Your baby can read

Any use or try this system? Someone wants to get it for my kids for Christmas, I have mixed thoughts and have read mixed reviews. My LO's dont have many words yet (only mama and dada) and maybe this would help with that? Maybe its just a big scam? I dont know.

 

I am interested to hear what people have to say as well. My IL's are set on getting this for my girls for Christmas.

 

I looked into it a while ago and from what I found it doesn't seem to help them truly read, it only helps them memorize works and pictures. It takes a lot of work to get them there and it hasn't been found to help them out in school. Some people spend so much time on this program that their kids miss out on some of the things they should be doing at their age. These are some of the things I found when I researched it. My PT and OT weren't that excited about it either because they would have prefered me working on meaningful play and movements instead. Good luck with your decision

 

I was considering It as it's just another tool/activity for them during the long day, especially with the winter months approaching. Obviously this is just one of many activities in their 12 hour day that you can do with them. If someone if offering it (as it is expensive)I think that's great!

 

I just finished reading this incredible book on "reading out loud to kids" and how it helps them to learn to read sooner. Studies show it is easier for kids to learn to read by "hearing stories- then seeing words - then letters" as compared to the present learning of "letters- words- stories". Even phonics will actually only cover 50 % of the language and therefore useless. Even Einstein when asked by a mother how to make her child smart said "read fairy tales" she then laughed and said "then what ?" to which he replied "read more fairy tales". I guess fairy tales often do not have many pictures and therefore require more imagination.

Reading gives them "General knowledge" which is important to let them figure out a word. (if you tried to read a cardiology report you would likely NOT understand it) Next it gives them the flow of sentences, the flow of language, the sounds of words.

So books that are written well, books kids love, varied books on some with nursery rhymes, fairy tales, etc. It also recommended that when they do start to learn to read not to make them sound out a word, but instead tell them the word they are having trouble with, this allows them to keep reading the story and able to remember what the story is about. Instead of THE - CAT - SAT - ON - THE -F-E-N-C-E. Allow them to pretend read and if they are making many mistakes, then YOU read the story so they can hear the correct words.


So stories read with lots of enthusiasm for fun not to "teach" and if you can get your husband to read to them as well it is especially good for boys since it shows that reading is fun and not just for women.

The earlier the better ! Lots of reading before the age of one. I know with twins I so wanted to read to them more but it was such a struggle each time. Reading in high chairs or while they are in their cribs is an option, but mine eventually got better.

Heather

 

I think of it this way, if it's something you want to do with your kids as a way to bond and just do something educational together, it's worth it. However, there are brilliant minds out there today that never had anything like this when they were babies. This product is not going to make your kids any smarter. I believe other cultures (China I think) don't even have their kids start school until 7 years old. They do better than we do on average. I think right now is a good time for them to experience life and learn from playtime and observing their parents, siblings, other kids, and environment. Kids do learn best from experiences and eventually consequence. They'll learn how to talk just by listening to the people around them or if they need extra help, they can get it that way. Your Baby Can Read is certainly not harmful for your baby, it could be a lot of fun actually, but don't get it if you are hoping for a smarter baby.

 

What book did you read? Sounds like something we all should read! I was a first grade teacher for many years and now a SAHM so I have lots and lots of experience with early childhood literacy and many of the various models out there. Not any one program or even strategy will work for every child but it sounds like what you read is a fabulous way to get (probably most if not all) children a great start in life with pre literacy skills!

Someone actually gave us bootlegged copies of My Baby Can Read and given my background... I was skeptical. I haven't shown it to the girls yet and not sure I will. Let me tell you what I saw... the program is done on what looks like power point or something similar. First thing I noticed is how cheap it looks... but that's not the point. The program seemed to be too full of things I'd like to avoid at this stage in their lives such as high contrast (black words on white background or similar... if you'd like to know why I'm not a fan I can fill you in later... just don't feel like writing it all out right now... has to do with scotopic sensitivity syndrome and is the reason I limited high contrast words and symbols etc... in my classroom), and jerky or flashy images from those annoying powerpoint transitions like "diamonds" or "flies off to the left" (which are used between almost every word slide and are often high contrast themselves) since overexposure to quickly moving, flashing, bright images (aka tv) seems to be a precurser to ADD and ADHD (plus preemies already have a hightened risk). So all that and my training as an early childhood literacy specialist gives me a gut 'no' on this one for now at least. I didn't do much research on whether or not these kids are doing better in school and so I REALLY appreciate some of the pp's comments about their research.
Thanks!!

 

I've seen the info-commercial for this and you know what they say about things that seem too good to be true.

Well, it's true I'm a skeptic just like the rest, but perhaps this program may work for some kids...you know, the kind that will actually sit still for a couple minutes and be able to watch more than 5 minutes of TV.

My recommendation is just to buy flashcards, or make your own! Isn't it the same thing?

I've read that Einstein didnt speak until age 4 and didn't read until age 7. The learning curve is different for everyone.

 

We never used it, but as a Spec.Ed teacher I would not suggest it to my families/students/siblings, etc.

Often parents as me what they can do to help younger LOs if they have an older one that has trouble reading/math, etc. I always suggest with little kids to read to them, keep it fun, make it meaningful , and follow their lead- while providing interesting learning opportunities. Fun field trips, talking to your child, and all the fun prereading activities will promote much more excitement for learning than a rote memorization isolated skill activity.

I would suggest they get magnetic fridge letters, LeapFrog Toys, basic puzzles, simple books on CD (with book), books, or other toys that have some educational value. There are a 1,000,001 things I would spend money on before that program if you are trying to add some educational learning tools to your day.

First, at that age---read to them, read to them, read to them. Do songs on tape/books on tape, finger plays, rhymes, etc. They will gain far more from those type of games than from flashcard style/TV based set up- it will also probably be more enjoyable. Second, they will learn much more if you talk , talk , talk. The 'words' need to be in a childs auditory vocabulary before they can read and understand it--so the more words and wider variety of words they are exposed to will help build a solid foundation to learn from as they age.

Also, as PP stated the high motion/black & white coloring do not make it a plus for me at that age at all--regardless of what the content is.

 

Wow, this was an interesting thread to read. I was especially interested in the high motion/black-white coloring part... I know people have said no tv before 2yrs old or something, and I have wondered if its content or a more physical part... seems like its more of a physical part... with too much stimulation. thanks for everyone's input. I had already said it was too pricey for me... though I can rationalize anything if its something I want...

 

p.s. mine still don't have many words... but they are starting to get more and more since 18 months. In fact we didn't have mama & dada at 14 months either... so I am constantly worried about it... but they have really started to blossom these last few weeks, so I think that whatever you choose to do for fun and learning they should be picking up too.

 

I have actually read things suggesting that this program can be harmful - that in fact the whole movement of trying to force children to read at a young age can be harmful. Basically, there are a lot of skills to learn as a child, and learning to read as a baby/toddler/preschooler takes a lot longer and is frustrating and can lead to a lifelong dislike of reading, rather than a love of reading that can come from being read to/learning to read naturally in elementary school. So, if it were me, I'd say read to your kids, and read to your kids, and read to your kids some more, rather than plunking them in front of the TV for rote memorization.

Also, if it helps, mine had very few words at 18 months. I was actually worried about them at their 18 month checkup. In the last 3-4 months, their language has exploded! They have probably 100+ words, repeat anything and everything, and are talking up a storm. So, give it time. They only started calling me Mommy in the last 2 months.

 

I just wanted to thank you all for your input! It was really helpful!

I have asked the family member who wanted to buy it to get us the teach my baby and/or teach my toddler learning kit from TRU.