20 month old and learning

[TannerChasesMom]

I have a 20 month and a 6 month old, both boys. I am curious how and what my 20 month old should be learning. I stay at home with them and have been trying to teach them via what I have learned from other moms teaching their kids. So far my 20 mo old can walk, run, walk backwards, dance, use a fork and spoon, can drink from a cup (not quiet well, but almost), can say about 20 or so words (some not so clear but I understand most of it), he jibber jabbers (has his own language), can play independently for about 15 min, knows what a cow, cat and dog says. Can recognize daddy, our family dog and say her name, a cat, a cow, a fish, most of his cousins, his brother and a few aunts and uncles, but he doesn't know who I am in pictures and wont say mama or mommy. He doesn't watch tv but like 2 min at a time and loves playing with anyone. He won't sit down to do flash cards so I don't really know how to teach him. He is always moving or doing something.. Please, any suggestions are welcome!! Help!!

[EmTheWife]

He sounds normal to me!  You don't need to be teaching him in any specific direction of information, just follow his lead. 

Read to him, point out the words and the pictures that correspond, as him questions about the pictures (eg, Where's the RED truck?  Good!  Where's the truck's tire? take his finger and point to it for him until he know's what to look for, then move on to BLUE truck, tires on your own car, etc.).  When you take him on walks, point out the trees and their colors, show him leaves, flowers, the curb, road, sidewalk, houses, driveways; discuss the sound of a dog barking as you pass...  (my 20mo ds is really interested in vehicles and taking walks, hence the illustrations!)  Discuss body parts as you and he dress, bathe, change diapers, nurse, eat, etc.

It's interaction and the satisfying of his natural curiosity that will lead to an avid learner rather than a kiddo who learns because it's forced, and it sounds like you're doing just that!