Is anyone using milk that has DHA?  I am considering that when we make the switch.

Thanks for everyone's incredible replies!  Norcalmommy -- I love the video of your son!  I hadn't heard of the concept of sign approximation, but it makes perfect sense.  LongTallDrink -- I am so glad that your daughter started at the same age as my is. . .I'm going to check out those DVDs.

I just wanted to share this list I found at the World Book site http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum/preschool that has a list of what Preschoolers should know.  They also have links for other grade levels.  I think it is an interesting starting point.

Preschool Curriculum Guide
Size
* Understands big and little.
* Understands long and short.
* Matches shapes or objects based on size.

Colors and Shapes
* Recognizes and names primary colors.
* Recognizes circles.
* Recognizes rectangles.
* Matches shapes or objects based on shape.
* Copies shapes.

Numbers
* Counts orally through 10.
* Counts objects in one-to-one correspondence.
* Understands empty and full.
* Understands more and less.

Reading Readiness
* Remembers objects from a given picture.
* Knows what a letter is.
* Has been read to frequently.
* Has been read to daily.
* Looks at books and magazines.
* Recognizes some nursery rhymes.
* Identifies parts of the body.
* Identifies objects that have a functional use.
* Knows common farm and zoo animals.
* Pronounces own first name.
* Pronounces own last name.
* Expresses self verbally.
* Identifies other children by name
* Tells the meaning of simple words.
* Repeats a sentence of 6-8 words.
* Completes incomplete sentence with proper word.
* Has own books.
* Understands that print carries a message.
* Pretends to read.
* Uses left-to-right progression.
* Answers questions about a short story.
* Tells the meaning of words heard in story.
* Looks at pictures and tells a story.
* Identifies own first name in manuscript.
* Prints own first name.

Position and Direction
* Understands up and down.
* Understands in and out.
* Understands front and back.
* Understands over (on) and under.
* Understands top, bottom, middle.
* Understands beside and next to.
* Understands hot and cold.
* Understands fast and slow.

Time
* Understands day and night.
* Knows age and birthday.

Listening and Sequencing
* Follows simple directions.
* Listens to a short story.
* Listens carefully.
* Recognizes common sounds.
* Repeats a sequence of sounds.
* Repeats a sequence of orally given numbers.
* Retells simple stories in sequence.

Motor Skills
* Is able to run.
* Is able to walk a straight line.
* Is able to jump.
* Is able to hop.
* Is able to alternate feet walking down stairs.
* Is able to march.
* Is able to stand on one foot for 5-10 seconds.
* Is able to walk backwards for five feet.
* Is able to throw a ball.
* Pastes objects.
* Claps hands.
* Matches simple objects.
* Touches fingers.
* Able to button a garment.
* Builds with blocks.
* Completes simple puzzles
(5 pieces or less).
* Draws and colors beyond
* a simple scribble.
* Able to zip a zipper.
* Controls pencil and crayon well.
* Cuts simple shapes.
* Handles scissors well.
* Able to copy simple shapes.

Social-Emotional Development
* Can be away from parents or primary care givers for 2-3 hours
without being upset.
* Takes care of toilet needs independently.
* Feels good about self.
* Is not afraid to go to school.
* Cares for own belongings.
* Knows full name.
* Dresses self.
* Knows how to use handkerchief
or tissue.
* Knows own sex.
* Brushes teeth.
* Crosses residential street safely.
* Asks to go to school.
* Knows parents' names.
* Knows home address.
* Knows home phone number.
* Enters into casual conversation.
* Carries a plate of food.
* Maintains self-control.
* Gets along well with other children.
* Plays with other children.
* Recognizes authority.
* Shares with others.
* Talks easily.
* Likes teachers.
* Meets visitors without shyness.
* Puts away toys.
* Able to stay on task.
* Able to work independently.
* Helps family with chores.

Thanks neric6373!  I used to work in telecommunications and many of the engineers were from India.  I was always impressed with the fact that they not only had advanced engineering degrees, but had to adjust to a new culture and language.

I am in the US and I just wanted to say I am so impressed with people on this message board who had to learn English as a second language.  I don't have a gift for languages and I feel it's important for my daughter to learn at least one other language besides English.

I was wondering what age you learned English and in what way (school classes, parents, self study, etc.)?

Thanks!

My daughter is eight months old.  Is is it too late to start teaching her sign language?  I think it would be useful, but maybe reading and math should be the priority.

I actually told my husband that if we could just afford one educational item for our daughter that it should be Little Reader!  I feel the same way.  It is so much more useful that PowerPoint and the community here is priceless.

Your daughter is so lucky to have such a supportive mother!  My mother broke her hip two years ago and is now living with my husband and I.  She can't do much physically, but the amount that she reads to my daughter is priceless.  If my mother and I still lived apart I would love for her to have a copy of LR at her house.

I bought my daughter the Fisher Price Peek-A-Boo alphabet blocks.  They are clear plastic blocks each with a letter of the alphabet and an object that starts with that letter (eg. The "A" block has an airplane in it). 

I am looking for some wooden blocks with raised letters so she can feel the letters.  The ones I have seen are a little small and say "for ages 3 and above."  I saw some wooden blocks online that are the Uncle Goose brand.  They look like they might be bigger.  They also have different alphabets: Arabic, French, etc.  They were expensive, but looked like they would last.

Thanks for the info about Pimsler.  I have been looking at Rosetta Stone software but it is SO expensive!  My husband and I just speak english.  I don't think that two years of French I took in college is really going to help my daughter! LOL

christinc21 -  You don't happen to be near Gainesville, are you? 

We all aren't actually hat far away from each other.  Ok, maybe SC is a little far. . .
 

I was wondering if anyone is planning to have their chldren further apart in order to concentrate on each childs early education.  I believe that Glenn Doman wrote that children ideally should be at least three years apart.  That way the older children can help teach the younger ones.

I'm an older mommy so this might be my only one, but I was curious what factors others take into consideration when planning their families.

I just wanted to add this link to an article that I found interesting - http://www.babble.com/Vaccines-dont-cause-autism-So-why-do-so-many-people-believe-that-they-do-Paul-A-Offit-MD-Excerpt-Autisms-False-Prophets/

I have a few more months before I have to decide about the MMR vaccine.  Apparently our pediatrician has a serious conversation about the pros and cons before it is due.

It's a great theory, but I don't think the Americans would be that receptive.  For some reason, the prevelant feeling is to "let babies be babies."  I wish someone would shed some light on why Asian cultures are so accepting of teaching very young children, but we are so closed to it here in the US.

Also, I feel that government intervention makes things worse for the most part.  I am a product of the public school system but I don't really like the idea of sending my daughter to public schools.  I feel they breed mediocrity and a sheep mentality. 

Cassidy,

I'm in Tampa too!!!!   We have to do lunch.  My little girl is eight months old and I live in the Carrollwood area. 

Email me!