Anyone's opinion of the "Your Baby Can Read" software?

Question

I am about to have my first child (8 days) and saw an info-mercial on the "Your Baby Can Read" software. I am interested but have doubts as well.

Do you think it works?

Do you think it pushes the child too much (It starts at 3 months but seems fun like Sesame Street)?

Any other ideas/opinions?

http://www.yourbabycanread.com/your-baby-read-deluxe-learning-p-315.html

Answer 1

I think it's gonna take a LOT more than software to teach a newborn to 'read.' =]

Answer 2

I have ordered my copy from ebay, it was $130 with some bonus flash cards. I seen it as well, and thought it looked excellent. I think anything that gives them a head start in the reading department that has plenty of backing from creditable sources and lots of positive testimonies is worth giving a try. It has been featured on lots of television shows. If it works I will be thrilled. Of course I will read to my son as well though. I still haven't received as yet so haven't got to try it out. His theories makes sense, and there is plenty of video footage that backs up his work. He even used the program on his own daughters who were reading flash cards at 9 months old. Giving them a head start now will certainly pay off in the future - reading is a very important/essential skill.

Your decision of course. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 3

Most "teach your baby to read programs" use flash cards with the words written very large so the baby can distinguish the words. This is a whole word approach to teaching reading, but the problem with whole word is that not all babies/children have the aptitude to learn this way and it can increase reading difficulty for those who don't (dyslexia). The best way to teach a very young child to read is with phonics. Beware, lots and lots of products claim to be phonics programs but are not. It seems to me that any reading program that is very expensive is a gimmick designed to rip-off eager parents.

I would encourage you to enrich your baby's vocabulary now by reading lots of books and talking to your baby often about the interesting things he or she sees in the world rather than stressing over teaching them to read, it will make reading easier if your child knows LOTS of words. Teach your baby to sign as well, this is great for language development. Then, when your baby knows his/her shapes and animals sounds, he/she would also be able to learn the sounds that go with letters--phonic reading. For the grand total of fifteen dollars, you could purchase the book "Teach your child to read in just ten minutes a day" by Sidney Ledson (its more like 20-30 minutes a day). It is the program he uses at his school in Canada to teach two and three year olds to read. 100% of the children are reading by the end of the year after about 3 ten minute sessions a week. Really reading, able to decode hundreds of words, not limited to a memorized list of under 100 words! If $15 is too much, you can ask your library to order the book (most libraries take requests) or even e-mail me and I could send you a useful summary of what the program is. I have used it and it is a simple, effective, FUN way to teach your toddler to read. Good Luck, happy teaching.

Answer 4

i just recently saw the same infomercial that you may have saw. my first impression was that i was extremely impressed. but then i started thinking about the child. first of all, i don't think a child should be in front of the tv too much (or a computer...); instead he/she should be more active and playing. i think it's better for you, the parent, to read to the child yourself. i've also heard that sign language is pretty effective and is more interactive.

my source below contains valid concerns about the effectiveness about the program. personally, when i have kids myself, i may check out a dvd or so; but i don't think the whole program is the best way for a child to read.

Answer 5

Just read to your child, you dont need a machine.  No babies can read, but if you read to your child they will have better language skills, and be more articulate!

Answer 6

I haven't tried this program but I looked at the site and I wasn't that impressed. Babies and little kids should be playing, not doing flash cards. They should not be watching DVD's at all.

I believe that it might appear to work. If you show a baby the "arms up" card and show them what to do, they will learn through repetition and rote memorization. I don't think it's the best way to stimulate their minds at that age. Let them learn the way they do best--through exploring their environment and having a wide variety of experiences.

Is there really any advantage to having a baby that can read? Yeah, it would be cool to show people. But how could you talk in code (m-c-d-o-n-a-l-d-s) in front of your toddler? :)

Answer 7

Hi,

I came across this open question trying to find resolved ones on people who've actually bought and used the "Your Baby Can Read" program, too! I've been looking into the program and I think the program is a good idea. My mom was a kindergarten teacher and she began teaching me to read at the age of 3! Once I mastered simple books, she began buying books (and workbooks) a year/grade ahead of my time. By 2nd grade, I loved reading and learning and was tested for gifted and it was then that they found out that I was reading on a sixth-grade level (chapter books)! I was able to skip a grade going to private school (she did the same with my 2 sisters and brother...my sisters also skipped a grade, both going to a private school and in kindergarten at 4 years old when the rest of the class were going on 6 years old...my brother was a "different breed" he wasn't as interested as we were, but he is in he correct grade on target) She has a daycare now, and I taught the 4-5 year old class the Abeka Phonics chart (which is what was used for me) accompanied with the Higher Reach Learning Curriculum, and they all either had to go to private schools or be promoted to the next grade. So, it is possible to do it yourself with the right materials and guidance.I just had an advantage because my Mom had degrees in early childhood education, and I just inherited her teaching skills and used her techniques.

Although I recommend you try it out (I will be ordering my set for my 9 month old after she's mastered simple signing), I'd wait until baby gets here...by the time your babe reaches the recommended age, they may have had a program upgrade with easier techniques or new resources! And with this being your first babe, you wouldn't want anything but the latest and greatest! Trust me, all new mommy's are like that! LOL

To sum up my answer, I'd recommend you just read and engage in playful interaction with your babe until they're around 3 months. At three months, start introducing signing as this will allow baby to start making connections and began understanding cause and effect. When baby began to sign, respond accordingly and be consistent or it will not work. When baby reaches a year old and begans to mimic what you and other family members and friends say around them (hello, bye-bye, eat, etc.) then that'll let you know that your baby is able to handle more complex connections like sight, sound, and say (i.e. Your Baby Can Read Dvds and Flashcards). I also believe that you shouldn't allow the dvds alone to teach/babysit your child while you go off and do chores, you should be right there with them, encouraging and praising them, and with signing you'll learn alot (if you don't know how already)!

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR L & D as well as your life as a new mommy!! Hope you found your answer in my long answer!! :0)

P.S. If you look at their website, there is a viewing schedule...so your child won't be in front of the television all day like some have mentioned...15-30 minutes of educational television a day will not hurt and will actually help your child because even though my daughter's young, some times when I'm reading or trying to play with her she'll look past me at baby einstein on t.v. like "Mom you're boring" :0) Adults even get tired of one person talking or teaching in a meeting, class, or conference for work or school. A babe's attention span is even shorter because they don't have the reasoning skills that would tell them you're trying to help them learn! So don't let things like that worry you! You have a "Mommy Instinct" that'll kick in if you start pushing your babe too much!!

Answer 8

If you want to spend money, but some baby sign, or proper sign language dvds so you can teach your child. They won't learn from the dvd, but will learn from you. Signing increases kids' vocabulary a lot faster than their English can progress, and it makes the toddler years a lot easier!

Don't bother buying this rubbish. Most (not all) children are not developmentally ready to learn to read until around 7 years, give or take a bit. Read to your child, buy them some of those plastic bath books, then board books to play with. That way, they will learn to be interested in books. Reading them for themselves comes much later; and is *meant* to come much later.

How can it work? A baby can't learn to read until they have learned a language. Signing would be much more useful. Fun, and useful.

Let your baby lead you. They aren't creatures that need stuff done to them. They will grow at their own pace. It sounds weird, but if you watch your child enough, you start thinking of providing the resources needed for the next stage of development. It just happens. Your baby is the best person to teach you how to be their parent. "Listen" to them before you listen to anyone else. (Except those of us here telling you not to waste money on those dvds ;) )