i have just downloaded new LR and am in process of upgrading LM so i havent really seen the whole new look yet butI think the biggest positive change is the lesson plans. Almost everyone would have a hard time in keeping up with the daily lessons , and there are many forum discussions on this topic . this helps the Not-so -organised group to which i belong.

On the negative side , I do feel bad about the price hike. i was fortunate and had LR/LM before that but I think the price will deter a LOT of parents esp those who have to convert to USD.

 Quote from fatima786  "But I think the biggest influence is the parents' personal love for reading. Does the child see Mom, Dad, Grandpa, read? Is reading a value in the home reflected by accessibility to books? A parent or caregiver who demonstrates the joy of reading has the biggest influence on a child's reading ability and life-long interest in reading"

I completely agree with this, I personally think that the reason my child loves to read (though she doesn't "read" yet ) is because she sees her parents enjoy this. this is my first hand experience in the power of "joyousness". I also keep tons of books available at home within her easy reach . I add a new mix to it but have to keep certain staples in there like brown bear/Panda bear, melanie Watt etc.
 I am glad that her love of books is not limited to chldrens books and will gladly thumb through my magazines and yell out alphabets and numbers while in the grocery store.
 If you view reading a book as a chore or job or "education"  even, the child will pick on that and sense the emotion attached to it.
good topic, fatima786

Mine were "people "words too, family and her fave characters from books. I think I had read that from Doman method. WOW Khush, the ISP program really sounds great. i heard about it only through this forum and wish I had known it earlier .

wow, having these criteria makes it a lot easier to find a great quality file. this was one of the biggest reason for me to purchase LR.

How about having a poll option for :" have not tested". as I haven't really tested or speaking in Doman terms approached problem solving with my child.

That is sooo funny, but isnt that true too.Loved it.

Wow, you must be sooo proud, I am sure this is going to give you the extra boost which we often need when things are stagnating. This gave all of us here a boost too, thanks for sharing and yaay to your little one.

hahaha that is funny..geniusqarissa, glad to be of help!!!

I firmly believe in pursuing a hobby no matter what . I try to find that time whenever I can . my hobbies include reading , I favour fiction but my present faves are all non-fiction. I love to paint and create art over canvas (like semi-murals) or knit and gardening   , Also I like it when I vacuum , wierd but I think the 'repetition with goal' part of it appeals my OCD tendencies.

 I was wondering, what are your hobbies and how do you find time for it?

thank you everyone for your responses. Tanikit, I had forgotten about single words to be used even after introducing couplets, sentences etc. thanks for reminding me about that. Thank you ,trinity papa for your detailed explanation. And Anjie , as again inspired by you, I will  to quickly go on to couplets.

I was just curious , If you are following the Doman stages, which stage are you in? I had to stop and restart the program due to my work commitments and vacations. So I feel like I am stuck in step 1 forever? Anyone in couplets, phrases, sentences.

Heres the name of the book which has some ideas for montessori for infants, adapt it with your own toys: Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen

Luckymommy1307, Is it possible fo you to borrow these books from the library, just to skim.Especially the book I mentioned not, has some things which are good but I would not have purchased this book.
How to raise an amazing child the montessori way has good instructions if you are just starting, regarding environment, grace courtesy etc .
good luck
Hope that helps

thanks fo posting these. I will bookmark them for future use. KArma points to you

I had been signing with my child since she was about 1yr old and she knows the association between sign/word. But I still checked out Signing times VOl 1 from my library and she absolutely loves it. I havent seen BST but try and see if your library has them , so you can find out which helps her and buy that one.
I do not think , any age is too old to learn ASL. I am learning it with my child!!
If you want to limit TV, try teaching her to sign during your play time/ mealtime/ potty time/ bathing/ in the park. Let her learn in context, reinforce signs, make sure to read a good book about it beforehand.

I strongly recommend Maja Pitamics,Teach me to do it myself. It is really good, it tells about a basic activity and also gives you options if you want to ungrade the task. You can adjust some activites for small infants too, especially the sensory parts of it. The goals of these tasks when used with infants will be different than with toddlers but the activites can be adapted. Plus it has many worksheets at the back for use.

 For younger children, try reading , How to raise an amazing child the montessori way. It has some chapters devoted to the philosophy but if you read it , you will certainly get some ideas for young children.
I know of one more book I had read, but it had so many things which i would have to purchase from Montessori websites. I adapted it and found many toys which matched the actual toys. I will post ot once i find its name.