I've written a couple times, Ruf's levels really don't work for my kid. At least as he was as a preschooler. It's a fairly narrow listing of traits and abilities. There's nothing about complex lego sets, preschool multiplication, obsession with the world's religions, or analysis of plumbing systems which was where DS was at as a prescholer. The reading piece really was what made us think we just had maybe a MG kid. I take it for what it's worth - a loose guideline.

I still have great respect for Ruf and her work. I've also seen her speak. I think she's done amazing and important things in this field. I'd love to take DS to her.

We can (and should )have lively discussion on issues while still being polite.

LOL! This list makes me really want to meet your DS. What a fun and interesting kid!

I loved reading about your son, Mamabird. He reminds me very much of my DS5 and I'm starting to feel like life is accelerating too much and that formal schooling is looming too close.

I don't have anything useful to add - I'm sure you already have lots of sets of building materials (don't neglect the basic wood unit blocks - they have an long useful life) and it sounds like you know to ignore the age range given. So I'm just echoing the advice of others here, but I did want to say "welcome"!

It'd be great to get a lot of these kids together! I bet they would have a blast and solve a few of the world's problems.

Seeing that list makes me miss the preschool DS! I'm really looking forward to homeschooling and getting some of his fire back.

I would like to start by saying I really do appreciate all of you taking the time to read my post and respond with resources and advice. As a highly intellectual, middle class, working woman, I believe I will be able to form my own conclusions about the work people have done on this topic. Hopefully, without offending anyone I will say that I really do appreciate all the feedback and advice, but I don't particularly enjoy weeding through the bickering to find it.

Moving on...

I thought it was a very interesting comment made about children this age not normally engaging in play with other children, but rather, they engage in parallel play. (Sometimes I forget this is true) I commented about this to the daycare lady this morning and she said she finds it very interesting how he is so involved in actual play with the older children. When he is there, it sounds like he is somewhat of a ring-leader. One of the favorite things they play, once again, is trains. DS and his little buddy will line up and crawl around the room gathering "passengers" or "freight." One of them will be the engine and the other will be the coach car or the freight car. They will "hook up" by the second "car" holding on to the first "car's" feet. We often engage in this game at home as well (it is starting to take a toll on my knees!)

I also thought Kimck's comments about the furnace, plumbing, electrical work, etc was somewhat comical. My husband and I recently purchased a fixer-upper house and we are doing most of the repair ourselves. Our son is beside himself learning about all of the fixing we are doing. We purchased some little plastic tools for him last summer at a garage sale and it was the best $2 I think I ever spent! He followed DH around for a good hour last weekend "helping him" install new switches and outlets. Also, every time we go down into the basement, he has to check to see if the furnace is on. It is hilarious!

I like all of your thoughts on going to museums, zoos, etc. I live in the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN, so I have lots of great resources very nearby. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut in the winter, because of how darn cold it gets here!! It is often times easier just to stay home! I think I will check into what exhibits they have running in the near future at our children's museum and science museum! Great thought everybody, THANKS!

Mamabird,

Museums etc can be great, but don't worry if they aren't a "hit" at this age.

We live quite a ways out of town and I remember being very excited about taking DS to the zoo for the first time when he was just 4. We looked at several exhibits, showing him our favorite animals (sloth bear and ocelot), but it was hard to keep him engaged. We took a lunch break and he started chasing squirrels. Then after lunch we checked out the reptiles and apes. When we got home we asked him what his favorite animals and he said enthusiastically "The Squirrels!!!" We have 3 families of sqirrels living in our yard, so I swore that I would save my admission money for when DS was older.

Mamabird-

I was in St. Paul with my kids last summer. The science museum was wonderful and my little girls loved the children's museum too! Are these the museums you are referring to, or are there others located in Minneapolis itself?

Just curious-

Lorel

Those are the museums I am referring to. I have not taken my son to the museums yet, because I thought maybe he was too young. We have, however, gone to the zoos here several times. It is nice, we have one zoo that has lots of animals that are really more in a "wildlife habitat." That one is a little spendier to get in, and the animals are sometimes more difficult to see. We also have a small zoo and conservatory that is FREE to get in to. We frequent that one in the summer!

Oooh! Free zoo!

Ooh, zing, mamabird! Good on you.

Welcome to the board. Your ds sounds very bright indeed -- you're certainly in the right place. As others have said, at his age you'll want to follow his interests and allow him to develop them as far as he wants. If he seems interested in 3D shapes, expose him to cubes, spheres and pyramids -- there's no reason a 2.5yo shouldn't learn these things! Show him parallelograms, rhombi, and trapezoids, if he seems intrigued by shapes.

My ds was about your ds's age when I started to realize that he was a bit different. It's so much fun to watch them develop and grow through those preschool years! My ds was in full-time daycare as well, though we switched him to Montessori when he was 4 (and now he's in public K), and he doesn't seem scarred.

Really, as long as your ds is enjoying himself at home and at school, you don't necessarily need to do anything "special" at this point, other than allow him the freedom to explore areas that interest him -- even if those aren't the typical interests of a 2yo.

Again, welcome!