Reply #23: Keep in mind that if he's a toddler

[SheilaT]

he's not yet ready to learn higher order thinking. That will come in time. Meanwhile, I agree with the Montessori endorsement. Beyond that, expose him to as many different learning experiences as possible. Foreign languages at an early age are nice, if that can be done. Make sure he interacts with as many different people from different backgrounds and cultures as possible. Model deductive and inductive reasoning every chance you get.

I noticed when my kids were very young that little children are natural scientists, and naturally make use of what's been formalized as the Scientific Method. Work with that. Help them observe, draw up hypotheses, "experiment" in appropriate ways, draw conclusions, and move on.

From what I've observed around me, I think that the widest possible variety of experiences is the key. If the only book you ever read is the Bible (just to name one example) you not only have a particular narrow view of the world, but you have absolutely no experience with long, sustained narrative, and so complex reasoning is difficult for such people. Do not try to rush this child into thinking that he's not ready for yet, but constantly make new things available to him.

What I like so much about Montessori (my younger one did it for a couple of years) is that it allows children to do tasks over and over again until they fully master them. It puts a very solid foundation in place before moving on.