My 3-year-old teaches me new things everyday. Like how to hang small toys from his small toddler basketball net (they have to be a certain way according to him). But I'll focus today on some of the things he has taught my 16-month-old daughter.

One of her first words was  "BobBuilder," made possible because it is one of the boy's favorite shows. Another favorite: Thomas the Tank Engine, which my daughter fondly calls "Percy" (the green engine). She has definitely been exposed to a wider and more interesting variety of kid shows than if she were the first child, or if she had an older sister.

While she loves babies and baby dolls, she is very interested in his toys--his tools and cars seem to be her favorites recently. But I haven't figured out if her attraction to them is based on his desire to keep them out of her hands or not.

Another thing he has taught her is that it is great fun to run down the hallway squealing. They love to take turns doing this, while I unsuccessfully try to convince them that it is more fun to sit quietly while I read them a story.

He has taught her it is fun to play in the dirt and splash in the bathtub, and that under her bed makes a perfect fort to play in. Despite their disagreements over whose turn it is to play with select toys, the girl is an eager student, and her big brother is all too willing to teach her.