Ok ladies, what do i do? she doesnt want to learn.

Dd is 3, turns 4 in june. I'm running in to the issue of she just doesn't want to learn. Her pedi recommended only working on learning for ten minutes a few times a day. We get 2-3 minutes in to the first go at it and she's asking to color. When I say "no, we're going to finish our shapes (or whatever) she keeps pushing..and when I say no again, she takes off in a fit. She's very smart but when it comes to actually sitting down and focusing, it's like she cant or won't. I don't know what to do. Do I bring it ip to her pedi when ds goes for his well baby visit next month? She can't recognize any letters but two of them (l and d) and can write them but that's it...she knows her songs, shapes, colors, animals, the noises animals make, has a great memory, can tell you a story that happened two years ago (she told me how her finger got caught in the can opener two years ago. I'm just not sure where to go from here.

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Asked by Anonymous at 1:21 PM on Feb. 16, 2012 in Preschoolers (3-4)

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I would not mention it for a few days, then come back to it. Children develop at different rates and she may just not be yet ready for the sitting down and focusing part yet.

Answer by NannyB. at 1:25 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 48390 Level 31 Preschoolers (3-4) Minor

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I would try to make the learning more like playing if at all possible. Kids are stuck sitting still at desks for so many years, why push it so early? I would find ways to make the lessons into games, which are always more fun than just sitting there.

Answer by hootie826 at 1:31 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 30212 Level 27 Preschoolers (3-4) 101

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I think you're pushing a bit too hard. Learning should be a fun experience, not frustrating. Otherwise, you possibly set her up for a lifetime of difficulty with education.

She knows quite a lot for a child her age. Have you let her watch Sesame Street. That's a very fun, effective way to learn letters, shapes, etc.

Answer by BrawnwynII at 1:33 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 70607 Level 35 Preschoolers (3-4) 101

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children learn by playing. sesame street is great, good call Brawnwynll. maybe you could color with her...color & draw the alphabet. you could probably find an abc coloring book or make your own on the computer & print pages off. one day color the letter a then the letter b and so on.

Answer by 25MamaBear1986 at 1:37 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
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Why does she have to sit and learn things? With my son EVERYWHERE can be a learning experience. For example...Travis do you like this red nailpolish? or Travis do you see the triangle? or look there are 1, 2, 3 circles...that this many fingers! This is what I do with my son. We can be anywhere and there are colors shapes numbers. If they think you are making them learn something it takes all the fun away. The way I taught my son his A B C's was y singing them to my 6 month old as her lulluby and soon enough my 3 year old started sing them too! GL hun!

Answer by LoViNmYbAbIeSs at 1:39 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
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Make it more fun. No reason she needs to sit down and be still to learn. My kids have all known their letters, numbers, shapes, etc. very early because we do it all the time - at the grocery store we talk about what color the apples are, make it a game to find two yellow fruits, pick out 3 (or 4, or 5) oranges, have them "read" the names of stuff by looking at the letters (look this box has an A on it, we're looking for a box with a D, can you find a D?, oh here it is!).
And I agree - Sesame Street is awesome! SuperWhy is another good show for letters.

Answer by missanc at 1:43 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 101251 Level 38 Preschoolers (3-4) Minor

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Some kids aren't emotionally ready to learn. And it becomes apparent when they start kindergarten. Don't push her but at 3 you can request from the school system to have her tested for delayed learning.

Answer by robinkane at 1:43 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 85083 Level 36 Preschoolers (3-4) Minor

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I agree that so much learning goes on in everyday activities. Like if you are at the grocery store have her help you find the certain cereal that begins with a G, etc. Incorporate something you would like to teach her in your everyday life. Much easier and much more fun! GL

Answer by whitepeppers at 2:11 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 12533 Level 22 Preschoolers (3-4) 101

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What? Only learn for ten minutes a day? That's crazy - kids learn all day long, there's not really much we can do to stop them! She does not, however, need to sit down and focus on something you have chosen for her to learn. She's only three! Go with what she's interested in. If she doesn't want to do shapes, let her color. As she colors, talk to her, engage her, ask her what she's doing, offer her information about whatever she's interested in, notice the techniques she's using to do whatever she's doing, let her choose what to learn about. Kids never have time to be kids these days - and, surprise surprise, it is negatively impacting their learning!! Did you know that the self-talk that goes on during unstructured play is essential to the development of executive function? In other words, kids are kids, kids are meant to be kids, and letting kids be kids will help them learn!!

Answer by FelipesMom at 2:42 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 18577 Level 24 Preschoolers (3-4) 101

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I agree that children learn by playing, & by doing. Play is a child's work. Seriously. There are so many books & articles on this (the first title that came to my mind was Einstein Didn't Use Flash Cards.)
When you say no to coloring & reiterate that she has to finish shapes (etc.), you're setting up a dynamic in which "learning" is unpleasant, a chore, something she "has" to do. If for that reason alone (apart from all the info we have on early childhood development & how early academic focus is unhealthy), I'd recommend rethinking this.
Other moms have given you ideas for "playfully" engaging her in shape/letter/number recognition, which could lead to a more positive experience. BUT, keep in mind that "knowing letters" is abstract/symbolic & arbitrary. Children are concrete thinkers. They only learn (true mastery) what they can DO & EXPERIENCE; the other is MEMORIZATION. Songs & poems are richer, more meaningful to memorize.

Answer by girlwithC at 3:27 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 6810 Level 19 Preschoolers (3-4) Minor

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