Hi Akkuka
I must say that your post saddened me a little. Labelling your son naughty seems to me that you’ve already put him in a box. Early education is all about holding the highest image of your child. I am not discounting the fact that possibly he has other motives or intentions than what you would like for him. But most often, a “naughty” child, is a misunderstood child. So, for example, if you ask him not to touch something and he goes ahead and touches it, he may just be needing to learn about his environment and desperate to touch something to learn about it. If he breaks something, he may be trying to take it apart so that he understands how it’s done. I am not saying that children don’t need boundaries and discipline, but maybe some of his “naughtiness” can be attributed to his fervent desire to learn.
There are MANY acitivites that you can do with a very active toddler that can keep their active little bodies stimulated, and help you to understand them better.
Take Math for example. Instead of sitting him at the computer, forcing him to look at Math software, you could make a soft dice, and throw it on the floor and shout out the number with him. Then the next dice, and add them up together. You could make doman Dot cards, and throw them on the floor and he could jump on them while you both shout out the number. you could use beads to add up numbers and count. you could paint dots or use trucks etc to count. keeping him active is how they learn best. Children need to move to learn.
I do not doubt that you have those three goals for your son. We all have desires / needs. But if you start out with a timeline, and a specific goal he MUST reach by then, your teaching is going to be strained, and you’re going to get upset and frustrated with him if he does not achieve those.
I really cannot recommend the book enough: right brain education: changing the world one heart at a time - by Pamela Heickin (www.rightbrainkids.com) - her children MORE than achieved the goals that you have set for your son, but they were done without initially setting out those targets, and in a gentle, loving manner. The important thing about Right Brain education, is that you do not test the right brain. Which means you never put them under stress to perform in front of others. And when you’re teaching him, you shout out the numbers, for example, until he feels safe and confident enough to shout them out with you. It will come, that I promise.
I am the HUGEST control freak, and this method of learning has been both an eye opener, as well as taught me that I can’t control everything in my life - let alone my daughter’s. But I am happy to say that she is 23 months, reads, does basic Math, has an EXTENSIVEe vocab, loves music and amazes me every day.
Be gentle on yourself and your child and…
Good luck!