Teaching baby to read?

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  • February 25, 2009 at 2:18 am
    csmamma
    Participant

    What do you all think about teaching babies or toddlers to read? My sister in law is teaching her 23 month old with some new dvd thats out there – can’t remember what its called. I guess the 2 year old knows like 40 words now. Hmmmm…sounds fishy to me but maybe not. She asked me if I would like to use it with my 16 month old but not to sure about this. Do any of you know about this or have any thoughts.

    Thanks much

    Heather

    February 25, 2009 at 10:16 am
    CindyS
    Participant

    I’m not familiar with this subject and besides the fact that every mothering molecule in me cringed at the thought, the first thing I thought was, “When did Heather start needing something else to fill up her time with?”

    Have a great day, Heather! Whenever I read your posts I think how blessed your family is because you are so sweet.

    Blessings,

    Cindy

    February 25, 2009 at 12:40 pm
    csmamma
    Participant

    Cindy ~ thank you.

    I guess I was just looking for some confirmation that its not necessary. When I heard about it, it seemed to go against all the convictions I hold dear inside such as gentle, enjoyable time, just reading aloud & looking over picture books with my baby. Also, when my other boys learned to put a word together for the first time, there was nothing like seeing that joy on their faces; I wouldn’t want to trade that for pushing my baby to read. Cindy, you will enjoy this story….

    When my middle son first learned to put together his first word; c-a-t…he stood up with a glow on his face and a giggle; he began to run to his room as fast as he could ( I thought what in the world is he doing ). He returned holding his Big Bible in his little hand and said “Mamma, now I can read my bible!” lol ~ It was one of my most beautiful moments of homeschooling.

    With that said, I cringe at the thought of taking that joy away and pushing it at such a young age. Also, I think I’d rather take that time in toddler years for much greater things – nature walks, cuddling up with beautiful picture books, playing with blocks, singing songs, saying bible verses together, teaching family ways, habit training, and lots of sibling love, etc…

    Maybe it works for some to teach their baby to read but, after a good nights sleep on it and a good talk with my husband & Lord thismorning, we’re thinking that its just not for us.

    I guess after hearing my sister-in-law and mom tell me that “I” should be doing this with my baby too, I got to questioning my priorities for my own baby and it only strengthened my convictions.

    Thanks for allowing me to share everyone and I still would love to hear your comments either way.

    Have a wonderful day, friends.

    Heather

    February 25, 2009 at 11:13 pm
    Tanya
    Participant

    Heather,

    I am no expert, but my husband’s aunt teaches preschool, and she told me that very young children’s eye muscles are not developed enough to handle reading. This means that the older they get, they have a hard time using just their eyes to read, but instead have to turn their whole heads as they read things. Not to mention the eye strain! She said this also then affects their fine motor skills because their eye muscles are weak. Again, I am not even going to pretend that I have any personal knowledge of this, but she was very against it.

    On a more personal note, I’m not sure I see the point. There are so many things that little ones get to experience and enjoy, why push something they don’t really need?

    February 25, 2009 at 11:35 pm
    CindyS
    Participant

    Tanya, I thought that was the case but I didn’t mention it because I wasn’t sure I actually heard that or just made it up. That’s good advice.

    February 26, 2009 at 2:18 pm
    Gem
    Participant

    I think a much better parlor trick for babies is teaching them sign language. I used this with both of my little ones – there are a few books about it, and I used the one that is based on American Sign Language, “Sign With Your Baby”.

    http://www.amazon.com/Sign-Your-Baby-Communicate-Infants/dp/0966836774/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_k2a_1_txt?pf_rd_p=304485601&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-2&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0966836707&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0JZ6JKSD0EJ83ZES2XNZ

    I see that there are many pricey extras available for this system – all you need is a book. I don’t think it is a good idea for babies to watch tv at all.

    Sign language taps into a baby’s innate need to communicate and can help relieve frustration if the child can express what they desire even before they can say the words. My kids mostly wanted to communicate about food (hungry, bite, drink, yummy etc), needing help, and articles of clothing. Oh, and using the potty. These are the main parts of a baby/toddler’s life, after all.

    It was fun, and it reinforced our relationship and made us pay close attention to one another – interpreting signs made by baby hands is sometimes an art. My daughter started using a soft sippy cup when she was about 4 mos old – every time I would give her a sip, I would use the sign for drink. When she was about 6 mos old, she began making the sign herself to show me that she wanted a sip. She always meant a sip from her water cup, never to nurse. She had an intent and communicated it, at 6 mos. old.

    Amazing! What fun it would be to unlock what is inside a baby’s mind.

    Gem

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