Last week, when I picked Sam up from school, I asked his teacher how his day went, as I do every day. She responded that he had a good day, and she does every day. But then she threw a zinger at me.
“I did have one question for you,” she said. “Does Sam know his letters and numbers?”
Sam’s three and a half. He’s been recognizing and pointing out the letters in his name when he sees them around, and I thought that was a pretty good development. Other than that, I hadn’t given it any thought.
Until that moment.
As I stumbled around for an answer, the teacher continued, “When I ask him, he doesn’t seem to know them, other than the letters in his name, and I wasn’t sure if he was just being silly or what. He’s so smart, I figured that he’d know them already. Does he know them when you work on them at home?”
When we, uh, work on them? At home?
CRAP.
Teaching him letters and numbers had not crossed my mind. (I can’t believe I am admitting that.)
The kid has known the entire St. Louis Cardinals line up since he was barely two, and he can recite Star Wars and/or Lord of the Rings characters or plot lines in his sleep.
He is smart. I really didn’t think I needed to teach him stuff.
Needless to say, after that conversation with his teacher, I immediately freaked out and determined I had ruined his academic future. As I drove home, I made a mental list of all the things I needed to google – methods, apps, flashcards, you name it – to get him back on track.
I broke the news that Sam was academically challenged to his dad gently when we got home. Andy said, “She wants him to know his letters and numbers? I’ll teach them to him by tomorrow.”
Then he broke out a pen and paper and started to drill Sam. I hadn’t even googled anything yet! He wasn’t even using the iPad! I was appalled.
Until I realized that Sam was indeed learning his letters and numbers right there on the spot.
So there, preschool teacher.
Anywho, this is a long and belabored way to get to the point – Andy’s old fashioned method actually did work, but I’m still on the look out for toys/videos/apps/games that will reinforce his letter/number knowledge.
So, readers, what worked for you and your kids? How can I get Sam back on the right academic track before he becomes a preschool slacker?
Parenting, what a mine field!
UP
I have been out of the preschool business for a few yrs. but I remember when pushing letters and numbers on 3 yr. olds was not kosher. I am going to have to brush up on the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and see what is current. I will report back!
A few years ago a fellow teacher brought in her husband’s kindergarten report card from the late 50’s. Nary a letter or number were mentioned. The expectations were all social. We got a big laugh because he got high marks for “putting away his rubbers.”
Molly is all about the foam mat puzzle letters. Like this http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6683. We make up games with them. Example: she jumps from letter to letter as I call them out.
Sam would love those. Thanks!
I don’t have much time this morning but I did get on the NAEYC website and there are many articles on every topic relating to preschoolers. Just a fast perusal of a couple tell me that if you read some of them you will receive answers to your questions. Sam is a bright star in every way! I think he is very perceptive and can think abstractly beyond his years.
I always prided myself on getting to know the preschoolers in my class. I took detailed notes on them and observed them a lot. However, when I had my grandson James in my class, I quickly realized how much I did not learn about him in the classroom. There were many things that I knew about him that I did not see in that situation. You and Andy truly know the ins and outs of your child, as Andy proved last night.
Thank you, Aunt Diane. I will look into it!
I work full time and the school / daycare puts into their program. We talk at dinner and point to letters and read at night. The thing that has worked best that I am said to admitt is PreSchool Prep DVDs and Leap Frog Letter factory. They are awesome and my kids love them.
Love how you hubby just sat down and started.
I had forgotten about the Leap Frog dvds – we had letter factory for my daughter when I realized I forgot to teach her, too. Thanks!
This post made me laugh because Sam is a genius and he will learn those things when he darn well decides it’s important enough. But definitely grab a few free apps on the iPad since I know he likes that. And you know, start teaching him how to spell “Darth Vader” with magnetic letters on the fridge and he’ll be ALL IN in no time! And “PUJOLS”. Yeah, he’ll have those letters down by Thursday!
Sesame Street worked for my daughter 🙂 Being a teacher, I also LOVE that your husband pulled out the paper and pencil! I love all the exciting technology like iPads (I use a Smartboard in my room daily) but I also love for kids to know that sometimes you just have to learn it. No bells. No whistles. Just learn it!
Yes, my husband, the teacher, agrees with you! 🙂
my opinion may be unpopular but, honestly, i think you totally missed the boat with sam and maybe it is time to think about him getting a job. just sayin’, burns…
Suck it, Verticchio.
well all i am saying is i think we all need to remember the wisdom of the wise prophet judge smails from caddyshacky when he tells danny noonan, “the world needs ditch diggers, too.”
Nothing like pushing early! When I volunteered with my daughter’s kindergarten class (way back when), most of her class didn’t even know them! I wouldn’t worry too much.
Another old fashioned way is pointing them out in books you are reading. Especially if the books are ABC or 123 books. We just checked out Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (letters) and Chicka Chicka 123. They are fun.
If you are looking for a gadget, try the Leap Frog fridge magnets. Get the one with spaces for 3 letters, not just one. You can set it to a letter recognition level that is essentially what the one-letter toy is. But after he learns his letters, you can also set it to word recognition which will pronounce 3-letter words that he spells. And there is a ‘quiz’ level that says a word and you have to find the letters to spell it (it tells you how to spell it). So this toy is useful for a few years.
And don’t read too much into what the teacher said…she was just wondering if he knew his letters or not. No need to panic.
I made my husband read this because it made me laugh so hard. And he was doin’ great til he saw the St. Louis Cardinals. He asked me to let you know he will never read the blog again and he can’t believe you wouldn’t teach your kid his letters and numbers… (cause you know, we worked so thoroughly with our kids on them, psshh!) And, no worries, ladies… I will definitely keep reading. (he was kidding by the way ;))
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a wicked good book…we sang the ABC song alot and pointed out letters while we were out and about…he knows his name and the Cardinal line up, what more does he need?! He’s going to be a sports writer/doctor…he’ll learn what he needs when he needs it!! LOL!! 🙂
For videos I like the LeapFrog ones
Sidewalk chalk is a big hit at our house.