New Daycare Boy

[Angelsj]

Even watching "educational TV" (which I am not a huge fan of), kids will pick up some of the basics.

Actually, I have seen this over and over again. They actually do NOT pick it up IF educational TV is all they see. It's like it doesn't click until they hear/see real people talking about it.
And to be honest, if this is the reaction you are getting from mom, he likely hasn't seen much educational TV either. Probably only watches what his parents are watching.