Your Baby Can Read -- It Worked for Me!

on February 9, 2009 at 7:21 AM

Lately, CafeMoms have been asking others to weigh in on the Your Baby Can Read program before forking over the small fortune to buy it. You've probably seen the infomercials -- it's the learning development program developed by infant researcher Dr. Robert C. Tinzer.

The ads promise that by using the DVDs, books, and flashcards, your toddler -- and even your baby -- will be on his way to reading the New York Times before pre-K. It's not cheap -- you can pick up a few books and cards for under $20, but the complete program runs $200.

I'm sure you have opinions on whether a reading baby is even a good idea or not -- and I'd love to hear them in comments. But first I want to talk to real moms who bought and used the program.

Just three weeks after marchmommyoftwo started the program, her 21 month old daughter can read a handful of words without pictures.

Why do you want your kids to read so young?

I did absolutely horribly in grade school, and one of my biggest fears is watching my kids suffer at the things I did and not knowing how to help them. This program allows my kids to learn and have fun. You don't sit them in a chair and scold them for hours or anything. It's mostly the kids wanting to know more.

Some people say that early reading doesn't matter -- they all catch up in the end so this program doesn't really give kids an edge. What do you say?

Well, they don't all catch up in the end, just look at how many high school kids still can't read! There's been plenty of studies on our soon-to-be graduates. I don't want to chance my kids "falling through the cracks" of public schools.

Academics aside, I think this will also help self-esteem. School-age kids have enough to worry about at that age ... trying to fit in or be bullied or scared they don't know as much as the other overly full class of kids.

How do you use the program?

You turn the video on at least twice a day, and pull out the cards only when they are in a good and playful mood (twice a day). They learn more when they're having fun. You read the book at reading time.

When you get this package of items it tells YOU how to teach your kids, it doesn't just leave you guessing at what to do next.

Do your kids enjoy it?

I can't really tell if my son cares about it. He watches the video and likes it. But he just wants to eat the flashcards LOL. My daughter, on the other hand, absolutely loves ALL of it. Her eyes light up when she sees me pull out the cards! I have to hide the cards sometimes just so my daughter takes a break.

Does it live up to its promise? Can your babies really read?

It's only been three weeks, but yes, I think it lives up to what it advertises. What 1 and a half year old do you know that wants to read words like tiger, clap, dog, mouth, arms, up, elephant, cats, eyes, nose and hi! Without looking at the pictures! These are ALL the words she read to my husband this morning. I didn't even know she new ALL of them till he told me!!!

What would you tell other moms -- buy it or skip it?

I'd recommend it. I understand that every child learns at different rates, but that's what's nice about this program. There are plenty off different angles you can play off of and they supply you with everything, even an interview of the inventor's kids who are now older and how it affected them growing up. I don't intend on making my kids the next Einstein or anything. It's a head start.

But wait! Before you pull out your credit card, nolaero, has a less shining review of the program. Check for her interview tomorrow in Toddler Buzz.

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: activities, language, learning

Comments (17)

rachtrin

on Feb 9, 2009 at 8:16 AM

oh, I have seen it on tv so many times....

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Brittainy412

on Feb 9, 2009 at 8:48 AM

I think its inappropriate! Right now its just a test to her memorization skills. She is not developmentally ready for "reading" Her eyes are not even fully capable of the left to right motion required for reading without assistance.

jsmjboertlein

on Feb 9, 2009 at 9:07 AM

I tried it, it didn't work. i am now using Dick and Jane Books with my 3 year old and he can read through several books on his own now.

JessecaLynn

on Feb 9, 2009 at 9:14 AM

I prefer just reading with my children at this age. They can "read" some of their books too but it is memorized, not real reading. I will wait until they are closer to 4 and then start working on their reading skills.

jaydens_mom_007

on Feb 9, 2009 at 10:09 AM

my mother in law did this with my hubby's brother when they were younger (she's an art teacher and is into educational things) and says that it was the worst mistake she ever made...she said with hubby she just read to him and is an excellent reader (he is) and with his brother he's horrible...she says that it's all about memorizing the words and they're not learning how to pronounce them and actaully reading the words on their own...their just memorizing and repeating what they have just learned.

jms124

on Feb 9, 2009 at 10:22 AM

When I was little, I wasn't read too and now I can go through 3-5 books a week. It only took 3 weeks to read all 4 of the Twilight books (and I have dyslexia!). I read to my kids, they like the cuddle time. My husband is an avid reader, too. I feel our kids will see us reading and remember being read to and will become avid readers as well.

I think "teaching" your child to read this young is, well, a waste of time! They are working on so many other skills...and what happened to just letting kids be kids? The only people benefiting from these things are the ones selling it.

JPsMommy605

on Feb 9, 2009 at 10:46 AM

sorry, but the ideal time for a child to learn pre-reading and read skills is between 3 and 6. If they haven't leared after that, yes, they will struggle. Before that, children should be focusing on learning about the world (not the words). Their brains can mimic and repeat back what they see on TV, but is that what you want your children to learn? To mimic? Let them mimic real life then, playing, cleaning, exploring the world and learning how things work. Teaching a baby to read is the wrong step at the wrong time - their brain development needs the building blocks of LIFE. Reading comes after you have a solid foundation based on tactile experience, when the brain is ready to put tactile experience into concepts (which is what reading is - words represent something else). Sorry...but I just think the best way to "teach" children to read as infants is simply by reading to them.

liltinymommy

on Feb 9, 2009 at 10:47 AM

i think it is funny how so many adults wanna force there children to be older then what they are, or be a better person then other kids, or they want there child to stand out... this is ludicris to me... these reading programs are just like that toddler and tiara show on TLC... parents force there children.. that discusses me that some kids cant be kids or babies bcz they have there parenst on there back and telling them what they have to be.... my children are kids... and are treated as kids... not someone they arnt

yvonne37

on Feb 9, 2009 at 11:47 AM

I agree with the mothers that said they think its too much for children so young, I have been teaching my two year old colors, letters, numbers, shapes and things that surround her, games, songs.. etc.. and I think that is enough for now. She is very smart and likes this time spent with mommy or daddy. I also think trying to teach a toddler to read has to do a lot with parents trying to show off their children or get them ahead in this society that we are living in, where everything is super fast.. I was debating buying this program, but came to my senses.. my daughter can start learning to read at her own pace, meanwhile she can learn other things that are as important as this.

Thank you ladies for your imput.

autodidact

on Feb 9, 2009 at 12:13 PM

the ideal time for a child to learn pre-reading and read skills is between 3 and 6. If they haven't leared after that, yes, they will struggle.

that's not necessarily so. Waldorf doesn't have kids read until they are seven, and some unschoolers don't read until as late as 11, but when they are ready and begin they are reading quite challenging books within months of starting to read.