LR vs. YBCR -- testimonies?

[Sharpie]

Hi,

This is probably a question that has been covered many times, but I really haven't had time to do much digging in old posts, therefore: does anyone have a preference between LR and YBCR?  If so, why? 

Has anyone tried both?  If so, with which did your child learn better?

In brief, my son just turned 22 months.  I started him on Doman cards when he was an infant.  Having a difficult time keeping up with making cards, I switched to ppt presentations.  Since I was using presentations I found online, the words I showed him were more haphazard in nature, no longer really following a structured method.  Over the last few months, for various reasons, (including not having enough structure to really feel like I was accomplishing much with my son), I slowed my efforts down considerably, to almost nil.

So essentially, I feel like I'm starting from scratch again and would like to use a more structured method.  I'm currently using the LR two week trial which has so far held my son's interest.  But does anyone have reason to believe that one program is more beneficial than the other?

Incidentally, I also just recently started using DadDude's Reading Bear (excellent!), his flashcards, plus Starfall.  To further augment my son's reading program, either LR or YBCR would be great, I'm just not sure which one at this point.

Any recommendations?

Thank you in advance!

[NadiaD]

LR definitely would be my choice!
YBCR is an effective system, but once you are done with all DVDs, you can not use it anymore..
LR you can use for teaching your child to read in many languages by downloading some files from the LR library!
You can use it for teaching Encyclopedic Knowledge, Music Theory, etc.
LR, Reading Bear and Preschool Prep Company" Meet the Sight words" and " Meet the Phonics" series are our favorites!

[timandsveta]

I second that. LR is a lot more versatile and more comprehensive program than YBCR. We did YBCR and are now watching "Your Child Can Read" set since my twins love the DVDs and ask for them, but after you're done with the DVDs, you're kind of stuck. This was when we got LR. You can go over the DVD set again of course, but who wants to? It's boring for you and your child. My husband can't stand to hear the jingle anymore! The amount of words you can learn is limited by the content of the DVD. With LR, you can download great stuff or make your own as much as you want to.

That being said, you can get YBCR DVDs very cheaply on Ebay, and this is something you can't do with LR. And, like I said, my twins like the DVDs, but they like LR as well.

They also enjoy LeapFrog "Letter Factory", "Phonics Farm", "Talking Words Factory", and "Numbers Ahoy". Some of them are available on Netflix, and if you subscribe, it's awesome. The rest can be gotten cheaply on Amazon as used goods.

[TeachingMyToddlers]

We started with YBCR and while my daughter enjoyed it and learned all the words, after that it was as good as a paperweight. So we went looking for more and eventually found LR. My kids love the stories and fables, and you can stop each slide individually to let the child read. YBCR doesn't really give you that option, along with customization. We've uploaded pictures and videos of our kids on outings in such and they LOVE seeing themselves on TV. We hook our laptop up to the TV and make the words nice and big, or we bring the laptop up to their rooms for some lessons before bed. It's the best of both worlds really. LR gives you 3000 words, I think YBCR is about 300 or so. So LR gives you more bang for your buck by far. The other thing is I'm don't know that I'm really comfortable putting a 3-8 month old in front of a DVD for 30 minutes at a time. Yes of course you can turn it off, but how many parents really do? The LR lessons are much more condensed with less fluff IMO.

Having said that, I still believe language rich educational DVDs are leaps and bounds ahead of any broadcast television. So use LR daily and then use DVDs for the times they would have most likely been watching TV anyway. Use whatever program or combination best serves your family's needs!

[Kerileanne99]

Sharpie-
My daughter turned two in Dec, and has started using YBCR at 8 weeks, with tremendous success, although she was nearly 8 mo old before I really saw any significant signs that she had could identify words.  At one year we moved on to YCCR, which is much faster paced and designed to keep her attention better at an older age...I only recently started LR, but worried about spending the money if she wouldn't learn anything new...the words in the LR trial are very similar to YBCR, but this is expected because they are words that apply to a babies world!
But we did buy it, and I wish I had it before...it is more involved than I would have guessed from the trial, and the two are very complimentary...if I had it to do all over again, I would use them together for reinforcement and keeping her attention...many times we did the YBCR videos together, but after the first few times on each video I would play it for her sometimes whist making dinner or doing dishes...she was still in the room, so I could provide some emphasis, or sing the song or clap with her, that sort of thing...
At your LOs age, you will be doing the LR on the computer with them, so it gives you a much bigger variety...plus, using them integrates the reading into your world more, and they get used to seeing words everywhere, not just on the computer or the television.

I also really like (and daughter too!) the YBCR sliding word cards. The word is printed on the front, and when you pull on one end the picture is revealed. A has never tired of these and treats them like old friends. They have books in the same fashion that the kids really love...

In addition, YBCR comes with the Your Baby Can Discover set that teaches patterns, complex shapes, colors, numbers, which A really likes still.

One thing, I have have recommended YBCR to friends that have toddlers with mixed results...from my personal experience if the kids are older and have watched very much regular kiddie programming, like cartoons and such, YBCR didn't seem to interest them... But I also feel like their parents didn't really give it a true chance, turning it off and putting cartoons on for them!
As with any of these programs, you get out of it what you put into it...I think the expectation that you can start your kids out with horrible habits, then plop in a DVD for a couple of times and expect they will come out reading War and Peace is what results in finding yourself front -in-center on the Today Show protesting the unfairness of it all!
Did anybody else feel AWFUL for that poor child? She was paraded out on national television, saying 'hey, YBCR may be working for thousands of people, but not for me!'. And it isn't even the poor child's fault...talk about putting learning pressures on your child...

Hope it helps...

[Sharpie]

Thanks for all of your responses!

Incidentally, am I the only one who writes a post, then inadvertently hits the back button and loses everything written?  Arggh.

Anyhoo, it sounds like LR is indeed more versatile -- the better the bang for the buck, the easier it will be to get my husband on board!

I also didn't realize that the segments were 30 minutes long for YBCR.  Most likely, my little guy would not be pleased if I tried to turn it off early.  He doesn't watch tv, and up until we started the LR trial version a few days ago, Baby Signing Time, ppt presentations, and the occasional educational youtube video were all he's seen.  I really don't want to get into the habit of having him watch so much in such a long chunk.  As it is, it's all too tempting to sneak out of the room and get something done while he's watching Reading Bear or Baby Signing Time.  Thankfully, he really likes so sit on my lap to watch, so he keeps me in check! 

Okay, so has anyone actually had real reading success with LR?  (Sorry if my question seems ludicrous.)  I know DadDude's son has done very well with YBCR, combined with his flashcards, etc... so I wonder if anyone has had equal reading success with LR.

Thanks in advance for any comments -- these posts are extremely helpful!

[NadiaD]

You can browse the testimonial  section of the forum. All of them are from the forum members!
As for us :
With DD I started LR since she was  4.5 month, and I was adding many other programs. I was not very consistent, but nevertheless my DD could sight read couple hundred words.
The key to success with LR program to my opinion is to print out words from weekly word list and let child interact with them: making them into a book using binder folder, matching them to the pictures, playing peekaboo games...
That is what I am doing for my DS 9 month old. I am adding Reading Bear for him as well, he loves to watch  it together with his older sister and I really hope that it will help to crack him the phonics code!
I am not sure that I will be showing him YBCR. My problem is that if I show him any program, his sister wants to watch it too, but I do not want let her waste 30 min of screen time on the thing that she knows already...
So that is why we are sticking to LR and Reading Bear programs for learning and reviewing.

[Sharpie]

Oh thank you so much, I didn't even see the testimonials -- didn't scroll down far enough!

[Mandabplus3]

Hi sharpie!
Yep I am with them on the LR front. I used YBCR with one child age twoish. She learnt to read a few words, it wasnt a waste of money. Her reading exploded when she went to school, she learnt very very fast.
 I have done one month of LR with my boy just 4, already he knows a number of words and is clearly getting more reading exposure for our time spent. He won't watch YBCR cause apparently it's for babies he doesn't watch much TV ( who's Ben Ten mummy?) LR is so adaptable. You will use it for years...I am currently working on some times tables slides for my 8 year old to show my 4 year old   LOL! The testimonials are true it really does work. I understand why you ask.

[Sharpie]

Thanks for posting.  It's very encouraging to see that you had great success even when starting a little late like I am.

Well, as of yesterday, when I finally got the opportunity to download a lot of files that other people created (into the trial version)... I'm completely sold on Little Reader.

Jeesh, I first found this website when my son was an infant, while googling Doman.  For some odd reason though, I really wanted to be a Doman "purist".  Now in hindsight, I truly wish that I spent more time reading comments in the forums section on this website back then, because I would have been saved from the headache and heartache of trying and failing to create countless flashcards, and actually keep up with it.  I wish I bought LR way back then!! I am completely confident that he would be reading by now.

Thankfully, I have found Brillkids again after so much time has passed.  As it is, I have great hope that my son will be whizzing into high gear with LR, along with Reading Bear and Starfall, plus any other goodies out there that I'm not aware of yet.  He loves them all.  This morning I showed him a powertool presentation from LR that someone had created, and he wanted to see it over and over and over again!  And when watching the LR curriculum, he is fully engaged.  It's wonderful!

When I wrote my first post several days ago, I was greatly despaired (and very tired), and now after spending a lot of time reading posts here and asking gobs of questions, I feel absolutely rejuvenated and so excited about continuing to feed my little guy's insatiable thirst for learning.

You are all wonderful!

[Mandabplus3]

Keep reading! It gets better! Younwill be amazed at how little you know now when you look back in a years time! 

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