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I just want something fun to do with little one. He gets lost in the shuffle and though Im' not getting a whole lot done with the big kids either, I know it would be super easy to do some "tool" (his way of saying school) with my young 2yo. I am considering starting LHTH with him just simply for fun, knowing he won't really "get it" and it won't even really count as his first time through it. He's had some delays, didn't even say "mama" until 18m old. I feel like a giant blob of nothing-ness when I feel bad and just lay around on teh couch, so this is something I could replace it with> I'd love to add more reading in it though. Good picture books, rhyming and rhythmic books, etc. He has Sensory Processing Disorder and the rhythmic reading grabs him. Any ideas? I need something somewhat planned b/c if it's not in a box/checklist, it doesn't get done. (and there is no guarantee even then!)

Basically, I guess I really want to know if LHTH with one that won't get it this time around at all, not one bit, is even worth purchasing for...or should I grab some library books and just read. I want to have some basics in there too...colors, etc. I just need simple, very, very basic...like a small step behind LHTH, really. He needs some mommy time and asks for school...what do I give him?

I'm using it for my almost 2 (this month) and almost 4 year old. My little guy really gets it. He can identify a few letters and tries to sing along with some of the songs. He totally loves it. I'm sure I'll just repeat it for the next few years with him. We call it school but they really think it is super fun and ask to do more. We get up and dance around and play instruments along with the CD. If you have the time and you'd both enjoy it, why not!

That sounds like a party! LOL You have a fun house.
I do know that my 2yo just would. not. get. it. He's just not there yet. He is finally using some words, not just signs, and he's trying to just communicate. He doesn't really mimick animal sounds and such, but loves cows (which could be a cow or a horse or goats) and LOVES trucks and tractors. But he just isn't there yet like my others were at this age. He's always been so lovey and so personable, and so stinkin' cute...but he has some issues. He is getting a great imagination but really just starting to understand simple conversation we have with him. He loves books and can get through the cover and first page of a short picture book. He's very active, and very much still a baby. No colors, no counting, no real exchange of thoughts and ideas with him...he just makes noises and we take our best guess. I just don't know...I feel like some simple stuff would just be fun. But I really want to read more to him b/c he is growing there, wanting more than just that cover page. LOL I don't want to over-burden him either b/c I know me...I'll feel like if we're doing it, he should be able do DO some of it and LEARN some of it. Right? You KWIM? I took my pills so you may totally not know what I mean right now ! LOL I'll be back tomorrow to check on this post and see if I need to clarify anything.

Mom2Monkeys wrote:That sounds like a party! LOL You have a fun house.
I do know that my 2yo just would. not. get. it. He's just not there yet. He is finally using some words, not just signs, and he's trying to just communicate. He doesn't really mimick animal sounds and such, but loves cows (which could be a cow or a horse or goats) and LOVES trucks and tractors. But he just isn't there yet like my others were at this age. He's always been so lovey and so personable, and so stinkin' cute...but he has some issues. He is getting a great imagination but really just starting to understand simple conversation we have with him. He loves books and can get through the cover and first page of a short picture book. He's very active, and very much still a baby. No colors, no counting, no real exchange of thoughts and ideas with him...he just makes noises and we take our best guess. I just don't know...I feel like some simple stuff would just be fun. But I really want to read more to him b/c he is growing there, wanting more than just that cover page. LOL I don't want to over-burden him either b/c I know me...I'll feel like if we're doing it, he should be able do DO some of it and LEARN some of it. Right? You KWIM? I took my pills so you may totally not know what I mean right now ! LOL I'll be back tomorrow to check on this post and see if I need to clarify anything.

I am in your shoes! Well, my two year old is probably much more delayed (she isn't walking yet.. so close to walking for a year now!); but I understand where you are coming from.
My oldest three could easily have enjoyed LHTH at age 2, and understood it. They knew colors, counting, letters, etc..etc. at 2 and would have thought it was fun. My youngest is still a long ways from LHTH.

So the few things I do with my very delayed two year old:
I do read to her. I try to do a little here and there throughout the day. She is really growing in being able to sit on my lap and enjoy a book. It is also good for our relationship. I started home schooling my oldest when she was a baby, and I feel like she hasn't had the attention the other 3 had.

So the books I am doing:
Lots of board books. Some with counting, some Bible, some with colors, some for fun.
I have also started reading the SL P3/4 books that I have to her. I have been very surprised that she will sit through them and enjoy them. She enjoys the pictures and hearing me read.

Beyond that she really isn't ready for anything. Like I said though I am sure that she is more delayed then your son. She can talk, and understand what we say, but in so many ways is still a baby too.

I hope this helps. It has crossed my mind to want to do LHTH with her too, but she wouldn't understand it. So we do other things. Oh, I also try to play with her a little. I would like to do more of this. She loves to build towers. So I try once a day to encourage her building skills.

I think you could get the younger Bible used in LHTH and at least read a story out of that each day, but not necessarily use the activities in the guide. Also, I was going to suggest reading books from SL Core P3/4. If you don't want to buy the books, you should be able to get most of them at any library. Maybe look for books from the BFIAR list too.

I really like Samuel'sMommy's idea of starting "A Child's First Bible"! The readings are very short, and the pictures are bright and engaging. It usually has 1 question or thought for each reading too. You could also pop in "The Singing Bible" and just have ds enjoy listening to it as he plays, marches, or does whatever to the music. The songs retell the Bible stories, and I still loved them the third time through with Emmett, so they would be fun to do again later when you officially do all of LHTH with him. I think both of these activities would help him take small steps toward starting LHTH the following year when he is more ready overall.

I understand being "stuck on the couch" (bedrest for basically my entire pregnancy with Emmett). I'm so sorry you are in the middle of that now - I will pray for the Lord to encourage you. A few ideas - if you have a tiny table and chairs you could put near the couch, you could do very simple puzzles with him (i.e. the peg wood puzzles). You could also have him have a snack by you while you read to him. The "Cheerios" books are fun - where dc put Cheerios in the indentations provided in the book. Nursery rhyme books are a great and fun way to work in some rhymes and rhythmic reading. There was a set of nursery rhyme board books I used with Wyatt that were very inexpensive way back when. He struggled with speech, didn't say hardly any words at all when he was 2 years old, and those little board books were great for him. I bet your little guy would love you just reading books to him. The teacher in me always loves the books that are fun but also teach letters, colors, shapes, and common words. A basket of these near the couch would be nice. I believe DK (and other companies as well, maybe it was "Baby Einstein") makes bright flashcards that you could lay out on the tiny table, say 3 at a time, and have him pick up or point to the one picture you name. This increases vocabulary as well.

Those are a few "tiny table" type ideas that would work as you do your couch time. The LHTH younger Bible and Singing Bible would give continuity to your time with him, and then you could rotate tiny table ideas as well. I hope something here helps, but I am also praying for you, Tamara!

In Christ,
Julie

I did LHTH when my kids were 4 and 2. The 2 year old had a blast, she loved every minute of it (you can see snapshots of our activities on my blog page). I didn't expect her to retain the ABC's and 123's of it, as we'll go through it again when she's 3.5 - 4. But she loved the Bible, fingerplays, activities and songs. It will be a special time that your little boy can enjoy with Mommy.

Thank you ALL so much!! Things have gone crazy here so this little ideas will help keep him content. I'll work on that tiny table idea once we've moved...b/c we don't have a tiny table right now and I don't want to buy more books and stuff to have to move!