My ds will be 4 in October and he can sing the ABCs and knows his numbers up to 20 (with a few hit or miss between 15 and 20). He can only recognize a few written letters and written numbers up to 10. His friends of the same age can spell their names by now and I'm trying to teach my ds how to spell his name. He, however, is completely disinterested and even though I tell him what a particular letter is over and over, he puts up a mental block and can't (or won't) recite it back. I really don't push him at all but feel it's time that he should learn. He's incredibly smart and can retain words which I taught him only once -- it's amazing but when it comes to learning his ABCs and 123s, he puts up a mental block. He is also TOTALLY disinterested in drawing/art etc and can't copy letters or shapes (except a circle). I'm concerned because again most of his friends can write their names and draw stick figures etc. I'm curious to know where he should be developmentally for his age. Particularly interested to hear from kindergarten teachers etc and advice as to how I should proceed in teaching him.

By Tonya on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 11:50 am:

When Timmy was that age I could have written the same post but you know what he is graduating from pre-school next week and will be 5 in july he can now write he first and last name can count too high for me to listen to sometimes. Can recognizes most of his letters and #'s.

My advice don't push he will learn it. If he is agravated with you then he will really not want to work with you. Be patient and slow and he will be fine. School was awesoemf or Timmy it did what it was suppose to to get him ready for the big "K".

By Semperspencer on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 12:06 pm:

My son turned 4 in March and knows just about what your ds knows. He can write his name with a little help, knows his numbers through 20, can sing the ABC's, recognizes and can tell me what about 75% of the letters are when he sees them. He has a wonderful vocabulary. However, he does put up mental blocks with learning letters and numbers sometimes. It's at this point I know its time to drop it and try again a little later.

By Trina on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 12:31 pm:

Joyce, as a former teacher, your DS sounds right on track to me. You will be amazed how much he blossoms and learns between 4 and 5. Keep learning fun and part of daily life. Take advantage of those spontaneous teaching moments. If he shows an interest, go for it! Don't push if the interest isn't there. I know it's hard but try not to compare him to other kids. There is such a broad range of development during these years. They're all so very different! My DS was bright academically at a young age but a slow toilet trainer and not so physically agile. My DD was similar to your DS academically, and I was concerned, but now at almost 5 I'm confident she's ready for Kindergarten next year. The academics clicked later for her but she accomplished other milestones earlier than DS.

I wish I could go on but I'm short of time.

By Tklinreston on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 01:07 pm:

Thanks for the feedback guys. I know I shouldn't compare but I started getting concerned when again most of his friends were so far advanced than my ds. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong but like you said the more I push the more disinterested he became. I try to make it fun and steal moments to teach him things while we're just playing or watching tv but my ds is so smart to my ways, he immediately pick up on it and says "mom, can you stop and let's just read or watch tv"? Thanks again.

By Sunny on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 03:34 pm:

The only thing I'd like to add is (and I know you already know this )read, read, read to your kids! They are like little sponges and will absorb EVERYTHING.

By Dana on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 10:13 pm:

Joyce, DD turned 5 this month. She is just like your son. In the last month or so, she is starting to show more interest in numbers and letters. I plan to spend more "learning" time especially for letters, numbers, and yes, even getting dressed and undressed. She just has no interest. She is doing much better in all areas.

Now if you have a conversation with her, she'll blow you away w/ her comprehension of language. She also has a great understanding for biology and how things work.

So I just figure each child has certain areas that soar, while the "uninterested topics" take there time in showing skills. If you think about it, there is still so much learning going on in a preschoolers mind. Can you imagine having to learn that much every day?

By Paulas on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 10:28 am:

I remember reading a post from a concernred parent last year regarding kindergarten entry so I know the standards are different in the US than here in Canada. That being said, most of my kindergarten students had very little letter recongnition when they came to school in September and some could spell their name. In kindergarten I'm not worried that they spell their last name, only that they can recognize it.

Don't push him. My ds is the same way. He will also turn 4 in October. He is always asking me how to spell things b/c he hears his sister asking but he has no idea what I am talking about when I tell him.

Good luck