A project to do with the trinity.  You could make your own version of this: http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?demandPrefix=12&sku=48/4308&mode=Searching&erec=0&D=ST.+PATRICKS+CRAFT&Ntt=ST.+PATRICKS+CRAFT&Ntk=all&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&y=0&N=0&requestURI=processProductsCatalog&x=0&sd=Trinity+Lucky+Shamrock+Ornament+Craft+Kit

There are a lot of different prayers you could begin class with here: http://islandireland.com/Pages/folk/sets/bless.html

You could so play some Irish music during a craft.

I would suggest “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons”.  You can usually find used copies cheap online.  I’ve used this with three of my kids (fourth working in it now) before moving on to “Little Stories for Little Folks” phonics readers from Catholic Heritage Curricula.  We haven’t yet found it necessary to use all the lessons, just enough to get them familiar with all the letter sounds.  It seems a little stilted at first, as the lessons are completely scripted, but this means virtually no prep time.  Also the style of the letters themselves is unusual; at first I was afraid it would make transitioning to more traditional text difficult, but it never was a problem.

We also liked “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons”. I just recently saw the “Little Stories for Little Folks” and was impressed. You may be able to move right into that. Check with your library for “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons”. You may only need it for a short time.

Lucy,
I pulled from a few different resources. I used Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Lessons, Mommy, Teach Me To Read by Barbara Curtis, and Little Folks from Catholic Heritage.  We had a blast with all of these things. I would do what other suggest about Teach Your Child because we didnt’ end up using it for that long.  The readers from the Little Folks program were a huge hit with my daughter.  She just really delighted in the stories.

I didn’t like Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Grueling Lessons, so I switched to Little Angel Readers for my kids.  Taught 3 to read that way, but was getting nowhere with #4 who is 6 1/2.  I have just begun revisiting Teach Your Child To Read and I still don’t like it, and neither does she, but we are making some progress.  Try your local library and see if they have a copy.  Whatever new program you try, stick with it for at least 2 weeks before giving up.

Like Michelle, I have experience w/both (100 Lessons & Little Angel Readers).  My first son did 100 Easy Lessons last year, and although he didn’t like it, he is reading at a 2nd grade level this year.  I loved that it was scripted and focused on sound blending.  This year we are using Little Angel Readers for both my boys and what I like about it is the variety.  You never know what they’ll have you do (there’s actually too much in each lesson sometimes, so I skip over some I think are too easy or are obviously suggested for a class full of kids).  I like how you also end up building an alphabet book with the art suggestions (D for Dinosour, C for Cat, etc.).  You can find it online at Stone Tablet Press.

I have taught two children with learning difficulties to read (including one that was severely expressively delayed) using a variety of materials and programs.  The best materials that I have found are:  http://www.curriculumassociates.com/products/detail.asp?title=PhonicsReading&topic=CR0  paired with http://www.all-about-spelling.com/  (this program costs a bit more and there is a bit of paper cutting involved, but it is well worth it, it can be re-used with other learners).  I was tempted to skimp on the first part of the spelling program since I really wanted to teach him to read but the program emphasizes total control of the phonograms first.  We struggled at first, but he quickly caught on and soon was able to tell me all the sounds of the letters out of order and was able to recognize the letters when given one sound (like /c/ and /g/ have both hard and soft sounds).  In addition to those workbook style materials I have also incorporated a computer based/online program titled “Explode the Code Online” (there are workbooks for this series as well)  http://www.explodethecode.com/  I have found that the mixture of these main materials (as well as a lot of one-on-one laptime reading) has enhanced not only their reading skills but has run over into their other subjects as well (spelling, reading comprehension, etc…).  Good luck!

I am all for leaving children alone to develop at their own pace, however if I had a child nearly 2 who did not speak at all, I would be concerned enough to get some outside advice.  It can be helpful to know if he is choosing not to speak, or if he is unable to and why.  Even if you don’t go the therapy route, it could be helpful to have an evaluation from somebody who knows what to test for.

If your ped suggests it, I’d look into it.  My niece had apraxia (sp?) and had difficulty speaking.  The early intervention speech therapist was very helpful for her.  Some problems do correct themselves, but some don’t.  It can’t hurt to check it out.

We had speech therapy for my son, starting when he was just 15 months old (because we were moving and wanted to see how it went before we moved). The therapist was wonderful. They basically play games and bring fun toys for the children. We were always present. I would recommend having someone evaluate him. It won’t hurt anything. With our son, they even said he’d probably be fine on his own, but they thought some extra encouragement would help him along. We were also told to stop reacting to his baby signs to force him to use his voice more. Anyway, I’d recommend.

Also, it may not matter, but if you’re worried about cost, usually speech therapy begun before a child is three is part of Early Intervention and is often covered by your tax money (if it hasn’t been cut in the current economy).

Danielle,
I know every child is different and every pediatrician is different. I was concerned about son #2 and mentioned it at one of his visits and she suggested we wait until he was 2 and at his 2 year check up if he hadn’t made more progress we could look into something.  Something happened at 2 with my son and he went from grunts, points, and few words, to NONSTOP talking and he hasn’t drawn breath since!  He is now 3.5 and chats constantly and is always asking questions.   I was concerned but my husband was less so because he could follow instructions, his fine motor skills were advanced and everything else was fine developmentally.  I expressed my concerns to the pediatrician and my grandmother.  The pediatrician said to give him a couple more months and my grandmother said that my father was worse.
Now, that being said your pediatrician knows your case and you and your husband are good judges of whether some early intervention might be beneficial and get him going. A lot can happen in a month.

My chatter box was in the same boat at Jeannie’s. She said her first world, consistantly, at 20 months and just add from there and it seems that at 4 her capacity for language isn’t a problem. She is a watcher though, looks and looks at something until she figures it out. I would listen to your instincts, you do know your son better then anyone.

There is nothing wrong with pursuing early intervention.  You can always stop if you don’t like it or think it is helpful.

I would like to suggest the Signing Time videos (Baby Signing Time first, and then the regular Signing Time).  Many libraries have these videos to loan out in the children’s section.  These videos teach some basic sign language to hearing children.  They are fun, educational (it’s a second language!), and useful for ALL young children, even those who seem to be progressing normally.  My toddler’s word count escalated after she started watching these.  I loaned them to a friend whose toddler was also not speaking, and he loves them and is definitely speaking more now (videos or just finally advancing, I don’t know).  Watch them with your child so you can sign along.

I’d get him evaluated, in my state, it is done through the local school district.  I had the same concern with my then foster-daughter at about the same age as your son.  Caseworkers and pediatricians all told me not to worry about it.  They were wrong.  I had her evaluated nearly a year later, and she ended up with about 6 months of in-home speech therapy.  Her particular problem was strictly articulation, i.e., she didn’t use any consonant sounds at the beginning or ends of words, but she knew what we were saying to her and knew what she wanted to say.  She just didn’t know how to say it clearly.  The therapy itself was GREAT!  She still struggles with articulation a little, but without the therapy, I am positive that she would not be understood by most people.

My son also appeared to hear ( as you state) but we found that his ear canals had collapsed shortly after birth and he actually heard very little but had been learning to adapt some by reading our lips and watching for cues that he responded to( as well as hearing some muffles) that made us believe that he was hearing OK. We had reconstructive surgery and started early childhood speech therapy and he responded well. Now at thirteen he speaks very close to any thirteen year old. I would never refuse to accept a doctor’s advise to get my child checked. If the doctor is wrong you loose a few dollars and some time if they are right you gain so much more.

My son (#8) will be 2 in May. As of 20 months he had one word. Peeze. And it was used sparingly.  He yells, grunts, points etc….but does not speak or even babble. I generally have late talkers but the fact that T. didn’t/doesn’t even babble concerned me. I contacted out local early intervention group. They have been wonderful and it has not been as invasive as I feared it would be. There is no ‘big brother’ vibe, no feeling I and my children are under a microscope, I feel completely in control of the situation. I wish I would have called them earlier. I would encourage you to investigate how EIC works in your state and give them a call.

I agree that it would at least be a good idea to have an evaluation.  Some kids are late talkers and end up doing fine, and that could very well be the case with him, but there’s no way of predicting for sure.  If there is an issue, the sooner it gets addressed, the more effective (and quick) the therapy will be.  I give your pediatrician a lot of credit for being attentive.  A lot of pediatricians are quick to dismiss concerns about lack of speech, especially in boys.

Yikes, they don’t even let you choose from options if you are working with them?  You’re the primary educator of your children and certainly you know best with them.  I would have had nightmares for months if I had read “Dracula” at that age!  But maybe they figure that most kids that age are watching all sorts of that stuff in movies/tv anyway, so they’re looking for things that will hold their attention?  Or that, hey, it’s a classic, so it must be appropriate for anyone at any age?  Who knows.  But it sounds like you know, and have had a chance to get comfortable with the fact that you are capable of teaching your own kids - so go for it!  Your dd will learn much more anyway if she is reading books that both you and she love and can talk about.