Less tv

Maybe try incorporating what he’s watching into real life? Like if you watch a show about gardening, buy a house plant or start a small indoor garden together. Animal show = zoo; food show = cooking or baking; art show = arts and crafts; etc etc

You could try to incorporate a learning time into your day (counting, practicing phonics, reading books, etc.), even just 15 or 30 minutes to start with. If you set a timer daily for it, it could help with routine, and him knowing it's time for the learning time when the timer goes off or something.

Honestly, just reduce the tv time and focus more on lower-stimulation activities. The screen time is the problem.

The reason he gets bored is because his brain has become accustomed to bright colours and flashy rewards. Miss Rachel teaches him a letter. Then she says 'Good job, well done!!!" no matter what he says or does. Or an education app or toy that lights up and flashes, or gives a trophy when he gets a right answer. Those things create a dopamine rush. They are a reward.

I'm not saying you're using educational apps or whatever, but when his brain is exposed to that type of reward consistently, he learns to expect it. He can't sit still and function with a workbook, because it doesn't have the same reward. It's a struggle. It doesn't adjust the difficulty. It is frustrating. And there is no reward. So why would he want to do it?

Now some of this is just 2yo nonsense. They have short attention spans. But kids have to learn the reward of just hard work and self-satisfaction, without all the bright flashy colours and rewards. In real life, in homework, at school, you don't always get a trophy for a right answer. You only have your own self-satisfaction. That's one of the things screens do, they make you accustomed to that higher level of stimulation. Real life work is boring and often very low stimulation. The more his brain is wired around low stimulation work and steady progress, the more he will learn that self-satisfaction is it's own reward, and he will learn how to persevere even when it's difficult.

A 2 year old does not need to be doing workbooks or specific learning activities. They also do not need to be watching tv. They learn through play and through existing in the world and being interacted with. Lots of play, lots of time outside, narrate what you are doing, involve them in everything, let them help you, ask them questions, enjoy stories together, let them be a 2 year old.

I agree with the messages above. The reason you’re finding his attention span is short is likely due to the tv. Also, it’s not important for a 2 year old to sit and do workbooks. The best way for them to learn is through play, and after a while of no TV you’ll notice his imagination gets better, he will play more actively and through that will be getting the learning he needs. If you are really keen for him to have specific learning experiences through his play, then just invest in some good resources. I.e little number logs, letter blocks, old school weighing scales, old calculators etc and just set them up in his play.

Me and my son will do little activities like making playdoh (just chuck oil, flour, water and food colouring together) but I let him do the mixing and pouring and things.

I found when I cut out tv my son’s ability to concentrate and play just sky rocketed. He’s now 4, and can watch a bit of tv and have it not affect him. He plays for hours on end x

Take it away. Slowly the attention span will start spanning. SLOWLYYYY. like ever so painfully slow. YEARS SLOWWWWWWW 😭 take it away. No more all done all gone except for when you really need a sick day/mental day or chores. Matter fact include him in the chores. Nothing more educational than everyday life activities he WILL do as a big kid/adult. Not a punishment if it’s a part of life 🙏

You do not need to be doing workbooks with a 2 year old. They are 2. You need to be doing the real world. The park, shopping, soft play, gardening, cooking/baking, colouring, playing games, toys, dressing up, building forts, riding balance bike, playing with friends and family, read stories, sing songs. Learning should be in the play. If your child enjoys sitting with a workbook you can do that but it shouldn't be the priority they don't even do that when they start school