How Soon is Too Soon?

I have an amazing 2-year old (What mother doesn't?) who recognizes the letters of the alphabet and can tell you the sounds the letters make. He can also count to twelve. He's been sporadically visiting www.starfall.com since July. Today, he sat in front of the computer and put the beginning sounds on three letter words ALL BY HIMSELF without prompting or help using the mouse.

So, do I run out and buy him a bunch of workbooks and computer programs? Do I schedule lessons for R alongside K & T? On one hand, he's very smart and eager to learn. At 24 months he played out elaborate fantasies and pretended to read books. It took him about a month to learn to count. He masters anything he takes a notion to provided it is physically possible. (He still hasn't completely given up on being able to fly on a broomstick.)

On the other hand, he is still primarily a barbarian, regularly trying to sneak his sword to the dinner table, bathtub, bed, car rides, etc...and heartily willing to attempt the slaying of anyone who crosses him. He fears nothing, except bears. Furthermore, his speach is still somewhat primitive (i.e. Dad, me power rang-er.) Then there are the diapers. Trying to change one usually results in much screaming of "No, leave ME 'lone!" followed by a full frontal assault with the above mentioned sword. Using the potty is out of the question.

Should I structure his learning or let my little barbarian set his own course? Is it normal to learn to read before you are potty-trained?

You Catch It, Mom

Bug collecting is not going as well as I expected. Sure, there's lots of enthusiasm...in the form of "you catch it, mom," "come on, mom, we really need one of those for our collection," or "don't let it get away, mom!" NOPE! That is not how it was supposed to work. They're all excited about adding new insects to the collection but less than enthused about doing the work required!

The excuses I have heard include: "it might bite me," "It's too fast," and "it's yucky." They have no qualms about picking up a couple of three inch long cockroaches that have been affectionately named Olaf and Sparky. They were very excited when one of them molted. And, they were disappointed to discover that they were indeed both male, and therefore, will not be producing little, baby cockroaches. (Yay!) How can they pick up and pet those monsters and yet be afraid of being bitten by a ladybug?

Why Are There Dead Bugs on the Microwave?

That was the question E posed to me yesterday afternoon. They had been there for about a week. "We're studying invertebrate animals, honey," I replied. "Can't you put them somewhere besides on top of the microwave," he asked trying not to grimace too much. I knew he wasn't going to be pleased with us collecting bugs and bringing them into the house.

In my defense, it wasn't like they were laying there loose on the microwave. They were in storage containers and unable to contaminate anything. I really do need to trek up to Staples and get a mounting board, before E threatens to divorce me.

He's probably going to leave me when he discovers the giant hissing cockroach anyway. I was perusing the Carolina Biological Supply online catalog the other night and stumbled upon the cockroach. Apparently, they make good pets. They don't bite, eat breakfast cereal, and only hiss when they feel threatened. Once they are tamed they rarely hiss. They get pretty good size for a bug - 8cm. T thought it was a good idea to get one for a pet and even suggested studying it for a science lesson. So, we decided to order a hissing cockroach. I'm not sure how E is going to feel about it. I mentioned that we were getting one. He heard me, but I'm not sure he was listening. I think he thought I was joking. Oh well, he'll survive.

I suspect this year is going to be rough for E considering all the dead and live animals we will be collecting, dissecting, and studying.