explaining this to others!

[kmum]

Sometimes I find it hard to explain to people that we are teaching K to read.  Teaching a baby this young to read/do math etc. is not a well known concept so people often think I'm joking (or crazy).

Has anyone else had this experience and how do you deal with it.
  

[nhockaday]

I just don't tell anyone. No one believes me or they think I'm crazy. It's too difficult to explain to people.

[kmum]

You're right - they do think I'm crazy -  &  I've been very selective about who I've told.  I would love to share though.

[chispa]

I have told some people and they do not believe me until they see Andrew reading!  My family was actually against it because they thought it was 'unnatural' to have such a young kid reading...if they only knew.  Andrew is old by some standards!    He is 2. Then they have actually join LR.

[KL]

Yep, that's why we spent so much time and effort on the For + Against and Why Teach Your Baby To Read So Early articles!

In the beginning, I naively assumed everyone would love to know about it and be excited about teaching their children, and was shocked when I encountered people who were so against it!

[DomanMom]

Yeah, I just don't really tell anyone because, like you said, most people will either think A) you're joking or B) your crazy. It's hard sometimes because you're so excited about what you're doing with your child and it's like the lot of your life, so just keeping silent is difficult, but most people think you're crazy when you tell them your two-year-old can do division.

As Doman says "The trouble with telling people things that are unbelievable is that they don't believe them." Sadly, most of our culture is still in the dark ages about babies' abilities, and most people still want to believe that babies aren't capable of much more than smiling and making dirty diapers. The other problem you run into is that a lot of people ignorantly equate early learning with child abuse. They think that it's harmful for little kids to learn, just because our culture still believes that a preschooler's lot in life is to play dress up and watch TV.

Oh well, I just figure that they'll figure it out eventually that you're really not crazy and little kids really can learn. Like last year when we went on a tour to the White House my sister was amazed that Hunter knew who all the portraits of the Presidents were. Or your baby unexpectedly demonstrates that he really can read. Or do math. Or knows butterfly species. Or recognizes a painting by Van Gogh. It'll come out eventually, and when it does no one will deny the legitimacy of it all.

However, in the meantime, it sure is hard keeping silent.

However, I do love spreading the word via my blog, and talking to other moms online on these groups.

Elizabeth

worldsbesteducation.blogspot.com

[nhockaday]

Yeah, isn't it wonderful that we have this community--where we can talk to other parents and educators who know and agree with what we're doing? A couple of weeks ago my partner told me that he was telling some family members about all of the early learning stuff I'm doing with Gabriel. His father, who went to school for psychology and understands about the growing brain, thinks what I'm doing is wonderful. But his brother's girlfriend, who has a 7 y/o, started acting really skeptical and jealous and actually left the room when he said Gabriel could do the sign for milk. I told him that is why I don't tell people anything. One day, when my son is making all A's effortlessly and loving school, they will ask what I did to spark the love of learning and natural brilliance of my son, and I will tell them. Then maybe they will believe me.

[laidalays]

Hi, explaing to others is nonsense. I have tried to convince two of my friends who also have babies that babies can learn to read at very early ages. They are not convinced at all, and they are the opinion that babies must simply play and that as they have told me they will have time to learn in the future. I have not mentioned this topic again with them, I don't feel at all comforatble talking of the topic to people who are against it.

[carpe_diem]

Yep 
We started the Teach your Baby to Read programme when Glenn Doman brought it out - I was using it in 1966 (ish) and after criticism from friends I ended up not trying to explain - just said that it was a good game that Ian loved and could play finding the cards. As he learned to read more and more words, I tended to keep quiet about it

Its odd because the same people who criticised our efforts at early learning were very quick to tell me that THEIR baby could tell cereal packets apart - and knew which sweets were in different packets - could identify makes of cars etc almost as soon as they started to talk - but they didn't see that as reading - same as they didn't seem to realise that they were being language teachers from their baby's first breath 

In fact - I have come across adults who seem to think that babies just play - and that they don't learn anything until they are 5 or 6 and start formal education. My DH and I have both heard parents saying "I have (x number ) kids and I'm not a teacher - thats what they go to school for." 

[jtg]

I found that sending my mom to the FAQ page at the Native Reading site worked well. It's at http://www.nativereading.com/faq.html.

She came away convinced and enthusiastic, whereas before she was very skeptical. Native Reading was my way into early reading for my kids. I only found out about the Domans after. I think Kailing's approach may come across as less confrontational for some people than the Doman's. I particularly think his analogy between reading and learning a second language in the first chapter is persuasive for many people. (It's also online: http://www.nativereading.com/introduction.html)

That's how I explain it to people anyway, I explain that, properly taught, learning to read early is like learning a second language early.

Still, people can get really competitive about how their kids are doing in comparison to others. It comes from a good place -- everyone wants to do right by their kids. But it can lead people to reject new ideas that challenge the way they've already done things. Expecting a parent of an older child to be positive about early reading is especially unlikely. They just feel like they missed the boat.

Because of this, parents of newborns, or those pregnant, are the most likely to be receptive. I also think there is an "unsolicited advice" reaction sometimes, people just don't want to be told how to do things sometimes, especially when it comes to raising kids. Especially face to face. So, as far as sharing the idea is concerned, I think giving a pregnant friend Native Reading or the Domans' book is sometimes better than talking to her about it. Doing things a bit more indirectly lets people feel like it is their idea, instead of yours. I'm not totally sure why this can be such a big factor, but it is.

[kmum]

Glad to hear it's not just me having trouble explaining & like pp said at least we can share ideas here.

jtg - Does your baby really wear glasses?

[akgard]

I'm just glad that both my sisters have found this site and are actively involved in the forums otherwise I'm not sure I would be able to explain this to anyone.  I've shared it with several parents but only 2 of them actually thought it was really worth trying. 
I also took the Your baby can read videos to daycare and she was a bit skeptical but I convinced here to try it and all the kids love the videos and ask for it.  I've now had 3 of the parents ask about it and they've said they will be checking out Little Reader so they can do reading at home!  It's amazing that so much of believing is seeing!

[jtg]

kmum, both my kids have perfect eyes (so far at least). I, however, am nearly as blind as a bat without contacts or glasses. Hopefully it's not genetic. The pic is just one of the defaults that you get when you are too technically inept or lazy (or both!) to upload a real picture!

[lila_and_mom]

what i noticed is that, when i share information about early education to people who are single or who have kids but doesnt know anything about early education -- i get the "you have to joking" reactions. however, when i try to talk other moms with babies into doing early education with their children, and ofcourse share this site and all the wonderful things i've learned from the moms here -- they tell me its too much work. or they don't have the time to sit and teach their kids using the pc or even just flashcards... its frustrating really. and i dont feel the need to show them what lila can do now because of all the things i've learned here so fas as terms of early education..

[fatima786]

i feel so relieved.
i am so glad that i am not the only one.
i get those crazy looks and i feel so stupid after ive tried to explain early reading and get that strange look. the one that says yea we believe you, not!
i love this website and i am glad i found it when i did

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