any learning activities. He is the sweetest little boy, and gives me great joy. But when I am doing circle time, and we are singing songs etc. he seems to have no interest. He will not color (I mean put anything on his paper I don't expect him to fully color a picture) doesn't appear to like finger painting, storytime, or arts & crafts activities. I still read for my other children and because I know he is listening. What's amazing to me is that he loves to dance, but I need to get him interested in learning shapes, colors etc. What can I do to get him interested in any of these things mom comes in and want to know what he has learned today, and I don't want to tell her he seems to not have any interest in doing the activities. Please any suggestions would be much appreciated.
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At his age I wouldn't worry about him not participating. Toddlers generally like to observe and that's probably what they should be doing. After some time he will get the hang of it and start to do what the others are doing.
Observation is an important part of development. Just explain to the mom that this is how he is learning right now. -
I wouldnt worry about "getting him interested" in learning activities. He will learn just by observing you, and listening to what you say. At the most, I think you should just talk with him as he is playing, and name the colors of what he is playing with. Ie "DCB you have a green car". That should really be plenty for a 14 month old.Comment
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Oh my, 14 month olds learn through their senses.....not through academia.
I suggest just allowing him to play. Nothing Else. Just Play.
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Thanks for your suggestions
Thank you both for you suggestions. I have been just talking with him, and reading stories because I do know that he is listening, and pretty soon will be asking questions. I have explained to dcm that right now at his age everything is going to be sensory skills, touching, seeing, feeling, and smelling but she asks every day, and he is her first child so I think she is just really concerned that he is learning something. I now know I'm on the right track. Again thanks so much.Comment
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Sounds to me like you are doing all the right things.... My 15 month old dcg brings me books, and when I get done with the first page, she takes it and puts it back on the book shelf
. You could make him a sensory box... Put rice in it and maybe some colored balls... And then when he reaches in and pulls one out, just tell him" oh it's the red ball, I love red" etc... They are little sponges and he is learning but just not in the same way that older kids learn
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no lovethislovethislovethislovethis
Here is something that may help. Share it with your dcp's...
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Sounds to me like you are doing all the right things.... My 15 month old dcg brings me books, and when I get done with the first page, she takes it and puts it back on the book shelf. You could make him a sensory box... Put rice in it and maybe some colored balls... And then when he reaches in and pulls one out, just tell him" oh it's the red ball, I love red" etc... They are little sponges and he is learning but just not in the same way that older kids learn
I like the way you suggested that. Too often we "quiz" children, don't you think? I like "narrating", because it's more...respectful?Comment
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I agree with other posters! He will learn through play and his senses! My younger children will only sit for very short periods of time, but as time goes on they get more interested in circle time and other activities. In fact one of my dcb's is 18 months and when he first started coming, he wouldn't sit at all during circle, but now-only 2 months later-when I announce that it is circle time, he will put away a few toys and sit down in the area and will "sing" some songs and also read a book with us. Of course it doesn't last long, but he's getting more interested.
As for the mom in your case, I think she needs more info on how children her child's age learn. Many times parents honestly don't know and they want their children to learn things that are too advanced for them!Comment
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I would respectfully provide info to the mom about what my program does offer and include as well as what is age appropriate expectations of a young toddler. Anyone that is fixated on their kid learning colors/shapes/numbers/letters would not be a good fit here. I did very little "sit down and learn and do a worksheet whether you like it or not" with my oldest. We were learning by doing. I never worried about her not knowing these things. Guess what? Within 6 months of prek, she was reading and writing! Its more important to build the correct foundation for learning and a love of learning rather than focus on a kid being able to recite a few facts so a parent can brag to their friends.
If the mom is wanting to be more involved, there are other options to satisfy that need. Pictures, a daily report, a parent newsletter, a closed Facebook group with updates are all ideas that can help a parent understand what you are doing there when there isnt a product sent home. But for some parents it isnt enough. They want scribble sheets and worksheets and crafts as proof. If that is the case, it might be better for her to look for a different program.Comment
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In my experience boys tend to stay in the play stages longer than girls. Boys also seem to mature slower than girls as well. Therefore it seems as though boys often are more interested in learn through play as opposed to sitting down for a learning lesson.
I love learn through play for everyoneComment
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My mother has her BA in Elementary Ed. and she is always "quizzing" my kids. Drives me nuts because I feel like they think they always need to be "on" when they are with her.
No wonder they like my MIL better - she actually just reads to them, has them garden with her, takes them on bike rides, etc. All with out asking them what the square root of two is.
But I digress. I agree, academics for that age is not even appropriate. Gentle learning through play is way more effective.
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I had a parent like this for a 3 year old girl. I kept her two years and she's in first grade now testing very high. The mom had her in other centers and in home daycares before me who would basically print papers and slap the child into a chair and then oohs and ahhhh to mom over said papers so mom though that was learning. The girl did in fact love love worksheets and begged for them. I did print her out some though. But I finally had to sit down with mom and explain planting seeds while having a conversation with the children about planting. Colors of the flowers on the box, while talking about soil etc.... That IS learning and is much better than papers. She stared at me blankly for a while until I explained to her that if she keeps insisting her child do papers 24/7 she was going to be a burned out kindergarten child who was very unhappy. She got the point and within a week, she realized exactly how we learned and how well it was working for her daughter.... Now she thanks me every time I see her for the way her daughter is excelling in school.Comment
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