My son is 3 years old since last month... I do alphabet and color books with him, but am wondering how far should I excpect him to get? I want him to be right on when starting preschool. But i dont push him and we dont do a lot of "school work".

shygrneyzs

There are many useful and helpful websites for preschool, that include developmental charts, activities, all aspects of child rearing. Do a search for "preschool curriculum" and that should bring up quite a few sites. Also search for "early childhood". Your library, in the children's section would have a wealth of information. Also look in the library for teacher resources. Anything you can get free. To get you an idea go to: http://www.preschoolbystormie.com/ Is your son eligible for Head Start? By age, he is. Head Start is a free program, for whose families who meet income requirements.
Best of luck to you.

DJ 'H'

to follow on from shygrneyzs - All you can do is make learning fun to encourage him and provide him with pre-school resources. The rest you must leave up to your son. All children learn and respond at different paces and abilities.

J_9

While it is great to get ahead. You don't want to get too far ahead. If you go to far your little one may be bored when it comes time for school. He may not feel challenged if he knows everything the teacher is teaching.

Being bored in school can be a big problem for some kids. They tend to become the "troublemakers" or the kids who actually get low grades.

Stick with your colors, shapes, letters and numbers.

DJH is right, all children learn at different paces.

shygrneyzs

I agree with J_9 and DJ 'H'. Learning has to be fun and there are so many ways to incorporate learning without making it seem like work. For example - math concepts - identifying shapes - you see shapes every day, say when you go shopping. Same for colors - asking your child to get his red jacket - things like that. Not stressing the school learning part but making it everyday. And while the developmental charts are great as a measurement - don't panic if your son is not "on target" in a certain area. Always best to consult your doctor. Every child matures differently. So take a deep breath and enjoy being the great mom to a great son. Best to you!

J_9

How to incorporate is is perfect!!!

My kids all knew their right from their left by the time they were 1.

It is all in how you do it.

From birth I would say, "give me your left foot" and then I would put the sock on the left foot and visa versa.

It is all in how you approach the subjects.

shygrneyzs

It is just me again. Some useful sites, and free for the most part, unless you want to purchase something... www.janbrett.com www.brightideas.com www.familyeducationnetwork.com www.eduhoundweekly.com www.mainstreetmoms.com (you can connect with other free newsletters here also) and www.atozkidsstuff.com There is so much out there that can be purchased and look outstanding, so professionally done. But I always found that families I worked with appreciated the knowledge that they can make everything they need and it is more fun, because it is doing it with the child. Being a former Head Start teacher - I can appreaciate cheap, free, and recyclable things. lol.