Letters and numbers are among the concepts
small children should know
Updated March 07, 2017
Toddlers and preschool-aged children should be familiar with
early learning concepts such as letters, colors, and numbers. This stage of
learning is not about formal schooling. Rather, it focuses on introducing basic
skills and facts that help young children gain independence and understand the
world around them. Parents and teachers can best introduce early learning
concepts naturally through the context of reading,
everyday activities, songs and playful
games that stimulate
children's curiosity without putting pressure or stress on them.
A roundup of early learning concepts for preschoolers follows. Keep in mind,
however, that every child develops at his own pace. Try not to compare your
little one to other toddlers. Also, there's no "right" order in which
children learn these concepts. Some children learn letters way before numbers
and some learn to identify shapes much earlier than others.
Identifying Letters Is an Early Learning Concept
How soon your child can say the ABCs depends mostly on how often
you sing along with her. Your child may master the song by age 2 if she hears
it repeatedly, but she won't understand that each of those sounds is separate
and individual letters. It will likely be another couple of years before your
child understands that letters make up words.
Learning to Count
Like letters, toddlers begin to learn numbers by just repeating
the sounds that you say. While your little one may be able to "count"
to 10 or even 20, most children don't understand the actual concept of quantity
until the preschool years. They may not connect the word "three" with
its numeric symbol until then as well.
Recognizing Colors
Singing tunes such as the
"Rainbow Songs" help children learn colors. Your child might even
express having a favorite color. And by repeatedly pointing out different
colors to children, you will teach them to find the right name for each shade.
Animal Names and Sounds
Books about animals such as DK
Publishing's "My First Animal Board Book" offer a great way to teach
children to identify specific animals. A real-life trip to the zoo is also well
worth the time and money. Remember, though, that bunnies look different from
book to book and even in the wild. Your toddler may take time to recognize that
the sheep dog down the block and the picture of a bulldog in her storybook are
all "dogs."
Knowing Names of Foods
Not surprisingly, your child
will probably try to say the names of his favorite treats first.
"Cookie!" is a common early word. Your child might begin to use food
names without discretion, for example, calling all food "chicken."
She might also ask for "breakfast" no matter what time of day it is.
Helping your toddler identify specific foods early on by pointing them out on
the plate can help her learn the right words for foods, which could alleviate
some of the frustration that comes when your child is a bit fussy
about meals and feels strongly that he wants yogurt but not
peas.