Is DS2 (23 mths) abnormally bright learner and what to do about it!?!

[alphabeteer]

Thought I would ask for some MN experience/thoughts and wisdom on DS2, who is 23 months and astonishes me with his ability to learn numbers and letters. I can only base my experience on DS1 who's 3 yrs 8 mths, and way 'behind' his younger brother (who BTW is 22 mths younger!!!). DS1 seems more average in his learning.

DS2 knows 23 out of 26 letters. As you're loading a DVD or on TV he will actually read out from the screen 'DVD', or 'OK' etc. He seems to actually understand (not sure if possible!) that 'B' is for bear, as he will say when we are out and about when he sees a letter B, 'B for bear' and 'B for Bertie bus' etc. He just seems very keen and geeky when it comes to letters, and will bring me paper and pen saying 'draw M for mummy' etc. He can count 1-12 and read out these numbers, out of sequence. I tested him in the PO queue where there some birthday candles shaped like numbers for cakes. I started at 9 and went backwards - he got them all! And what amazes me is it's not just in favourite familiar books that he can say his letters, it's out and about with unusual signs in elaborate fonts.

From 21 mths people have asked 'when did he turn 2?' etc, as he seems so bright.

Does anyone think this is a bit abnormal?! I guess I really would like to know if anyone has expert views or experience of their on DCs being like this, as I wonder whether I should be doing something extra for him, to stretch him etc? Or is just normal and I can keep plonking him in front of CBeebies and be the neglectful mother I am most of the time!

Definitely not an annoying gloating mother, just one trying to keep ahead of her kids (for a change!). TIA.

[BlueBumedFly]

He does sound nice and bright. DD is 23 months, she can do all the alphabet with her alphabet cat, knows all letters using the A for apple B for bear etc and points out letters in books of our names 'm' for mummy s for sasha etc. Number are not as good but she can do shapes and colours.

I am proud of her but think by the time she goes to school at 5 it will all even out and all the kids will be the same.

Good luck keeping up, I would just enjoy it.

[Nemoandthefishes]

While he enjoys it do things with him but foesnt necessarily mean anything. Ds is no 5.5yrs and by 2 knew all his alphabet could 'read' some words like mummy, daddy, yes ,no,ok etc He was reading before he went to nursery and was able to count up to about 50. We have been told he is bright and advanced but at the end of the day he is a little boy who loves the same things as his friends. His latest obsession is football and he can recall a lot of players and different teams etc but he is 5. While he was academically bright he was socially immature and luckily the past couple of months seems to be catching up with this. I would just carry on as normal and dont overly push it. I have another DD who is similair to ds and at 2.2yrs have been told she has a talent for dancing[WTF] and is bright, dd1 on the other hand is 3.2yrs and not interested at all in letters and only just in numbers and writing her name. they are all different but it balances out. At 23mths I wouldnt be worrying about it yet.

[vonsudenfed]

DD also knew all her letters and numbers before two (and was obsessed with them and really wanted to learn them), but all I think it shows is a good ability for visual recognition.

I'm not an educator, so I can't say what's 'right', but what we're trying to do with her is not focus on 'clever' things, but keep her doing drawing, and running and throwing ball and all the other things that a two year old should be up to.

From my own experience, I know that being ahead at school and therefore being a) bored and b) teased is not a whole heap of fun...

[piscesmoon]

It doesn't mean that he will be ahead at school-there are lots of bright DCs out there and teachers do differentiate the work.

[fijibird]

I think he sounds pretty bright & the answer to your question is up to you! Do you want to try & 'harness' his interests & see what develops - remembering that you may then have a whole host of problems when it comes to school as he will be ahead of his peers & may a) need extra lessons or b) a school that ability tests for entry to nursery/reception & will charge fees or c) may be considered SEN or do you want to take a chance & almost discourage his interests in 'geeky' things to get him up to scratch socially, emotionally & physically (as he may be a late developer in these areas). Only you know your child & if he loves something then perhaps he should be gently encouraged. Please don't think in terms of 'normal' & 'abnormal' as there are many kids out there who read by 3 they are just not the majority! I also know that it can be very hard & you might long for an average child who joins in with everything & acts like all the other kids - good luck!