kids problem

[mandeep990]

My son is 4 1/2 and this is his second year in preschool.  He will be in preschool 1 more year due to his birthday and the school cutoff age.  

I can honestly say that I have been trying to teach him his ABC's and 123's for about 2 years now.  He knows the ABC song and can count to 16.  But when asked if he can find a certain letter or number, he usually does not know.  He does recognize numbers 0-3 and maybe about 10 letters, but that is it.  He is not interested.  While teaching him, I have used puzzels, books, workbooks, DVD's, number and alphabet charts, Leap Frog hand held games as well a v-tech.  I have also used a reward system with m&m's, tossing a ball for every correct answer, making a big deal about it, telling him how proud I am, etc.  .  I was hopeing to get more information on what may be wrong.  Thank You

[JMC6371]

How much time do you spend with him when he is using the dvds, charts, books, and leap frog? that is the key in the beginning. At least 30 minutes for any one that you do together. Eventually, he will want to do it more on his own and ask you not to help or answer. Our son, who seems to have anger issues at school, does extremely well with all of those things you mentioned but he started out just like your son. When we came home from school and work one of us spends 30 minutes with him doing the activities. We even got him to slown down when coloring so he can stay in the lines better! hope this was insightful.

[specialmom]

What does his preschool say?  Is he far out of the norm?  I'm guessing he is not.  I would try not to worry too much.  Sometimes kids can feel the pressure of our wanting them to do something and it slows it down even more.  I have a 4 year old and a 5 year old that both learn at different paces.  Both like to do 123/abc dot to dots.  I sit and help them---- and make no big deal if they need help going to the next letter.  Read to him often and give him books to look at alone.  All books are good but make sure you have some ABC books and number books.  This is the quickest way to literacy.  And as I've learned from some very good child development experts, a child of 4 can sit for roughly 10 to 15 minutes to do an activity.  That is why preschool is usually broken down into short increments. Down the road, if there is a problem such as dyslexia----  there are things to do.  I wish you lots of luck!