Ha, yes that's better I think. My son loves trucks so I'm sure it will be a hit with him.

I like music and actions of animations but not a fan off the faces...perhaps something happier rather than so grumpy/odd looking? Particularly for little ones?

Wow, great reply Mandaplus! I will look into all that. I keep on racking my brain thinking of things that he might like so it's great to receive your reply.  Good He is such a fiddler, always trying to figure out how things work. It's infuriating at times.  The Lego technic books were great, but as you said, not really appropriate for his age group. Didn't have the fine motor control to create the machines, but I made a few for him and he enjoyed playing with them. I've put them up in the cupboard for a later time.

Mmm, sounds like an advertisement to me...

Just wanted to say I looked into the Klutz books (Crazy Contraptions and Chain reactions) and they look perfect.There are also a couple of Klutz titles I believe he'd enjoy so thanks again!

Thank you for your reply. I will purchase fit baby smart baby today. I will also look into signing time and whether you can purchase in Australia. My youngest used to watch a baby signing video too and learnt a lot from it.

I saw an infant psychologist about baby yesterday. It was very insightful.  She basically said that she is genetically/temperamentally a sensitive baby. Her emotions are stronger than the average baby and they intensify fast. She gave me some tips to help her learn to regulate her emotions. She said she will 'keep me on my toes'. She is going to be lots of work! 

Hi all ,
I've dabbled in early learning for my first born and he is going well but nothing extraordinary. He is 3 and starting to read a bit  but I've never pushed it. He has never been a really keen learner in an academic sort of way - prefers to work things out on his own - I don't want to be the sort of parent who tries to make early learning 'fun' through gritted teeth to a reluctant child!

My second baby, a 5 month old girl, is so very cranky and moody compared to him! She is a terrible sleeper too - hates bed!. I've been trying to understand her and have had a few people mention she is very alert and some of the whining may be frustration. She is only consistently happy outward facing, in a carrier, and when I am out and about.  She also enjoys little reader, and kicks her legs in excitement.  I do not do any other early learning with her other than recite poems and talk to her.

I am just wondering whether anyone has had experience with a baby like this and does more focused early learning help? 

Either way, I was interested in the trying some Doman suggestions for physical development as I believe she will be happier when she can move. What book would you suggest I begin with? I was looking at Fit Baby Smart Baby. Is that any good?

Thanks for any ideas!

ThanksLinzy. He has a smaller version of snap circuits and loves it. I will look into getting the proper thing. I will also look into the book you suggested.

I have a 3 year old who has finally started reading which is very exciting however I am starting to realise he is more like dad than me. Dad comes from a line of fitters and turners and is very ''right brain" (though he somehow became an accountant). My boy is fascinated with how things work .. Loves fiddling with the gears in the car, torches, record players, pumps etc I am just wondering how to nurture this is him? Any good books for with ideas for teaching mechanics/machines? Or toys apart from lego technic? Or anything else? I've just spent an hour googling and have come up with very little! I'm illiterate in this area myself. Not mechanically minded at all!

Thanks Amalie. Some really great ideas and a sensible reply! I think I'm expecting too much of him because his language has advanced so much. Not a baby baby anymore, just moving past toddler stage and yet not quite a preschooler. I'm also a bit out if practice because I've been preoccupied with work etc. I need to sit down and tune in to him again.  I will let you know how it goes:)

I just posted a sort of related topic mum...about concentration...so I'm finding some of these ideas helpful too.
What is it about TV do you think? I think I've noticed a connection between my son's behaviour worsening and T.V. watching. Too stimulating ?  Too passive? Unfortunately we don't have too much control over it. Our Family Day Care provider lets him watch T.V. - and sometimes way too much. We are hoping to get him in a center soon (with no TV) but centers in our area are very hard to get into (despite the fact he has been on several waiting lists for 2 + years).
 

Hi. I'm having some difficulty involving my 2.5 year old boy in non screen type activities. He has no problem concentrating on ipad educational games (with me or alone), Little M,  TV (no surprise there) and he will sit and listen to me read books to him for a good 30minutes or so. However, he will rarely play with his other toys (Lego, Wedgits, train sets, puzzlesdrawing,  etc). I have tried to sit with him and involve him and even then I will often have trouble. For example, today, he just knocked over any Wedgits towers I tried to help him build (he wouldn't build his own), threw all his bubble mixture on the floor, decided to chase the neighbour's dog with a 'fishing rod' from a fishing puzzle rather than use it for it's intended purpose and was more interested in packing his textas away rather than drawing with them! if I didn't try to involve him in anything he just moped around. No tantrums or anything....just a lack of engagement.
I haven't spent much time alone with him recently (and he probably hasn't spent a lot of time in his own company either). He is in family day care 3 days and usually our days home are quite full (playgroup, visits with other kids etc), but coming up to Christmas, these activities are winding down.  Is it a lack of 'practice' .... i.e. he is not used to entertaining himself without his peers? Do I need to persist?
I'm also 35 weeks pregnant so my own energy levels aren't great...perhaps he is picking up on that?
Or is this just normal? Am I expecting too much of a 2.5 year old boy? '
Any thoughts? Is there anything I can do?

Hi, I'm after an iPad app to teach basic skills such as same/different, sequencing, spot the missing part etc Suitable for a 2-3 year old. It doesn't have to be free. Anyone have any ideas?

Hi.Just to let you know the I bought the Monart  book.  I had a little trouble understanding her strong emphasis on line and the beginning but once I got through to the shading section she explains this. It has given me some ideas to start with so thanks. I am going to read 'Young at Art' too for a different approach. It will be interesting to compare their ideas :-)

  rocking up with dvd's might help. At least it would be better than watching Peppa Pig or In the Night Garden (they are not that bad, but not great).
What DVD's would you suggest out of curiosity?
I'll give talking to her another go, perhaps with the support of the family day care organisation she is contracted by.
I realise she is not my friend. I just don't want her taking any anger out on my kid, but I guess she'd have to be pretty nasty/unprofessional to do this long term.  She has it pretty good with my son. He is well behaved and toilet trained and he doesn't swear, bite and destroy things like some of her past 'clients'. So maybe it is in her interest to keep us happy too...
I am also a bit of a coward too    I hate conflict!