I second TeachingmyToddlers.  IPad is a better investment as long as you find a way to keep it protected from damages, and getting insurance on it might also be good.  The ipad can not only be used for your child, but yourself as well.

There are TONS of applications that the children loving playing that is either free, or VERY cheap compared to other "kids" gadgets where you need to buy cartridges etc.  You will be amazed how fast your baby can pick up and have fun using an iphone or ipad.  PLUS, I use keynote for words or story presentation for my son, you can buy keynote for ipad and do the same, so you can alternate your own home made slides with some of the educational and fun applications which can keep ur toddler busy.  OH and let's not forget that you can also play some of the learning DVD's by downloading them from itunes, so they can even watch that =)

This is exactly what I have been looking for.  Thanks!! =)

Kizudo, he is 25 months.  I checked out the thread and even though I like the idea, don't think it will work out for me.  I plan on making lots of books, and having it shipped her will be expensive.  I will stick to an idea suggested by someone about using magnetic album.  I thought it was such a great idea, I had just put one huge album out in a box for giveaway.. im pulling it out so I can use it's pages with a smaller album.. hehe...

Also, I liked your idea of the album flipbook.  I tried to follow it, don't know if it's me (its almost 3 am here) or I need to see images to understand it better, but if you can show some pictures of it, would really appreciate it.  Im thinking of using it for flashing words and couplets for him.  Really excited to try these out. =)

I have no tip whatsoever to give you, BUT wanted to let you know that I am doing a distance program for my BA and it is NOT easy.  Especially because I have a 2 year old and I have to take time away from him to get it done.  So I know what you mean when you feel guilty.  I have however planned ahead, since I make my own slides and books for him, and do that with him, and have him watch a little tv while I study or during his naps.  Also, my hubby helps take care of him when he comes home, so i can squeeze in my study then as well. 

I am actually really bad at managing all this, and even right now, instead of writing my paper, I came on here and am replying to your post 

Soo, I am going to be looking forward to some suggestions.  Just wanted to let you know you are not alone, and its difficult, but not impossible.

Good luck!!

Baba, so far, that is what I have been doing with him.  Since he loves animals, I have made some stories about my son going ot the zoo and seeing his favorite animals and what they are doing.  He LOVES it.  But I made those on Keynote(Powerpoint).  I wanted to make actual physical books, since he likes to read from other books.

Ann, I think you can start as soon as you have built up from single words, to couplets, to sentences.  OR you can even make a book of single words, as long as its, one page big red/or black words and then following is picture.  Like Baba suggested, initially having your family and child in the pictures will make the child want to read more and look through the book. 

I like Dr. Seuss books, and intend on using some words from the book to use it in flashcards first.  Then make a shorter version of his story on keynote, and then introduce his book, so then this way, my son, will know the words and get excited to be holding a book and reading somethign he is familiar with.  Just another suggestion. 

Oh and last bit, I got an idea from this book on Amazon.  They are a series actually by Kingfisher and there are several baby animals in various different settings.  Few of them include, Animal Babies Around the House, Animal Babies around the farm, etc.  What I liked about them was, it is filled with very descriptive, bright and real pictures of the animals, it gives a clue by showing picture of baby animal, then it shoes the baby with mother and names both, i.e. pig/ piglet.  That gave me an idea to make something similar for my son, and the pictures can be found easily online.  =)

Oh your welcome, and thanks for the feedback.  Im actually from NJ, and have been living in Bahrain for past 6.5 years.  It's a small island country, also known as Kingdom of Bahrain.  It's not bad, just small.  Majority of books here would be from UK, and the American ones are expensive.  I do keep a lookout for garage sales and what not to see if I can get lucky.  Until, then, ebay and amazon are my go to places for books. 

Kizudo, I live in Bahrain, and I was online right now searching for places I can buy books for real cheap.  Do they ship or is it only by going in and purchasing? I dont need them to ship it to bahrain, they can ship within US as well as  long as they do. 

Haha!  Thank you Annisis and Andreasro.  My son loves animals, so I ordered the National geographic encylopedia of animals and few other baby animal books, I plan on cutting the picture and gluing it on a bigger page and typing up the same story line or make up my own script of words to describe the animal or ask a question with clues or stories.  Since it's a home made book, i can remove the pages and change it around making it from one word to couplets to a sentence etc. using same pictures.   I love the idea of the library, and would only look into it for ideas.

Quick question,  Would the copyright law still apply if I buy the book, but then use its drawings and story line to recreate a doman style book? 

I started Doman method of reading with my son, when he was 18 months and did it on and off, and even stopping for almost 2 months.  We picked it up again and were consistent for 3 weeks. Then at age 25 months, he showed some early signs of him starting to recognize some words.  I was so thrilled when he could read the names of the animals ( he loves them) such as cat, dog, lion, giraffe etc.

I am now on a mission to spice up his reading activities so he can enjoy his reading sessions.  SOOO my questions is:

Has anyone tried to recreate any of the popular children's books by making own with bigger fonts? 
There are tons of excellent books, and my son loves them, mainly doe to the pictures, the words however are small.  So i ws thinking of cutting out the pictures and putting them on one page, while having a bigger printed page of the words preceding it. 

Any suggestions?

Wow Paddy,

Was looking for suggestions and feedback.. didn't think some people would take it so personally.

First, EVERY parent wants the BEST for their child, and would try to give them the best based on how much they CAN do and AFFORD. 

Second, being from the States and then having to live in a diff country, makes it much more difficult to get things done, and also makes one realize how much you have at your disposal when you are living in US, Canada, for example.

Third, I am not looking for my child to go to Havard or anything of that sort.  I am teaching him because he has shown he enjoys it.. if he wasn't interested, I would move on to what WOULD interest him.  Also, even though he would show signs of intelligence and that he is gifted, doesn't mean he can only achieve happiness through going to a top college and not just any college or even by not going to one.   
What I have said is to point out that it can go both ways, so please take it easy. 

Hi,

I am kinda stuck and hoping someone could advise me as to what they did to create flashcards and what I can do.

I live in Bahrain, and was looking to purchase a laminator for the actual physical flashcards.  A simple no brand cheap laminator will cost any where from 50 to 100 bucks. And a good quality one would probably be more. I am looking to purchase a laminator which is on sale on Amazon (Scotch) brand for only 20 Bucks! BUT here is the catch.  Since I live in Bahrain, Amazon doesn't ship here.  So I buy and get it shipped to Aramex (Shop and Ship) The total cost of a laminator (20) and 100 laminating sheets (15.36) + 1.77 tax = 37.12 from Amazon.  To ship it to Bahrain is an est. cost of 66.25 so the total is 107 USD.

Now, I found this self laminating sheets which will cost me total of 35.35 for 50 sheets.  Thats a total cost of both the laminator and 100 sheets combined, but not shipping to Bahrain.

I can purchase the laminator and sheets (35usd)  and have it mailed to my parents in NJ, and can bring it back with me when I visit them in summer.  So this way I can save up.   BUT i wont have it till the next 6 months or so.  AND if I buy the self laminating sheets (35.35) and then pick up the laminator when I visit the total cost will be 70 est. as compared to 107usd if I have the laminator and its sheets shipped directly to me. Phewww   

SOOOO.. What I wanted to know was, should I purchase the the self laminating paper  for now, or should I purchase a laminator and the sheets?   

I am sorry for going off on a rampage here.. just looking for advice   

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

Ok.  I have finally been able to download and use the trial version of Little Reader.

I have 2 questions regarding LR.

1)  Is there an option to change the kind of font I want to use and the size?

2) Is there a way to look into the curriculum for the 6 month and the 12 month, so i can decide which to get.  Even for the 6 month one, I do not know what I am getting and would really like to know where it goes up till and if I should just purchase 12 months (2 semesters).

If someone can pls list the curriculum for LR so I can get a better understanding of it, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

Thanks Kezia, that was very helpful.  Now to the parents who have used and are using LR, should I purchase a 6 month lesson or 12 month.  I am doing it the Doman way and so far, was doing a powerpoint type with my son, and come up with my own words/couplets and sentences and pictures s far.  But would like to know which one I should go for and why.

Thanks

Hi,

I am finally going to be purchasing Little Reader    since I have a way to use it.  So my questions to all you hardworking mommies is, should I get the basic or better to get delux?

From my understanding, the delux comes with flashcards, books and binders right?  Are the content and lesson plans the same for both.  I personally would prefer buying basic since it's cheaper AND because I have and can easily produce flashcards.  My son is more into watching words on computer or tv rather than flashcards anyway.  So what would you guys recommend? 

Also, is it worth getting Little Math.  I have been using Macbook Keynote (like Powerpoint) with my voice recording for numbers, and it seems to be working fine.  So would love to hear back from parents using the Little Math as well =)

Thank you in advance.

After spending about 5 hours, trying to install Paralles (trial version) to see if I can use that and try the trial version of Little Reader, I was left hopeless and annoyed.  Like I said I am not very tech savvy, but can follow advice based on diff forums.  Anyway with no luck and a lot of aggravation, I realized it's not worth upgrading based on one feedback and spending so much (esp since I have a budget) in order that Parallels can run on my computer and that doesn't even include purchasing the LR or LM yet.

Anyway, my hubby got home noticing how I was busy on the computer and frustrated at the same time.  After telling him what I was trying ot do, he advised me not to mess  around with my Macbook (too late) and that he has an extra laptop (windows) lying around in his office which I can use!!!
Oh Thank God!  Now with all that I have been through, I am really hoping that the Little Reader will live up to it's claim =) and most imp will be well received by my son.