A lot depends on your definition of TV.  I really don't let my son watch any TV shows, but this doesn't include the DVD's from YBCR, language DVDs, tweedlewink DVDs, music lesson DVD's, etc.  I guess the point is that it all depends on the content.  I don't feel the current programming on TV, in general, is conducive to infant/toddler education.  That's why I'll stick with those DVD's in which I have some control over the content.

I have ordered the little pim dvds for french and spanish.  Prior to that i have been using the family circus dvd's for french and spanish made by the same organization that produces YBCR.  My son seems to really enjoy it and actually pays more attention to it than some of the YBCR videos.

One strategy I have tried with my son is to read to him while he's playing.  I'll notice that he'll look at the pages once in awhile, similar to how he will glance at the television when I'm playing YBCR.  But mostly he's absorbing the words at his own pace.  Of course, he'll also try to grab the book and turn pages, but I think this is also part of his learning.

I thought I would share this website as a resource for early learning.  It includes topics such as math, science, music etc.  Overall, it is quite inexpensive compared to many products out there and it really appears to target children well.

The link is:

http://kidsinglish.com/

There are free demos to view for those interested. 
(By the way, I have no financial or familial interest in this site.)

thank you for sharing!  a wide age range of topics for us parents.

I would also be interested in your technique of teaching.  I am considering a purchase of the Wink to Learn Chinese program.  Did you use something similar?

Signing is a great second language for any child. I started teaching my son sign later(25months) because he was speech delayed. However there are studies that say that signing helps children speak, it should not be looked at as "well they can sign why would they talk." It should be looked at the same way as crawling is to walking. Children want to communicate, and they soon learn that talking is more effective then signing. And if you child is one of the late talkers you gave them a tool to express themselves and avoid frustration and behavior issues.

I completely agree with this response regarding signing.  It is a great transition in communication and continues to help build the parent child relationship...as any interpersonal communication can!

where did you get the magnetic posterboard with magnetic letters?  that's a great idea!

thank you for the details of your program.  great job and congrats again!

I'm impressed.  Spelling at this age is extraordinary.  Congratulations

Remember that sight reading is not the same as reading phonetically.  Children who sight read recognize patterns, not each letter.  So the error of seeing "tiger" in "tug" actually is not that far off.  The next step in your child's education will consist of moving from "sight reading" to being able to decode words that he has never seen before.  This involves phonics.  The "guesses" that you're experiencing with your little one are completely normal.  I have been experiencing the same with my 3 y/o but she is definitely ahead of the learning curve when it comes to her sight reading level.  Our next task is the phonetics.  Hope that helps. 

Congratulations!  For our own education, when did you start the program and what kind of schedule did you follow?

Thanks,

Thank you for posting the link and files.  I've been concerned that the sight reading I am teaching will not be compatible with later phonetic learning.  I think using such programs as YBCR along with the phonograms would make a great combination for reading development.  Thanks again for the link.

thank you for the recommendation.  I'll need to navigate around a bit, but it sure looks helpful for teaching multiple languages to my son

Thank you for all the great information regarding this product.  The fact that Brillkids also supports this learning tool through its links and points program is also influential in our decision to purchase the product.  It certainly will also make me take a closer look at the other products Brillkids endorses.

Thanks again.