Infant Your Baby Can Read - Howard, OH

Call me crazy since everyone else calls it a waste. My son has really enjoyed watching the videos. I purchased them because I would rather him watch something educational that might enhance his reading vs putting on cartoons. What could it hurt. We are on the 3rd DVD and my son is able to identify a lot of things in books and around the house I believe it has helped with his language skills too. I know some of the things he is learning is right on for his developmental age but I really think the videos have helped. My son just turned 16 months. They are a huge help when I am getting his food ready or if I just need a minute to myself. At first I wasn't sure if he was going to enjoy them because it took a few times for him to get the hang of watching something on TV. He watches the video during the day when my dad is getting his lunch ready and then he watches it again while I am getting his dinner ready. There are days that he will point to the DVD player because he wants to watch his video. In the intro video it talks about putting in time now to help them learn so that things will come to them easier when the get in to school. Might see if they have a special where you can review the DVDs before buying. We have enjoyed them. You might look on amazon.com and you could get them cheaper if you are interested. jd

I don't know anything about it, but I agree with the others who said not to worry about doing a specific program to get your child to read. Even if he does learn to recognize some words early, it's not really the same thing as reading. That time really would be better spent with the two of you snuggled together reading all of his favorite books.

For what it's worth, I read a ton to my now 5-year-old kindergartner. She was constantly bringing me the same books to read over and over again, and we'd talk about the details in all the pictures. We also played with dolls, blocks, and trucks. We colored pictures, ran around outside, and counted on our fingers. I talked to her a lot from the time she was born about everything around us, and I let her really experience her world. When she did watch TV, it was with me, and it was something educational like Sesame Street (at least until she was over 2). When she was interested in something, we talked about and focused on it until she was ready to move on.

She was so interested in the magnetic letters when she was 18 months old that she did learn all her letters by the time she was 2. But I didn't push her -- it was just what she wanted to be doing. She's now 5 and is reading at a 3rd grade level and doing simple addition, subtraction, and multiplication. She still loves school and loves to learn new things.

All that being said, every kid is different. My 4-year-old was a much more active kid, and she didn't want to sit and play as many academic-type things as my older daughter. However, she's still doing great for her age. She knows all her letters, can write her name, and is just learning to read a few simple words. Although her academics are behind where her sister was at this age, her gross motor skills are much better. She's also much better at reading other people's emotions than her sister was at this age.

My son is 15 months old, and he loves to read, but he also loves to run. I'm looking foward to watching how his personality and interests develop as he grows.

Kids are different, and you can introduce them to lots of different things, while following their lead, taking note of their interests, and encouraging their strengths.

Have fun, and good luck!

M., I don't know if the program works or not. But my advice would be to enjoy your toddler. Read to him, play matching games, imagination games, whatever. Just interact with him! He is learning all sorts of things that you don't even realize, every day. He will learn to read without an expensive program. Instead, spend the money on books that you love to read to him. Just you reading to him and pointing out sounds and words is probably at least as good as any contrived program. Plus, you get the benefit of all that time with him on your lap!

Even if he hasn't learned before kindergarten (but he probably will if you read to him regularly) your son wouldn't be alone in learning to read there. I see so many parents trying to push their kids in things they either aren't ready for, or aren't that interested in, and it breaks my heart when I see it. Love your boy for all that he is now, guide him in the things he needs every day, and the rest will follow.

I donno, I would think it would work to a point. They give a money back quar. too. Let me know if anyone tells you something good about it. I like the idea of it. I want to give it a try but it costs a bit much.

Hi M. I have 8 month old twin girls and I purchased just the starter DVD pack which came with word cards. It was only like $20 and I figured what the heck lets see if it works without too much money invested in it. I bought it when the girls were 4 months old. The show itself is not very interesting to look at so the girls wouldn't even really watch it. When they did watch I never noticed any kind of results. My bff purchased it at the same time for her son who was 11 months and he had absolutely NO interest in it at all. Just remember if you do buy it that they want you to have your child watch it 1-2x a DAY. Then add to it watching the 2nd, 3rd, 4th DVD. So it is a serious investment in time for your child. I found that to just be not realistic. But I asked this same question when I thought about buying it many months ago and I didn't get really any positive feedback. I am sure it works for some people out there why else would they sell it? Good luck to you.

Hi M.,
I wanted to try that out (Your Baby Can Read) Yet, I found out that if I work with my daughter, she'll be just as smart as I can get her. Read books all the time, books even ones that they can't understand to them. I did that, along with showing her her colors, numbers, shapes, all that. She knows how to right her name, recognizes everyones she knows names, colors, shapes, some addition and subtraction, she knows everything she's suppose to know that is normal for a 4-6yrs of age. She has one of the best pronounciations of a 2yr. old. And you know what...I didn't even use that program! Its time spent with her. My 2older girls play school with her (they're 12 and 10 yrs. of age)..Good Luck.

I will be honest - it is a complete waste of money. Friends of mine have it and apparently after several months he can recognize the word no and shake his head and "sometimes" yes. I think it's just a sort of visual memorization, just like learning sign language would be. They don't really "read" or get that the letters come together to form words nor that each letter has distinct sounds. I think any of these programs that put your kid on some sort of "fast track" are garbage that parents buy into. The kids will ALL get there at the same time. It won't make your kid any smarter than the child that learns to read at 4 or 5 yrs old. It's kind of how I describe walking. Some kids start early and walk at 9 months, some take a lot longer and maybe don't walk until 15 months or so. If you looked at a preschool room full of 3 year olds there is no way you'd ever be able to tell which of the children walked at 9 months old and which of those children walked later. They're all expert runners and walkers and climbers and dancers. Your baby would benefit more by sitting in your lap and having you read him/her a book rather than wasting an hour once or twice each day in front of an overpriced DVD. Put that money in his/her college fund instead. Just my 2 cents though. :-)