where to start with 2 year old

Focus on habit (see Sonya’ book, Laying Down the Rails), outside time, and reading great books to him.

I also agree.  habit training, outside time, and reading great books.

I’d add in having good classical music in the background…. 

and although NOT CM, I tend to feel that Suzuki Music training starting at about age 3 or 4 is very valuable (hense my nickname…)

If I had to do it over again…I would start the habit training like other’s mentioned, start a home library now and  read, read, read all the good books you can get your hands on, take him/her to the library for their activities, park days all the time (outdoor time), trips to the zoo, puzzles, play-dough days, painting, museums (hands-on for little one’s), limit noisy toys and twaddly books (gifts from inlaws, etc.).  I can think of more if you like, but I will stop there.

If I were you…I would start reading CM material now, weed out of your mind (by asking questions) those things that are not necessary for a home education and save yourself some $$$ and time, get a binder (Planning Your CM Education might be premature, but I don’t know) to jot down ideas such as books, activities, curriculum (familiarize yourself with the material and know what you would/would not use), prices, etc.  I believe after looking at things yourself and knowing your own personality you can become a good judge of what would and would not work for you.

I hope that helps and does not confuse:)

Oh, one more thing. Have fun and let him have fun, too! 

Books for 2yo: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See (Bill Martin, Jr.)

Most of Eric Carle’s books are good for 2yos. Dd loves The Very Quiet Cricket. Of course, what I think she likes about it is the last page. It’s designed to make a cricket sound when the page is turned.

Goodnight Moon (Brown)

The Carrot Seed (Krauss)

It might not be too early to start Mother Goose rhymes.

How Do I Love You by PK Hallinan

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney (ds’s favorite at that age)

HTH,

Karen

On the homepage of this site is an Early Years link (scroll way down). There is a book list there for 3, 4 and 5 year olds.  I would start collecting them or see if your library carries them.  We have acquired a few for our home library and have been fortunate enough to have them available at our library.

Dana, in reference to your post “What specifically would’ve helped?”;  Habits such as attention, obedience, patience, sweet even temper, order, neatness (many more are written about in Laying Down the Rails that CindyS mentioned);  I honestly didn’t give the children enough credit at the age of two of being able to form these habits.  I thought they were too young.  But the truth is, they were forming habits;  just not good ones because we weren’t intentional about training them.  Now I’m having to go back and help them replace the bad ones with good ones, which is a longer process. Laying Down the Rails is definetly a book I would’ve invested in when ours were younger if I’d known about it.

I love one of Charlotte’s quotes “The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days.” 

A book that I’ve read to my kids since they were very little is “Christian Mother Goose.” My now 7 year old still loves it. Basically, it is Mother Goose, but written from a Christian viewpoint. You can get it from here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0529073153/sr=8-1-catcorr/qid=1275307573/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1275307573&sr=8-1-catcorr&seller

But I also agree with all the other advice you have been given here. Especially about the book “Laying Down the Rails.” It is by far one of the best, and most helpful, books I have used. God Bless You and your family on this journey.

Malissa 🙂