Dear Forsythia,

I was wondering what mixed opinions you heard about flashcards?

Thanks!
Noha

Dear KL,

I loved this article, but I still have a lingering question; some people say that teaching early harms the children not from the point of view that they would hate it later on but from the point of view that it will actually damage their brain development, or push them too early...

How true / false is that?

Noha

Dear KL and Lawrence,

Thanks so much for your replies! You guys listed so many other aspects to learn that I think maybe that's all there is

I agree to the importance of reading and math as building blocks to learning later on. But, I also still think that there are areas that are still untapped. I think maybe art is one of those fundementals that you would want to teach your child at an early age too! It teaches them to appreciate beuaty, to be creative, to be an individual and so on. These are all fundementals too, don't you think? And that's just an example !

I am so excited about this early learning concept and just want to apply it to different levels, not just the traditional "school subjects". Do you get my drift?

Noha

I was wondering, how frequent we should show kids the flashcards, and I found this on brillbaby:

"We recommend a playback of three times a day for each category lesson, with time intervals of about half an hour between each lesson.  There will be times when your child’s interest will vary during different days, and children react differently to different parts of the lesson.  It is important for you to monitor your child’s reactions and adjust accordingly.  DO NOT BORE YOUR CHILD – it is vital for you to make learning a fun and happy experience!"

I understand the second part, but the first confuses me...3 times a day for each category? as in 3 times letters category, 3 times vegetables, etc... each day? That's a very busy schedule, is that hpw it is supposed to be?

Or focus on 1 category each day and rotate?

I know it is according to the baby, but I just wanted to understand the guidline / recommendation, and see how others are doing this

Noha

Hi all

Here is a musing of mine; why is it that the focus in early learning is on math and reading? I am not being quizzical, just wondering

Why isn't there for example a focus on science? Because it comes through reading? What about hands-on experiments or equations (physics and chemistry) or so on? If the purpose of learning early is to make learning enjoyable, then why don't we extend that to all those other subjects out there?

What about teaching life skills or art and so on?

Or is it just reading and math as in letters and numbers, and then you can take it from there?

It just crossed my mind that there are a million other things we would want our kids to learn, so
1. I am wondering why the focus is on only two aspects
2. At the same time I am also wondering if there are other focuses out there
3. Also, I thought we could share together, what other parents think is worthy to teach their kids?

Would love to hear your feedback
Noha

Yup resolved for me too !! Thanks KL

Downloading and installing was great The only thing is that the website itself is really slow (opening the pages) although I have a fast connection (2G, DSL i think)... don't know if this is fixable

YES that is exactly what happens to me !!

It is a bit frustrating because I end up refreshing the page, then posting again and again, then not knowing if my post actually made it or not, or even if it was posted multiple times

I will try clicking on back after this post like you said and see, maybe that will help me

I suggest, instead of a white blank page, one that says your post has been added or sent

Regards
Noha

Dear all

Interesting answers !! Here's my feedback :

1. Just to put some perspective on this question; there are so many nationalities living here in Dubai, so for example Egyptians who have lived here all their lives talk in mixed sentences of English and Arabic when they are with friends no matter how young or old they are (they are fluent in both languages). This is eaxctly what I am talking about, I totally encourage the fluency part but not the mixing. Which is why I think this might be a good solution to try, like KL said:

The key to ensure this is to stick to one language at a time.  For example, you could declare Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to be English time, and you speak just in English, and the rest in Spanish.  Or at least keep the same language in short sessions throughout the day.
However, if I know my daughter understands a word in English, then I would quickly say the English word after the foreign word, and then the foreign word again, to link the 2 words.  The way I say it is quite obvious that I'm using English to explain the meaning of other words to her.  But apart from that, by and large, try to stick to one language at a time, and definitely don't mix up different languages within the same sentence! eg., "Look, this is a perro!".

I do understand that maybe as children they wouldn't know the difference between the two languages and thus mix them like Maddy and Lawerence said, but this is exactly what I am afraid of  This is where I want to step in and help them in distinguishing between them   :educated:

2. So basically it's trial and error then plus exposure, you guys are saying .... that is good to know:) Does anyone actually have an example of a child they have seen that is tri-lingual or something?

I agree with the fact that parents should speak in their native languages, but I was talking more about other languages that are not native to the parents anyway.

Thanks a lot for this great interaction guys!! much appreciated

Noha

You guys opened up a lot of possibilities for programs and research for me.

I am still new to this so I google every new thing I see

Thanks!!
Noha

Thanks a lot KL !!   

I seriously didn't know that LCD are better then the old screens health-wise!

Your answer was detailed and helped a lot in my making up my mind about this issue

Let's see how it goes when I actually have a baby

Noha

As for dual language, simultaneously exposing a child to 2 languages is not uncommon, and many bilingual families do that as a natural course.  Typically, it would be more in terms of exposure to the SOUND of the language, rather than the written word, but I don't see a problem with exposing your baby to more than one language for reading, though you may wish to focus more on the main language you want your child to be the most familiar with.

[EDITED to avoid confusion about when can we start using infant stimulation cards generally.]

This answered a BIG question I have...if it is OK to teach kids two different languages at the same time...

I have two related questions though,

1. How do you prevent them from mixing the two languages together, as in saying for example spanish and english words in the same sentence? What if you want them to speak both fluently but separately?

2. When is a good time to start teaching a third language? Schools usually start at Grade 1 here (around 6 years old)...is that the optimum? How much time generally should you leave between each new language?

The reason I am so concerned with this is taht multiple languages are such a great benefot to children and they are so much easier to learn and perfect while you are young, aren't they?

Thanks a million!
Love
Noha

 :whistle:

I have a general question which is not about Little reader in particular but it very much affects it

What is your opinion about kids and exposure to computer screens? Some people argue vehmently that children under the age of 2 shouldn't be exposed to screens of any kind, whether TV or computers....
there are millions of reasons and angles to it, just do a little search on google and you'll be overwhelmed... the thing is I beleive in this rule in general with regards to TV but am not sure yet about computers...

also I believe some well chosen educational programs and software could be beneficial but where do you draw the line? or at what age do you start?

Of course I am not talking about the concept of reading early, but only that of seating your child in front of the computer or tv screen...

opinions, anyone?

Hi everyone

My name is Noha and I am from Egypt. I just moved to UAE with my husband though last year, and we are planning on having a baby in the coming year God willing

I have teached in a weekend program for kids (teaching ethics mainly) for 5 years now, and love it. It is very challenging and rewarding at the same time Most of my knowledge about children comes from this experience, as well as the internet of course!

I am very interested in all subjects related to parenting, and raising exceptional kids, and I am looking forward to getting to know you all and learning from you

Love,
Noha