Anyone Used Your Baby Can Read

Obviously those of you who have used this program are happy with it & that's good. I am, however, going to offer some words of caution even though I am unfamiliar with this particular program. I am a pediatric speech-language pathologist. I am biased against such programs for several reasons. First, there are SO MANY things a parent can do, and should do, that involve direct interaction with the kiddos. Talk, talk, talk--about what you are doing, what they are doing, what you are thinking... And avoid the "S" word, as in "can you SAY" or "SAY ____"! If they COULD say it they WOULD say it. But YOU can't say the desired word too much. Model, model, model--in context. And read TO them. It's a hugely important part of language development while teaching them that reading is a fun thing that you value. Second, just because a child can learn something doesn't mean it is a good thing to do at an earlier-than-expected age. There are sooooo many things a child should be learning at 18 months, and 20 months, and 36 months. Why add yet another skill to an already packed agenda? Also, watching two dimentional TV images is not a good thing for developing eyes! There is a time and a season for everything....Third, speech is about communicating, not performing. The best way to learn to talk is to talk with another human, not imitate a video. I read an interesting study (sorry, can't give you the reference now) that compared chilren who were actively taught to read (not self-taught--a whole different situation) before the age of 5, with children who were taught at age 6 or 7. They looked at these same kids when they were in grades 5 & 6. There was no statistically significant difference in their reading skill. There was, however, a slight (not statistically significant) difference in which group read for pleasure. Yep, the kids that were taught to read later! If your child has a speech therapist, ask what you can do all day, every day, to help your child speak. I'll bet flash cards are not high on the list of recommendations. That's not to say that you can't play with letter recognition and learning what their name looks like, etc. I know you are sincerely concerned & want to help your kids. And I commend you. Being a mom is an awesome and often daunting job. But remember, you are raising your children, not racing them. Spend that money on toys that encourage vocalization & that you can play with them (like toy food/kitchens)and model good speech while having fun! I'll get down off my soap box now :)

I haven't seen/used Your Baby Can Read but I can tell you that Signing Time is WONDERFUL!!! There is a whole series by Rachel Coleman. It truly is wonderful.

My mother-in-law gave that to us about a month ago. My son is 15 months and his doctor told us he is behind in speech. We have used the first DVD twice a day like the directions call for. My son repeats some of the words, he also knows what word is coming next because he prepares for it. As for teaching them to read? I can't say anything yet. I think after more time it is gong to help with his speech. Besides it can't hurt for him to see/hear the words everyday. Good Luck

I have seen the commercials for Your Baby Can Read but I don't know anyone that has personally used it. Yet. I do know that little babies have a huge capacity for learning multiple languages and things like that. My neice taught her daughter to use sign language from the time she was an infant and that little girl could also talk up a storm once she put the words and signs together. I hope you will hear from someone who has used the technique because I have been very curious. If it had been around when my kids were babies, I would have definitely tried it.

A.,
Hello! I bought the package from my baby can read when my daughter was about 10 or 11 monthes and I've had her watching them. She won't sit down for too long she is very very active. It comes with flash cards and several books also that the package I bought came with. As far as reading on her own I'm not sure if she's picked it up completely but it really has gotten her to talk and she can actually say most of the words on the video! I try the flash card and she see the pics and says what they are but as far as actual reading as I said I'm not sure if she can or not. But I really do think it does help them say word and it goes over it several times. They say to play the first video for at least 4 week and to work with the site cards as well. After the four week you go on to the next video and so on even if you don't notice if they pick it up. I think it is a good learning tool and it does work. I do think it depends on how active your child is to how much they absorb as well but you really need to be involved as well to make it work. It's not something that they can do and watch on their own and pick up with out an adult giding them. Good luck on trying it if you do and I hope this help! I'm going to try it with my son as well. My daughter is 19 monthes now and I have a son that is 9 weeks old. I think it will work easier with him since he is younger and can run around. LOL Good luck!
M.

A.,

My husband had seen the commercial for My Baby Can Read and bought it. I have played the DVDs and done the flash cards. My 2 year old daughter has a speech delay so she goes to a speech therapist once a week. I think that the Baby Can Read product is good. My daughter is starting to talk more, but hasn't picked up reading quite yet. We have also used signing time and that contributed to her break through. Both are great. It is hard, but gets easier in time. Good luck.