Sunday, April 18, 2010

Babies aren't ready to 'read'


(thanks to www.toothpastefordinner.com for the picture)

I opened a Parents magazine the other day, and was completely disappointed that they had a 2 page add about the 'your baby can read' junk. There is no reason to teach your baby to 'read'. They have years before they will really be developmentally ready for that.

Sure, it might work for some people, but what are those kids losing out on? The ability to color, hold scissors, and to just talk and have a childhood is much more important than impressing your friends with your child's ability to read. I've found, in my 10+ years of teaching preschool and being in a daycare setting that children who are very strong academically suffer with the social/emotional side of things. I have not found that the opposite is true.

Kids go to school for a reason, and are taught by professionals, not from a video or flashcards. There is no substitute for just talking and reading to your child. At ages two to five, children are sponges. They absorb everything, and while you might not see it right away, those connections are being made, and will one day fit together.

2 comments:

  1. There is no substitute for just talking and reading to your child.
    you should start talking to your baby before its even born and never stop talking things out. Explain things to them. In full detail. Don't wait to talk to your kids. Tell them about every thing. Even read the bible to them.
    At ages two to five, children are sponges. They absorb everything, and while you might not see it right away, those connections are being made, and will one day fit together.

    (Psalm 37:29) The righteous themselves will possess the earth, And they will reside forever upon it.

    (Revelation 21:4) And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
    NWT www.jw.org

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  2. YEAH YOU GO GIRL!!!!

    ReplyDelete