your baby can read..

I don't know if it's any good but I'm fixing to buy it next month.....

 

So... CottonCandySky (sorry, I don't know your name - I am Donna _, What did you decide? Are you going to try the series? If you do, please let us know what you think. I am always open to educational dvds for my kiddos. We happen to love the Leap Frog Alphabet Factory and Word Factory btw. My second ds's special ed pre-k teacher swears by Hooked on Phonics as a reading aid. We are considering that as a Christmas gift for him.

 

Hi, Josalyn. I'm new here, and your topic was the first to catch my eye.

TV and children is definitely a hot-button issue. Research on the subject varies, but there are definitely many studies that show how detrimental it is - especially to very young and developing brains. TV before the age of 3 can actually cause damage to cognitive development.

As for reading, beginning to teach it too early may end up hurting your children's future appreciation for it. Most kids don't truly begin to read independently until the age of 7 anyway. If you wait until they're ready, they'll pick it up quickly, feel bolstered by their fast success, and will likely enjoy reading immensely for the rest of their lives. And isn't that the real goal? In our house, we read to my 5-year-old DD all the time, and she loves that. She's even starting to read a little on her own. But she isn't interested in "real" reading (as in reading books on her own) because her brain isn't ready. I have no doubt it'll happen soon enough, but we're in no rush.

I think these "reading" programs for babies and toddlers are a emotional blackmail for parents. They make you feel like you're doing your children a disservice if you don't offer them this "opportunity" ASAP! And they may even offer a promise of sorts that you can cultivate geniuses if you introduce reading now. These assertions are ridiculous! With any conscientious parent, children will turn out to be as smart as they're meant to be!

I say just keep reading to your babies. That's all they need.

 

Donna (im josalyn, btw! ), i cant decide! i want them to have fun and just be babies/toddlers, but at the same time, learning IS fun. its not like i would FORCE them to watch it, but there are times throughout the day the tv IS on, and theyre in front of it. my DD more than DS, he gets overstimulated just going to BRU so we mostly just play in their bedroom when he is awake. along with books, and reading to them i think it might be fun! though seeing a 1 y/o reading a book may be a lil creepy lol. but at the same time, wouldnt it be awesome if they could communicate with us instead of throwing temper tantrums or crying cuz theyre not being understood? from what i understand the set comes with flash cards, and someone else said that theyre fun to do. i definatly wont pay full price for it though! maybe ebay or something? i think when the babies go down for a nap i might search yahoo for people who have tried it and see if there are any negative responses. it does say results may vary..typical infomercial lol. in the mean time we have baby einstein, and some other learning dvds with songs that the babies love. and of course, there's always, what not to wear! lol

 

QUOTE(Schmoopy @ Oct 6 2008, 12:21 PM) [snapback]1013791[/snapback]
Hi, Sean. I'm new here, and your topic was the first to catch my eye.

TV and children is definitely a hot-button issue. Research on the subject varies, but there are definitely many studies that show how detrimental it is - especially to very young and developing brains. TV before the age of 3 can actually cause damage to cognitive development.

As for reading, beginning to teach it too early may end up hurting your children's future appreciation for it. Most kids don't truly begin to read independently until the age of 7 anyway. If you wait until they're ready, they'll pick it up quickly, feel bolstered by their fast success, and will likely enjoy reading immensely for the rest of their lives. And isn't that the real goal? In our house, we read to my 5-year-old DD all the time, and she loves that. She's even starting to read a little on her own. But she isn't interested in "real" reading (as in reading books on her own) because her brain isn't ready. I have no doubt it'll happen soon enough, but we're in no rush.

I think these "reading" programs for babies and toddlers are a emotional blackmail for parents. They make you feel like you're doing your children a disservice if you don't offer them this "opportunity" ASAP! And they may even offer a promise of sorts that you can cultivate geniuses if you introduce reading now. These assertions are ridiculous! With any conscientious parent, children will turn out to be as smart as they're meant to be!

I say just keep reading to your babies. That's all they need.


:welcome:

I love this reply. I think you could read it, and kind of decide for yourself whether to buy the set or not. But Sean, I think you're right on that teaching the kids to love reading should be the goal, no matter what else is implemented.

We read to our kids a lot. Now they pick up books, turn the pages and "read" to themselves. All books sound like "dadadadadadi" for Elanor, with lots of subtle nuances, but Ian will suddenly start shouting in the middle, like he's at an exciting part. :laughing:

We also take them to coffee shops and read books ourselves. We give them little board books in their carseats, but they also (I think) can even now watch us modeling a love of reading.

 

QUOTE(joannabug @ Oct 6 2008, 11:31 AM) [snapback]1013815[/snapback]
:welcome:

I love this reply. I think you could read it, and kind of decide for yourself whether to buy the set or not. But Sean, I think you're right on that teaching the kids to love reading should be the goal, no matter what else is implemented.

We read to our kids a lot. Now they pick up books, turn the pages and "read" to themselves. All books sound like "dadadadadadi" for Elanor, with lots of subtle nuances, but Ian will suddenly start shouting in the middle, like he's at an exciting part. :laughing:

We also take them to coffee shops and read books ourselves. We give them little board books in their carseats, but they also (I think) can even now watch us modeling a love of reading.


lol that is so cute how he gets louder at certain parts.

 

QUOTE(Schmoopy @ Oct 6 2008, 12:21 PM) [snapback]1013791[/snapback]
Hi, Josalyn. I'm new here, and your topic was the first to catch my eye.

TV and children is definitely a hot-button issue. Research on the subject varies, but there are definitely many studies that show how detrimental it is - especially to very young and developing brains. TV before the age of 3 can actually cause damage to cognitive development.

As for reading, beginning to teach it too early may end up hurting your children's future appreciation for it. Most kids don't truly begin to read independently until the age of 7 anyway. If you wait until they're ready, they'll pick it up quickly, feel bolstered by their fast success, and will likely enjoy reading immensely for the rest of their lives. And isn't that the real goal? In our house, we read to my 5-year-old DD all the time, and she loves that. She's even starting to read a little on her own. But she isn't interested in "real" reading (as in reading books on her own) because her brain isn't ready. I have no doubt it'll happen soon enough, but we're in no rush.

I think these "reading" programs for babies and toddlers are a emotional blackmail for parents. They make you feel like you're doing your children a disservice if you don't offer them this "opportunity" ASAP! And they may even offer a promise of sorts that you can cultivate geniuses if you introduce reading now. These assertions are ridiculous! With any conscientious parent, children will turn out to be as smart as they're meant to be!

I say just keep reading to your babies. That's all they need.


I have to respectfully disagree with you! My children read independently in kindergarten at the age of 5, but were reading to me well before that. My 7 yo can read and comprehend all of the "Little House" books, etc. There are many games and activities that make early literacy fun! I taught my children to read using a program called Magic Penny. IMO, this is similar to those parents who want to teach their babies to sign.

http://magicpennyreading.org/a/

 

QUOTE(5girlies @ Oct 6 2008, 01:15 PM) [snapback]1014036[/snapback]
I have to respectfully disagree with you! My children read independently in kindergarten at the age of 5, but were reading to me well before that. My 7 yo can read and comprehend all of the "Little House" books, etc. There are many games and activities that make early literacy fun! I taught my children to read using a program called Magic Penny. IMO, this is similar to those parents who want to teach their babies to sign.

http://magicpennyreading.org/a/


Lisa, I appreciate your point of view. I know plenty of children who learn to read before the age of seven and even enjoy it.

I'm just a strong believer in waiting until a child is self-motivated in reading. After all, that's when they're just itching to learn! It seems to me that progress and success comes most easily when children are asking to learn to read - I think that's an important sign of readiness.

 

I guess it's possible. My son's kindergarten teacher believed it was possible... otherwise how would they know the difference between McD's and Burger King? LOL...

Watching tv has actually proven to be a good thing as long as it is monitored. It helps develop their little brains and they do learn from it. Movement, contrasting colors, differences in people, etc., I find nothing wrong with it. As a matter of fact, my 2 love Play with Me Sesame. They will watch it like crazy. DS also absolutely loves football!!! He will watch it with DH and gets mad if you change the channel! :wub: I told DH he is going to be my little football player!

 

QUOTE(luvnmybabies @ Oct 6 2008, 05:33 PM) [snapback]1014403[/snapback]
Watching tv has actually proven to be a good thing as long as it is monitored. It helps develop their little brains and they do learn from it.


First time I hear this. I'd be curious to read those 'studies' you're talking about. Sure, sometimes they can learn things from it... but they would learn better if someone was actually interacting with them.

 

QUOTE(Fran27 @ Oct 6 2008, 08:00 PM) [snapback]1014592[/snapback]
First time I hear this. I'd be curious to read those 'studies' you're talking about. Sure, sometimes they can learn things from it... but they would learn better if someone was actually interacting with them.



Fran,

I think everybody is in agreement that parental interaction is ideal. BUT, it isn't always possible. Some people have children with special needs, more than two children, houses to take care of, bills to pay, laundry to put away, etc. Even if we want to spend every second with our children, it just isn't possible for most of us. Please try to understand that we mothers who allow our young children to watch t.v. are not doing it because we don't want to spend time with them. I have gotten the impression that you think we are somehow lacking in our parenting, but that is not the case. Thanks!

 

QUOTE(Schmoopy @ Oct 6 2008, 03:30 PM) [snapback]1014298[/snapback]
Lisa, I appreciate your point of view. I know plenty of children who learn to read before the age of seven and even enjoy it.

I'm just a strong believer in waiting until a child is self-motivated in reading. After all, that's when they're just itching to learn! It seems to me that progress and success comes most easily when children are asking to learn to read - I think that's an important sign of readiness.



i love your name :ibiggrin:

"no YOU'RE a schmoopy!"

 

QUOTE(5girlies @ Oct 6 2008, 08:09 PM) [snapback]1014605[/snapback]
Fran,

I think everybody is in agreement that parental interaction is ideal. BUT, it isn't always possible. Some people have children with special needs, more than two children, houses to take care of, bills to pay, laundry to put away, etc. Even if we want to spend every second with our children, it just isn't possible for most of us. Please try to understand that we mothers who allow our young children to watch t.v. are not doing it because we don't want to spend time with them. I have gotten the impression that you think we are somehow lacking in our parenting, but that is not the case. Thanks!


Heck I don't spend every minute with them either. I'm just honestly more worried about the effect on children that anything else really. I don't feel the need to put the TV on to entertain them or myself... If I want to watch a movie, I wait until they are in bed. I just think there are healthier and less harmful ways of entertaining babies... I doubt I'm the only one who has babies that can play on the floor with toys for 30 minutes when needed.

 

QUOTE(Fran27 @ Oct 6 2008, 10:38 PM) [snapback]1014891[/snapback]
Heck I don't spend every minute with them either. I'm just honestly more worried about the effect on children that anything else really. I don't feel the need to put the TV on to entertain them or myself... If I want to watch a movie, I wait until they are in bed. I just think there are healthier and less harmful ways of entertaining babies... I doubt I'm the only one who has babies that can play on the floor with toys for 30 minutes when needed.


I don't want to turn this into a pissing match but right now your kids are 7 months old - at 7 months old mine would stay on the floor and play for that long because they weren't very mobile - DS could roll his way across the living room and DD would sit and lay under a play mat and I didn't put much TV on for them then (it was more for me - and I would face them away from it)....once they became mobile and I had to contain them long enough to run to the bathroom for more than a 30 second tinkle or be in the kitchen for longer than it took to feed and water my cats then I would wait until certain shows were on (ie Sesame Street - during the Elmo's world segment - it came on at 8:38 and ran until 8:55) I would have it timed and would do exactly what I could during that time because I could be assured that they'd sit in one spot for that long and not try to escape from the living room sobbing because I wasn't within eye contact...

 

We received the DVDs for our kids. Like a pp we didn't view them as often as they suggest (they want you to watch them twice a day) so we didn't use them exactly. I can't say my kids learned to read from them, but they did recognize some words "sights words" you learn in Kindergarten especially, and they learned to listen and follow some direction. My twins loved them and I say if you can afford them, go for it! Personally I think they are better than Sesame Street or Baby Einstein simply for the letter/word recognition and the simplicity of the dvds that is at a slower pace for kids to follow.

Try to ignore the rude comments. Everyone is a perfect parent when it comes to judging others.

 

QUOTE(ddancerd1 @ Oct 6 2008, 08:19 PM) [snapback]1014759[/snapback]
i love your name :ibiggrin:

"no YOU'RE a schmoopy!"


Dannielle, :lol:
I'm so happy to know another Seinfeld fan!!!

 

QUOTE(AmynTony @ Oct 6 2008, 10:45 PM) [snapback]1014903[/snapback]
I don't want to turn this into a pissing match but right now your kids are 7 months old - at 7 months old mine would stay on the floor and play for that long because they weren't very mobile - DS could roll his way across the living room and DD would sit and lay under a play mat and I didn't put much TV on for them then (it was more for me - and I would face them away from it)....once they became mobile and I had to contain them long enough to run to the bathroom for more than a 30 second tinkle or be in the kitchen for longer than it took to feed and water my cats then I would wait until certain shows were on (ie Sesame Street - during the Elmo's world segment - it came on at 8:38 and ran until 8:55) I would have it timed and would do exactly what I could during that time because I could be assured that they'd sit in one spot for that long and not try to escape from the living room sobbing because I wasn't within eye contact...


Hey, you're free to find good reasons to put your kids in front of the TV (and by the way lots of people who post here have kids younger than mine). Personally, if I know something can be detrimental to my kids, I might do it anyway, but I'll try to find other ways first. My two are pretty mobile but they're in a safe area, so I know they're safe when I'm not with them.

I totally understand that some people do it to keep their sanity. I'm just not sure why everyone is so defensive about it if really, as they say, TV is harmless? You can tell me I'm doing things that might be harmful. That's fine. I'll admit I realize it's probably not the best but it's just what works best for me. Admitting is the first step... but frankly personally I'd want people to tell me if I did something that could be harmful.

Just IMO.

 

QUOTE(Schmoopy @ Oct 7 2008, 07:14 AM) [snapback]1015173[/snapback]
Dannielle, :lol:
I'm so happy to know another Seinfeld fan!!!



totally thread jacking here, buuuut


i went to youtube and found this...
schmoopy

 

:banana: Too funny!
QUOTE(e mauro @ Oct 5 2008, 10:32 AM) [snapback]1012370[/snapback]
I just had to share a funny earlier reader story (IMO)… my older ds has a VERY bright friend (like read the WHOLE Harry Potter Series in Kindergarten… alone… shoot I was getting confused and had to use a dictionary every once and a while)… well I went to take him and his mom to the air port when he was 3… granted my DS was just talking (my son was one of those early moved late talkers… any who back to the story…) well you know the kind of business they can have around airports (especially in LA)… well all of a sudden he says, “Of course I want my naked body alive”… his mom say… “What do you mean”… he says… “That sign over there say ‘live nudes’… I don’t want to be naked and dead….” I just giggled…” Hey knowledge is power… School House Rock taught me THAT” :laughing:

OK sorry just had to share... i will remember that moment for the rest of my days

 

Hi there,

I have been a lurker reading everyone's helpful, considreate answers for the past 6 months since my twins have been born. This is the first time I have felt so compelled that I had to register and post a response.

It seems certain people on here have some strong oppinions about television.

To the person who keeps posting somewhat nasty responses and let's face it, you now who you are:

There is no need to be judgmental or nasty when giving feedback. People come on here to get advise and support and to know they are not alone because we've all questioned at one time or another whether we are being a good parent.

People are getting defensive because of the way you're responding and forcing your values on others. Giving advise and your oppinion is one thing, but you're doing it in a mean way. It's great that you are able to sacrafice and it does not bother you to not have television on all day that you have found other things that work for you. You are wonderful, maybe even perfect.

The rest of us, while good people are just doing the best we can and as long as our babies are smiling, laughing, learning and growing each day we know we're doing just fine.

Long live Sesame Street.

 

QUOTE(irebren8 @ Oct 7 2008, 05:20 PM) [snapback]1016279[/snapback]
Hi there,

I have been a lurker reading everyone's helpful, considreate answers for the past 6 months since my twins have been born. This is the first time I have felt so compelled that I had to register and post a response.

It seems certain people on here have some strong oppinions about television.

To the person who keeps posting somewhat nasty responses and let's face it, you now who you are:

There is no need to be judgmental or nasty when giving feedback. People come on here to get advise and support and to know they are not alone because we've all questioned at one time or another whether we are being a good parent.

People are getting defensive because of the way you're responding and forcing your values on others. Giving advise and your oppinion is one thing, but you're doing it in a mean way. It's great that you are able to sacrafice and it does not bother you to not have television on all day that you have found other things that work for you. You are wonderful, maybe even perfect.

The rest of us, while good people are just doing the best we can and as long as our babies are smiling, laughing, learning and growing each day we know we're doing just fine.

Long live Sesame Street.

 

QUOTE(ddancerd1 @ Oct 7 2008, 09:26 AM) [snapback]1015379[/snapback]
totally thread jacking here, buuuut
i went to youtube and found this...
schmoopy


Dannielle, :lol:
Love it!!!

 

I thought long and hard about responding to this thread but feel compelled as I am a kindergarten teacher and a reading specialist. I also have a 9 year old and twin 10 month old boys.

Reading is about deriving meaning from print. It is not about decoding words. It is about enjoyment, understanding that there is a message in words that are strung together in a sentence and those sentences put together in a paragraph and those paragraphs put together to create a story. It is about being able to take those words and see a "movie" in your mind as you read. It is about being able to understand what you read and being able to talk about it.

It is NOT about just being able to read words. I really think that parents get hung up about their child reading words and then being able to say that their child could read at a young age. I have taught MANY of these children and although they can read some big words, they really have no idea what they read. They are not able to retell, recall, infer, relate or reflect about the text they read. Being able to do all these skills IS reading.

Young children SHOULD be read to as much as possible with quality children's books that have beautiful illustrations. Young children should be having conversations (albeit probably short ones) about the books being read. Young children should have opportunities to choose books that they have read to them even if it is the 100th time that you have read this book. Opportunities to visit the local library or a school book fair are always exciting.
One of the biggest indications that a child will be successful with reading is the child that has a home library and is read to every day.

I really do believe that children are pushed WAY to young and should really enjoy just being children. Learning skills is not a race. Some children get out of the "starting blocks" earlier than others and really, it is most likely just part of their genetic makeup. But, reallly, children catch up with each other as they get into school. I have had students that knew no letters at the beginning of juniour kindergarten and were reading in a few months as they were immersed in a rich language environment and picked it up through all the learning activities of our day. Pushing children to learn skills too early can just frustrate them and turn them off from learning the skill.

If you are still reading my post, below are some links from the International Reading Association about family literacy.

http://www.reading.org/downloads/parents/pb1044_involved.pdf
http://www.reading.org/downloads/parents/pb1070_ready.pdf
http://www.reading.org/downloads/parents/pb1071_support.pdf

The link below is from "Reading Is Fundamental"
http://www.rif.org/parents/0_4.mspx

As for the topic of tv. Everything in moderation. My DD watches about 1 hr a day as much of what she watches is talked about by her friends (ex. Hannah Montana) so there is a social reason for it. My boys watch Baby Einstein occasionally, mostly if I have something to tidy in the kitchen or if I am exhausted and need 20 minutes. I do however, strongly recommend "The Letter Factory" for preschoolers (age 3+) and kindergarteners. It is a great way to learn letters and their corresponding sounds.

Anyway, just my .02cents. But please remember that childhood is not a race. Studies have shown that only 2% of children will not be able to learn to read. The majority will learn when they are ready developmentally. The best thing you can do is to read and TALK to your children and expose them to books. Reading as well as oral language is EXTREMEMLY important in building the foundation for future reading and writing.

 

melissa+3, I loved your post. Although I'm not a teacher, your response reflects exactly how I feel about teaching children to read - and about academic pressures in general! It's outrageous to me how inappropriate academics have become in our schools. Especially for young children.

I'm so grateful to have found a [post="http://www.whywaldorfworks.org"]Waldorf[/post] school for my daughter. It's founded on a developmental appropriate curriculum. My daughter is in Kindergarten right now, where they spend a lot of time on oral storytelling, which expands vocabulary, attention span and comprehension skills. They also do a lot of knitting and sewing, which allows their little fingers to become nimble and ready for writing when the time comes. Meanwhile, her energy and will are being exercised with hard work for busy little hands, like bread baking and gardening. The attention to detail in the Waldorf curriculum is amazing. It truly does take into account what children need at each unique stage of development. Too bad more schools aren't this thoughtful

My daughter is bright, thriving and very happy as a result of not being pressured prematurely! And she's exactly what you describe: a child who can decode words, but who can't yet create that movie in her mind. But I'm not worried. I know she'll do it when she's ready.

 

QUOTE(Schmoopy @ Oct 10 2008, 12:04 PM) [snapback]1020639[/snapback]
melissa+3, I loved your post. Although I'm not a teacher, your response reflects exactly how I feel about teaching children to read - and about academic pressures in general! It's outrageous to me how inappropriate academics have become in our schools. Especially for young children.

I'm so grateful to have found a [post="http://www.whywaldorfworks.org"]Waldorf[/post] school for my daughter. It's founded on a developmental appropriate curriculum. My daughter is in Kindergarten right now, where they spend a lot of time on oral storytelling, which expands vocabulary, attention span and comprehension skills. They also do a lot of knitting and sewing, which allows their little fingers to become nimble and ready for writing when the time comes. Meanwhile, her energy and will are being exercised with hard work for busy little hands, like bread baking and gardening. The attention to detail in the Waldorf curriculum is amazing. It truly does take into account what children need at each unique stage of development. Too bad more schools aren't this thoughtful

My daughter is bright, thriving and very happy as a result of not being pressured prematurely! And she's exactly what you describe: a child who can decode words, but who can't yet create that movie in her mind. But I'm not worried. I know she'll do it when she's ready.


I agree, and I wish we had a school like that here. I actually wrote in and told one of my girls' teachers that I knew her fine motor skills weren't up to writing well (the other one is advanced in that area), but that I'm not worried, because that was a first-grade skill when I was in school and I'm sure she'll have the hang of it by the end of first grade. I just don't see the advantage in being able to write neatly at age 5. Knitting and sewing--now those are useful skills! I wish I knew how to sew. (I had no interest as a child, but these days I really admire people who sew well.)

 

QUOTE(rubyturquoise @ Oct 10 2008, 12:19 PM) [snapback]1020662[/snapback]
I agree, and I wish we had a school like that here. I actually wrote in and told one of my girls' teachers that I knew her fine motor skills weren't up to writing well (the other one is advanced in that area), but that I'm not worried, because that was a first-grade skill when I was in school and I'm sure she'll have the hang of it by the end of first grade. I just don't see the advantage in being able to write neatly at age 5. Knitting and sewing--now those are useful skills! I wish I knew how to sew. (I had no interest as a child, but these days I really admire people who sew well.)


rubyturquoise, if you're concerned about your daughter's fine motor skills, I have a suggestion for you...
Teach your daughter how to finger knit: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Teach-a-Chi...Knit-or-Crochet. It's really easy to do, and it'll help her hands become more dexterous. Then, once she has mastered that, try a knitting mushroom - http://www.hearthsong.com/hearthsong/produ...005&pgc=201. Those are really fun, and you'll have gifts for the whole family!

 

QUOTE(Schmoopy @ Oct 10 2008, 01:25 PM) [snapback]1020671[/snapback]
rubyturquoise, if you're concerned about your daughter's fine motor skills, I have a suggestion for you...
Teach your daughter how to finger knit: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Teach-a-Chi...Knit-or-Crochet. It's really easy to do, and it'll help her hands become more dexterous. Then, once she has mastered that, try a knitting mushroom - http://www.hearthsong.com/hearthsong/produ...005&pgc=201. Those are really fun, and you'll have gifts for the whole family!


We used to use something like that knitting mushroom when we were kids. Actually, just four nails in a wooden spool. Doesn't that make me sound ancient, like I just stepped out of Little House on the Prairie?

It was so fun to make bracelets and such with it!

 

QUOTE(joannabug @ Oct 10 2008, 01:25 PM) [snapback]1020783[/snapback]
We used to use something like that knitting mushroom when we were kids. Actually, just four nails in a wooden spool. Doesn't that make me sound ancient, like I just stepped out of Little House on the Prairie?

It was so fun to make bracelets and such with it!


Actually, Gma brought hers over, but declared that children cannot really learn to knit until they are 7. The girls--and even the boys--were flummoxed by it, so I took her at her word.

eta: I am not a person who tends to stress about these things. DS1 did everything early, DS2 entered K knowing the letter "A." He caught up really fast and is actually a gifted student. I have a more child-directed teaching style and unless someone has a disability in a particular area, I figure it willl shake out fine in the end.

 

QUOTE(rubyturquoise @ Oct 10 2008, 01:27 PM) [snapback]1020787[/snapback]
Actually, Gma brought hers over, but declared that children cannot really learn to knit until they are 7. The girls--and even the boys--were flummoxed by it, so I took her at her word.

eta: I am not a person who tends to stress about these things. DS1 did everything early, DS2 entered K knowing the letter "A." He caught up really fast and is actually a gifted student. I have a more child-directed teaching style and unless someone has a disability in a particular area, I figure it willl shake out fine in the end.


I have to respectfully disagree with your friend. My 5 yo can knit - both finger knitting and with the mushroom, and she really loves it. Little hands need to be busy! They love challenges like that. And esp. finger knitting is very simple to learn. Maybe your friend was talking about knitting with needles?

But I'm sure you're right - things will work out in the end.

 

Melissa, thank you so much for your post! I agree 100%, and you expressed yourself so well. Thank you for taking the time to write it.

Rubyturquoise, come on over and I will teach you how to sew! (And knit too, if you want.)

 

Hey Josalyn... where are you? LOL!!! Sounds like someone might have a used copy to sell...