> that I like. My oldest
 > is only 2 and I have been told he needs to start
 > preschool next year. SO I am
 > not sure if I am worrying to soon and should just
 > decide closer to 1st grade.
Hi, Kelly.....just out of curiosity more than anything, is it state law or 
was it a recommendation from another professional that says your son needs to 
start preschool at age 3? I've done a little research and, from what I can 
tell, mandatory education laws vary from state to state but age 5 to 7 are 
the usual ages. I don't recall seeing any states with a lower mandatory ed 
law. In AZ, CA, IL, and AK (the states I am most familiar with), age 6 is the 
mandatory age. Age 3 seems a little young, tho a 1/2 day a couple of times a 
week of a good preschool (NOT daycare) could be beneficial.
There's lots of things you can do with a toddler at home that are fun and not 
of the "flashcard" variety. Most of the toddler and preschool toys put out by 
Tupperware, Playskool and Fisher Price are educational in nature. Even 
something as mundane as a toy phone is educational - think about the oral 
language and imagination that gets used with something like that, not to 
mention the numbers and letters that are usually on it! These toys can get a 
little pricey - thrift stores and garage sales are good places to find them, 
as well as putting them on "wish lists" that get given to grandparents and 
aunts/uncles, etc. Some good shareware programs can be fun on the computer, 
and just reading good picture books from the library is also good. Also, 
taking him places in the world - the zoo, aquarium, a fire station (or for a 
ride on the fire truck in October during Fire Prevention Week, if your city 
sponsors such a thing), to a parade, and anything else fun and exciting - 
these things provide life experiences which help in the biggest development 
during a child's first five years: oral language.
Hope this helps...
                                 -donna
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