Mel, what Kris said is exactly right They are just sponges right now and pick up on everything. Ben is obsessed with knowing the name of everything in the entire world and asks "That..?" a million times a day! I just make sure I chatter all the time, explaining what I'm doing "Mummy's washing up the glasses now and next I'll do the dishes", "Mummy's putting daddy's blue shorts on the clothes line now, can you hand me a red peg?" They pick things up so quickly. Also, Ben loves to draw and has to tell us what colour he's using so that helps re-inforce his colours. He also likes to 'count' because his daddy always counts his bath toys each night. His idea of counting though is to just make a different sound each time he points to something new. Don't forget reading too, having Liv point to the sun, trees, dog etc in a book is a good way to prolong a book. Especially if you've already read it 14 times that day

Shape and colour sorting games are big in our house atm too and those wooden jigsaw puzzles. Blocks are alright - until he throws the at the poor unsuspecting dog As with Kristie, Ben loves to help around the house. He helps daddy a lot, and especially feeding the dog. Don't forget, all of that is teaching them things and they find it all fascinating.

I also give Ben a lot of choices at home, mostly to do with food. Asking him if he would prefer an apple or a peach, yoghurt or a biscuit. I think it makes him feel more valued and responsible? I don't really know but I never have a problem getting him to eat! I also try to avoid saying "No!" unless it's dangerous and urgent. If he asks for a biscuit before dinner, instead of saying no, I'll say "We're about to have dinner, you can have a biscuit or yoghurt after dinner". Most of the time it works, other times he just thinks that it means he can't have a biscuit, but he'll try for a "gogurt"

Bascially Mel, just go with your instincts. As long as you are spending time with Olivia (really spending time, not just in the same room iykwim), she'll be learning from you.

Geez, I must be bored at work today - look how long I've rambled on Sorry about that!