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I’ve written a few times before about how much I love learning toys. I especially love the Melissa & Doug puzzles.
We usually buy things for Hudson before he is at the recommended age for the toy. I’ve heard some people advise against this, but I honestly don’t know why. He has learned all of his colors, shapes, letters and numbers — mostly because of these puzzles. We work on them with him and talk to him about the different puzzles and he remembers. These puzzles also really help his fine motor skills.
I ordered this states puzzle that’s a map of the United States. It’s a Melissa & Doug puzzle that I got on Zulily. When Hayes was born I had a stash of toys in the closet for Hudson. I had put together a little collection of new coloring books, sticker books, finger paint and this puzzle. I wanted to have some fun new things ready for him for the first couple of months after Hayes was born when I knew I’d be really busy and Hudson would probably be a little bored spending so much time at home.
So one day, I took a chance and gave him this puzzle. And after three weeks, he knew almost every single state. He has said them all at one point.
In this video, I have to help him with a couple. He gets a little confused and instead of Indiana, he says “Oh Suzanna.” It’s his favorite song and they do kind of sound the same, right?
He also gets a little confused with all of the New England states. They’re so small and 2-3 states may share a puzzle piece.
(The video is more than 8 minutes long. I didn’t say he could do it in record time!)
I don’t think I could identify the states until the 3rd or 4th grade! And I still can’t place all of the northeastern United States in their correct spot. Whoops!
The recommended age for this puzzle is 5 years old, but now I know that a 27 month old can do it!
That is adorable!! I think I have to get one of those puzzles.
Dang, he’s smart! F’real! I’m going to get some of these for Ella. I love Melissa and Doug toys too!
That is amazing!! I had first graders who couldn’t tell me any state except Tennessee! Way to go, Hudson!
I bet you are SO proud! I would be. He’s adorable and very smart. 🙂
I am so impressed! Smart boy, but that’s no surprise- his Mama’s smart too 🙂
Wow Erin!! This is really amazing!! You should be so proud! I can’t believe how well he has those states down…especially since some of them look so similar!! That was awesome! My favorites are how he says Massachusetts and the Dakodas hahahaha soooo cute! Congrats on such a smart boy!! 🙂 Go Hudson!
Oh dear, that is ADORABLE!! I am a map fiend, and Hudson is living out my dreams for my unborn kiddos 🙂 I am definately going to deck out our children’s rooms in maps and explorer themes. I moved states every two years when I was growing up, and my husband is from Australia. Maps are going to be key for us!
So amazing! Hudson is pretty smart 🙂
I am gonna have to look into getting some of these puzzles!
That’s awesome! I couldn’t identify all the states till around 4th grade either! I still mess up a lot of the southern ones 😛
What a smart little guy! And, I *love* how he says Oregon. I love that a 2 year old can pronounce it but most adults can’t.
(also, I had one of these puzzles when I was little and I lost Texas. How do you lose Texas? It’s the biggest piece!)
That is amazing. He is so cute!
That is awesome! I think it is great that you buy him so many learning toys! Keep on doing what your doing because it is working! I don’t have babies yet, but I love reading your blog and keeping a mental list of great things to buy my kids.
Adorable! I still don’t know all of the states!!! There is a great iPad app that Walker loves that is called Stack the States and he has learned his states playing that game. Hudson is such a cutie!
You have a very smart little man on your hands!! Adorable!
OMG! I love hearing his voice. He is precious and so excited! I loved when he found TEXAS! Thanks for sharing. I need to get the puzzles out!
Holy balogna! What a smart little boy. 🙂 Thanks for the puzzle recomend!
Wow! He is amazing and adorable! I’m not sure I could put that puzzle together!
Impressive! I think I just learned something from a 2-year old. My day is complete.
KK is right! he is so smart!!
wow this is awesome!
what a little genius 🙂
That’s great!! And guess what? You totally prompted me to order that as a Christmas gift for our {then} 25 month old 🙂 Always up for a good gift suggestion! Thanks!!
How cute! He’s so smart!!
He is such a smart, smart boy! Great job, Hudson and great job, Momma!
“Wyo-MING!” hahaha what a *precious* little boy! This just melted my heart, seriously. I don’t think words can explain how much I love watching these videos of Hudson! Love, love, love. You should be so proud of all the time you’re spending with him, developing his skills and growing that little brain of his! 🙂 xoxo
Way to go, Hudson!!! I’ve also heard/read before that you’re supposed to follow toy manufacturers’ age guidelines, but if a kid enjoys a toy and can play with the toy well, then why not?
Hi Erin – I always enjoy reading your blog and your suggestions so much.
What a smart little guy you have!!
You helped me a couple of months ago re: the Elmo t-shirt. Thank you…
I have an almost 21 month old son. I have seen in many of your photos
the Fisher Price Little People Farm. Has Hudson enjoyed this toy?
I am considering getting it for Riley for Christmas this year,
but he will be 2 in early January? Do you think he would still enjoy it?
Is there another “Little People” toy you like better? I’d love your input!!
Thanks again.
That’s fantastic! Nice job Hudson! I grew up in Michigan and I love how he says it! 🙂
Oh my gosh. That is out of control! Out of control!!!! Do you realize just how gifted your little boy is?! 🙂 There are so many skills going on there I can’t even believe it! Not only can he say almost every one and know where they go, he is picking them out from the whole pile whenever you ask for one, and he picked them out in an orderly way – like the whole south and then west coast and worked his way back east and north. I’m blown away! GREAT job Hudson!! (*And I love how he said “Are you ok?” when he tipped over because he wanted you to ask him if he was ok – my son, Josiah used to do that all the time… so cute!)
That’s incredible! Go Hudson! I wish I would’ve known about this when Caden was 27 months. 6-years-old is never too late though, right? I think I need to order it!
That is the CUTEST video! I love his pronunciation of all the states! So stinking cute! What a smart boy you have!
My goodness! I think Hudson is smarter than I am. Seriously….that child is brilliant! Love the video!
oh my gosh! that is incredible! i am so impressed! precious!
oh isn’t he just the *perfect* child. you deserve a gold star! knowing the names of states is not that important. maybe you should work on his speech considering you can’t even understand him.
Coming from a developmental therapist, I can say that he’s incredibly bright! GO HUDSON!
What a cutie! He can be my classroom helper when I teach the 50 states…maybe he can teach my 5th graders some tricks to remembering the states. 🙂
He is darling…I love hearing his little voice!! Too cute!! What a smart boy you have Momma 🙂
He is SO cute! And I give him a pass on the Northeastern states – I LIVE here and I still struggle with the geography sometimes…haha.
I don’t want to give the mean comment any attention, but I just saw via twitter that someone attacked your child and my stomach sank for you. I only had time to watch the first 30 seconds of the video before work this morning, but I just could not believe how advanced your boy is. Like, I”ve never seen anything like it in my life. He is most definitely gifted and most definitely has fantastic parents who have nurtured his intellectual gifts. I am so happy for you and hope that you don’t give “lori” one moment of your attention.
Love this so much! I’m looking forward to these types of activities once our daughter is a little older.
Ummmm I still can’t name all the states unless I sing that darn song… no way could I place them all in their proper place! Maybe I need that puzzle 🙂
He’s such a smart boy, Erin! I love how much he loves learning – y’all have really fostered that in him and it shows!
Oops sorry need to leave another comment here – he kind of reminds me of the Miss USA announcers, the way he shouts out the state names. Especially “HaWAHii!!” because the announcers always seem to draw it out in that exact same way! Gah so cute.
What a sweet, smart boy Hudson is! And what a mean, jealous person “Lori” is.
Umm, seriously Lori? That’s just hateful – who would say something like that?
I love this video – is he saying “I help you New Mexico”? So sweet!
He could not be more precious Erin. I have NEVER heard “Missouri” sound so adorable. I love how he stumbled and said to himself “Are you okay?” haha! He is adorable.
What a sweet boy! He’s a smart cookie for sure. Adorable!
Adorable!! That was awesome!!
WOw, “Lori” that comment says more about YOU than anything. It reflects how miserable you must be feeling. Children should be off limits. Take your bad attitude elsewhere. Erin doesn’t need your negativity.
Just adorable!
AWWW, this is awesome!! Way to go Hudson!!!
Seriously, seriously cute. Everyone always told me my son was too young for the regular 48+ piece puzzles, but I bought them anyway. He’ll be four in October, and he works them like a champ. You’re helping Hudson learn and that’s awesome. And Lori, his language development is right on target for his age.
Erin, he is just precious and so smart. I love how we can celebrate our children and their accomplishments. This is truly a wonderful one! To the nasty commenter: I fully agree that you have a problem with your heart. How can you ever be mean to a child? That is beyond unbelievable to me.
I love the “Oh Susanna” part! Soo cute and sweet!!! Huge props to Hudson, my geography is terrible! It would probably take me all day to name the 50 states and I will forever googe a map whenever I can’t picture where a state is some one is talking about!
That darn boy…he is just too smart! I can’t get over it! I especially love when he tumbles over and he says to you, “You alright?”….cracked me up 🙂 Also love those fashionable stickers on his shirt 🙂 What a cutie pie!
I agree! This is an amazing feat for a 2 year old. Go Hudson!
I have never commented but totally love your blog. As a speech therapist that works with pediatrics, I am extremely impressed! I love when he says “I help you.” He’s cute!!!
Smart boy! I’m impressed. My son is a bit younger than Hudson, but I think that is a good thing to add to his Christmas list!
Seriously, I could not get enough of this. He is so cute and so smart. You should be very proud! 🙂
That is amazing, especially considering he can’t read yet and is picking them out by size and putting them down in an orderly fashion. I am not around children a lot but is this not amazing?? I mean, I don’t think I would know where every state goes!! What an excellent teacher he has in you!
that is so adorable!! what a smart little boy and smart momma for teaching him early!
Ah-mazing! You and Hudson are a perfect example of what can happen when parents actually spend time talking to their kids!
WOW! Hudson is so smart! I don’t think I learned all the states and their placement until 5th grade!!! I know you’re proud of that little guy!
1. hudson is just too cute for words
2. i am totally adding this to libbi’s christmas list
3. i’m sure i will be using it to help myself as well since i seriously doubt i could name all the states.
4. i think “oh susannah” is one of the most adorable things ever!
I haven’t had a chance to watch the video yet, but I am just thrilled that he knows New Mexico is a state!! Many adults don’t know this which is why we always get sent to the international desk when making reservations, etc. You should be very proud! Always, always, always delight in the accomplishments of your children. That is the point of motherhood: to be their biggest champions, to be the one who cheers the loudest. I am reading Sharon Jayne’s book on motherhood right now, and she talks about a mom (her sis-in-law, I think) who would cheer her son on at cross country meets with a bull horn. She didn’t care if he could hear her or not, and was doing just in case he “could” hear her. Don’t let anyone EVER sway you from cheering on your child!
I don’t know what I love more. Melinda’s comment above mine OR the way he says “This is Texas!” Love. Isn’t it amazing to watch them learn? Sometimes I get sad that Thatcher is growing up but seeing Hudson gives me a new stage to look forward to. I mean, he is just way too cute for words.
I watched this earlier today and loved it! He is soooooooo smart and too precious!! I love hearing small children around his age pronounce everything because every word has it’s own unique pronunciation that is adorable. I have a friend with a 23 month old and when she says “love you so so much” it sounds like “luh you shishi much”. Too cute! You’re doing a great job with Hudson!
Ahhhh! This is so precious!! He is going to be so good with teaching Hayes things too!! 🙂
And Trey has one puzzle that he really likes, a M&D one – maybe Santa will have to bring him one of these!! Thanks for posting this – you totally made me smile tonight!! Good job Mama!
Oh I just loved watching the video! It was the sweetest thing ever hearing him say those states! I have a 9 year old daughter and an almost 6 month old daughter and this puzzle will be a perfect gift for them. My oldest needs it now! Oh and thanks for mentioning the 2 CDs that you play/sing/listen to while in Hayes’ room. I ordered them and we love them. I plan to add another of Elizabeth Mitchell’s to our collection soon.
What a proud Mommy moment! My 4 y/o loves puzzles so I think we need to add this to her Christmas list! Thanks for sharing!
I’m pretty sure he knows his states better than I do. Actually, I’m 100% sure! Good job Hudson! Very impressive!
Too cute!!! and I can’t say enough about that puzzle – we have it and even though my kids are 9 and 6, it still gets brought out and played with! We learned the states and then in 2nd grade we did all the capitals! This is a staple gift for a 3 or 4 year old, I’ve given too many to count! I hope Hudson and Hayes love this puzzle for a long time, just like my 2 🙂
These videos are not good for my bank balance! I have already ordered the alphabet and number puzzles from Amazon and would be ordering this too except we are from England and I think that my husband might think a bit too much to have all the US states before a UK or Europe map 🙂
Very clever Hudson and just like the commentator above it makes me excited about my baby boy reaching this age and less sad about him not being a little baby anymore!. Hudson is such a sweetie pie!
As a Geography geek (I actually have a B.A. in Geography), my heart is so FULL of happiness watching Hudson & his puzzle. Never before has naming the 50 states been so cute! Way to go, sweet boy!!
“Oh, Susannah”?? I die from the cute. Seriously.
Saw your twitter post last night and wanted to send you a hug this morning. You KNOW there always has to be ONE.
Hudson is adorable! Hugs to you, Erin! You have every reason in the world to be super proud of him. Someone who feels the need to attact a toddler must have a sad, miserable life. Keep being Hudson’s biggest fan.
Erin, I can’t believe how smart Hudson is! Well, actually I can but this is just amazing! I can’t seem to get Kate and Lily to sit still long enough to do puzzles. Hopefully as they get older their attention spans will increase. Loved the video!
So, my jaw literally dropped when I saw this video. I’m in complete shock that a kid as young as Hudson can master a puzzle like that. So incredibly impressive! And then my jaw dropped again when I read Lori’s comment. I’m so sorry that by sharing {a part of} your life with the world you have to put up with comments like that. I’m so sorry that you have to bear the brunt of whatever happened to her that morning {or afternoon}, whatever happened to her as a child, or whatever is happening currently with her own children {assuming that she is a mother}. Wouldn’t it be great if, as humans, we just cheered each other along in whatever our pursuits were instead of ripping people apart? She’s so wrong in saying those things to you. You have every right to cheer your son on. You have every right to think your kids are the smartest, most adorable, most charming kids on the planet. Thanks for sharing a part of your life with us.
Thats my Hudson–just love that boy. I love to hear him name the states 🙂
His little voice is adorable! So impressive! I think I need that puzzle for myself 🙂