Has Anyone Tried the Your Baby Can Read?

I'm sure the babies/kids end up memorizing the words if they watch it enough, but in my opinion it's not the best thing to do with a baby/toddler.... to plunk them in front of a TV so they can learn some words a little earlier than the neighbor's kid. There have been plenty of studies stating that early exposure to TV is NOT recommended while babies/kids brains are still growing and the connections are being developed as it can cause problems. I think it would be more parent-friendly to use books or cards and spend the time directly with your baby (no tv) if you want them to start to recognize words as a baby (and cheaper). This would be healthier all around, both for their brain and for your bonding/parenting time. I think even the AMerican Academy of Pediatrics says to limit television exposure until age 2...probably for a reason.

Why is there a craze with having babies learn words anyway? It's disturbing to be that the late night TV infomercial is promoting this as if it's the latest trick to do with your own offspring. It lures people in and somehow convinces them that this is a good thing to do and somehow makes their child better. ACK! Just read, spend time and explore life together... With that $200 buy your family some books and some memberships into Great Explorations Childrens Museum (which also gets you into MOSI) and the zoo... there is FAR more learning and family fun to be gained from this as compared to hours sitting in front of an electronic box....

I bought this about one year ago and My daughter was 4 then and she loves to learn, BUT seems to get VERY bored watching these DVD's.... I almost feel as though I'm punishing her. My son started when he was one and is now two and he pays attention some of the time. I have to say I think this is something you can do on your own without spending the money. It's all about repetition. I think flash card and books with the words and images is all you need. My daughter did not learn to "read" from this video. She just memorized the words. There is a big difference. If you put in the effort to find some good picture books with words and some good flashcards with words... and work on them EVERY day I believe you would have the same results for a much smaller price. You just have to be consistant and repeat the same flashcards and books for a month at a time and then add more flashcards and add another book! Good Luck.

What's the rush?

Kudos to Heather B. - I think she hits it on the head.

Read to your child and don't force anything. Let her learn naturally and at her own pace. If she ends up memorizing words on a screen I don't think it's really reading for context. Not to mention that you're paying $200 for something that is completely unecessary (kids have been learning to read on their own for hundreds of years ;>).

I think we're all a little too obsessed with having our kids read earlier and earlier. A natural progression makes a better reader. My son "learned to read" fluently in 1st grade (age 6). I never rushed him, and luckily his teachers didn't worry a whole lot about it. I think he taught himself to read so he could read the words in his DS games. But now, at 8, he can read and understand (and that is key) anything that ANY adult can (and a lot that many adults can't).

Let's take the pressure of our kids, step back and watch how smart they really are!

We have tried it and our 5 year old (Pre K) is above 1st grade level. We used it from 1 yr to about 3 years old specificly for him, and then for our 2 1/2 year old. Though I did not "ONLY" allow him to watch these videos, and i only did flash cards a couple times a week at best. But both children I believe have benefitted from the videos.
Good Luck :) Feel free to contact me if you need more info!

I'm actually using it right now! We are in our second month (which is really volume 1 because there is a beginner DVD). So far, it has worked. The success is mostly based on repetition; however, my son is almost 2 and can already read through the beginner DVD and some of the first volume. I'd recommend it so far!

A little about me: married with a birthday boy this month-he'll be 2!

To the previous poster:

My daughter learned sign language from a DVD. She learned her ABC's from a DVD. She learned to count from a DVD. She has been able to write her name since she was 2, because of the ABC DVD showing her how to make the letters. In addition, she is currently learning Spanish from a DVD. Flash cards can only do so much. Books can only do so much. Most kids don't enjoy being "taught" by their parents, but Elmo or other tv personalities draw them in and hold their interest.

To Ms. L.:

My step daughter is using that program right now. She is 18 months old. She does get bored watching them for long periods, but she is starting to recognize some of the words. I would try to check it out from your local library before you buy it though. It all depends on your child.

P.S. Learning is all about memorization. It's a matter of bringing their new-found knowledge with them outside of the tv... i.e. If you are watching the Baby Einstein sign language DVD's on repeat, ask your child to sign the words he/she learned when you're eating dinner or at the park. Or make him/her point out the letters on a keyboard or on a flash card.

Good luck!!

If you are from the Lakeland area... Family Fundamentals has baby sign language classes for free. I will try that instead of spending 200 dollars. I hope this helps.

I was able to find this at my public library. You might want to check there first!

Hi L.,
I purchased the program 2 weeks ago. I had numerous reasons for buying it. I'm a certified elementary teacher now doing home daycare because I decided 3 years ago to stay home with my little boy after his birth. I care for 6 kids between the ages of 8 weeks and 3 and we've been doing the program twice a day for 2 weeks and my babies are reading. It's fun for the kids and the look forward to it every day. It's well worth the money. I know some parents say its not worth it but I'm here to tell you kids are failing kindergarten now days and kids learn by 3 different modalities. This program uses
two out of the three modalities (visual and auditory) Hope this helps. Good luck.
A.