@ Ouroboros1, I actually know exactly what you mean! I wrote a PSA on TV viewing and on doing research I saw a blog conversation about letting 3 year olds watch iCarly (pre-teen/tween/teeny bopper show) and snuggling up to watch that, and few of the several entries were against it, most were for it or other similar teen/tween shows. With our children watching shows like that (or excessive TV period), playing video games, and generally being handed the gift of educational under-stimulation and poor media overstimulation, do we really expect them to pick up a book and read? Rather parents such as ourselves are just "sapping" the life and "creativity" out of our little ones, the idiocy of such an idea astounds me. There is a general "fear of the unknown", but then again, several others choose to remain in ignorance and spouting off their negativity because of their own poorly masked attempts at covering up their own educational fallacies. I fully believe that you are supposed to want the best for your kids, so jumping down the throats of parents such as ourselves that are willing to put in the work somehow seems to justify their own inadequacies. I had an experience this weekend where someone made the "indirect" opinion of me needing to be in the house reading a book to my son (again, a poorly covered up attempt at them covering up their own inadequacies) well, my son reads books to me. Opinions are like bellybuttons, everyone has one. I refuse to keep being made to feel uncomfortable because I have put in work for my sons education.

Honestly,

I wanted my child to have a shot in the world. The bonding though a bonus was not my initial reasoning behind trying to educate my son at an early age. There are so many facts and figures about the American education system, that I feared for his future. Tell my why again we wait until five to begin  teaching children to read? My mom taught me before school (though she wasn't nearly as obsessed) and I always knew I would teach my son to some extent. Did I know how far I could take this initially? No, but I'm glad I did research and have forums such as this to teach and inform of all the wonderful things that we can teach our little ones, especially when so many important educational facets are being weeded out of our US curriculum. I'm also glad that I fostered a love for learning, which (I hope) will remain for him his entire life.

Well I supposed the "ashamed" part comes from the outsiders that see the very limited TV watching (and I do mean limited, Tweedle, Wink, and Sing to Learn is about it at the moment) then I'm not giving my son "freedom" to be a kid, and to "enjoy" kid things. He takes formal lessons for two instruments, and I'm "forcing" them on him. He reads to me every night, therefore I am taking away his coveted "playtime" (because there is no way he has "time" with his "busy" schedule playing). I started teaching him his currency which he has taken well to, but that is "too advanced" and I will "stifle" him, etc. And the ever so popular, he's too young to be in "real" school, just let him be a kid! I guess when the outsiders put it like that, I do feel like I should be ashamed, but then I remember whats on TV is primarily a waste of time, he loves his music lessons, he will throw a fit if he can't read to me, he adores the money song and learning about money, and all the lessons we do are under 10 minutes, most of which he'll ask for. And my form of punishment if he isn't behaving, I threaten to not take him to school, and he'll straighten right up. After the lunacy of remembering that yes, "the rest of the species has to catch up" , I also remember that my kid, and most kids love learning, but if we take that away from them at an early age, it doesn't make us better parents. The outsiders may not truly understand or just want to put you down for their own inadequacies, its not uncommon and in fact its a normal human reaction. Either way, some moments I feel ashamed, then the craziness passes, and I feel rather proud and happy of what my DH and I do.

Chris,
I couldn't see an exact date that the package deal ended, was curious when the offer was up. Also, we have a Korg with a MIDI connection, would that work with the software, since it's 88 keys?

Thanks,

RM

My son is taking private lessons for both violin and piano, and I knew I wanted to supplement with some sort of piano software (not quite sure which yet), is there anyone that is doing both, lessons and software? What are your thoughts? When I mentioned to the teacher that I was interested in supplementing with a software piano program his teacher was against it for at least another four months . I would just hate for my ds to not be as advanced as he potentially could be with a software program. And since I'm paying for lessons I would like for them to be worthwhile, and I don't plan on stopping formal teaching. Would me getting software anyway hinder his progress?


Thanks in advance.

@ Ezhik, it's good to prepare now just in case you don't have the most understanding support system, I sincerely hope you don't have to go through some of our experiences though.

@ Waterdreamer, that was incredibly out of line! I can't believe she would do that, yes educating our children takes some time, but I would much rather have some control of what he learns rather than let him fend for himself in front of the T.V.

We went to see the Pops Orchestra and my son was talking to several of the adults during intermission, and he started talking to one lady and she said, "you're too young to be in school and learning all that stuff" (he sang her a song in Chinese, spelled his name, told her he played violin, piano and flute) it became a negative experience as she talked about all the "pressure" he must be under. After which, he asked to sit on DH's lap so he could see the French Horn, and he announced to whoever listened that he wanted to learn to play. The moral of the story: our kids will do all we allow them to.

 Child-rearing is indeed very personal,which is why when people make the derogatory opinions and statements, it seems like a desperate attempt to elevate themselves or justify their actions, it's hurtful though. We do not brag, and we would never withhold information to someone who asked, but yes we want the best for our little one, and its nice to have found a place where that isn't looked down on.

He's ambidextrous and I continue to encourage it by his practicing his writing with both hands. Being both or using your non-dominant hand creates more neural pathways and since he plays piano I figured it couldn't hurt. 

Really? No imagination? Where do they come up with this stuff? I think the one of the best things we can instill in our children is simply a love of learning. My son will demand "learning time" if I haven't done lessons with him.He has been brought up thinking that there is a time for play and a time for learning, so its not something he would have to adjust to later on in life. I actually don't feel like I fit in either, but if thats what it takes for him to have a strong foundation then I'm fine with it.

You would think it would be a great thing, but all the negativity toward it is ridiculous...Especially when the assumption is you don't allow your kid to have a "life", lessons don't take long at all... At least we have a support system here.

Great article! It's nice to have research to back up what we're doing for our little ones.

Hey,

So many of you are so knowledgeable and are teaching your children so many great things! Does it become uncomfortable for you when you are in groups of parents that aren't as involved in their child's education or early education? I ask because at the school my son goes to which is a wonderful school, I feel almost embarrassed to talk about my son. His Chinese teacher asked if we were working with him at home because he was doing very well (he started at the school a month late), and his pronunciation was very good. Several parents were around and it raised even more questions when we answered yes. At the school, I believe a lot of the parents work with their children at home so they are rather encouraging, but with the parents outside I get comments about my son "doing too much", and being "too smart". I just thought that we wanted the best for our kids, and it becomes almost embarrassing to discuss all that my husband and I do at home with him because it seems taken (generally) in a negative light. No, I do not allow my son to sit around watching Sponge Bob all day (or any day for that matter), but its almost like I'm being made to feel wrong about that. I guess because I don't judge how others raise their kids, nor do I look down (unless abusive), I just expect the same respect. Anyone experience this?

...I didn't have a budget per se, but now he is in private school and does private lessons for both violin and piano, and I can't seem to stop buying him educational materials... This year excluding tuition I've spent roughly $3,000 thus far. But I'm going to buy a laminater and make it all last as long as possible! I definitely want to set one for next year though. 

I give my little guy loads of organic green tea and this high antioxidant supplement called Orac Super 7, as well as Emergen-C's.

Hi,
One resource that has both public and private school info is greatschools.org. My son is in a private school, and I'll admit I love it. Since public schools are by district, you may not have a choice in your childs school other than to move to a more affluent district. Another option is charter schools. You can research if there is one in your area. Generally, charter schools are free with better education, but the students are chosen (especially if it is very prominent) by lottery. Perhaps if you find one you can enter her in the lottery as often as they will allow you to at least have a chance at a charter school education.

Hope this helps!