I'll be buying the Chinese LR for my twins, but I don't know which version will be more useful.  We live in the United States, and would like to buy the most appropriate LR.

Can anyone please help me?  Traditional or Simplified?  This will be their 4th language, but I want to make sure that it's as useful as possible.  Please help.

John

Wow,  That is an amazing achievement with your toddler.  I am so amazed at how well you are doing with early learning.  Your toddler is doing very well.  Keep up the good work.

John

I'm not sure if I started things off wrong but...

I started stimulation cards from 4 weeks to 11 weeks.

I started LR and LM at 11 weeks.  I also started swimming and breath control at 11 weeks.  I started sign language at 5 months (I think).  My wife and mother-in-law (who lives with us) speak Spanish; Therefore, they are learning multiple languages at an early age.

My twins are 34 weeks now and they are saying mama and dada  (I think they are imitating us but it is definitely mama and dada).  One of my children is signing dada.

Once again, I'm not sure if I started too early, but I feel things turned out.  I think you should start when you feel you are ready to make the commitment.  I personally feel your baby are ready.

If the Little Chinese is still available, please let me know.  PM me.

John

[Modified: Concerning the advertisement for YBCR and how the lady that said she didn't have to do a darn thing-- That is an advertisement only. Many companies will try to glorify their product in order to make it more appealing. This situation just happens to be a catch-22 for YBCR. The author should have already determined that out.]

Many of the above posts have great points to defend early learning.  Here is what I'd like to add:

There are some countries that reward the 'individual' for working extremely hard.  The rewards can be financial, promotional (Moving up the corporate ladder), or maybe even an accomplishment (inventing something, building something, or even improving the Worlds standard of living).  I feel that some of these people that are highly successful may put so much of their energy into work that they may be neglecting important issues (Such as leisure time, family time, personal time).  Today's society can be hectic, and this is the environment that many of the successful people are in all the time.  I personally wish that I could make a six figure salary and only work 20 hours a week.  I wish that I didn't have to put in the 80 hours/week on occasion just to satisfy my job requirements.  There are times when I can't relax because work and everyday stresses are over-running my mind.

In my profession, people come ask for a recommendation for something such as an ointment, something for pain, or even a supplement.  After I have enough information about they need, I'll offer suitable product of choice.  Several times a month, these same people will ask me to show them where the item is because they can't read.  Some of these people are uneducated and living on government entitlements.  They don't need to stress out because they know somebody will take care of them.  They don't have to worry about deadlines, accountability, or even success because they most likely have never had any aspirations in life.  Sometimes highly successful people have issues that a psychotherapist may be able to help with.  I would bet that all but a couple of this doctor's patients are in the successful group.  I would also bet that this doctor wouldn't be taking new patients if someone came along that didn't have the money to pay for psychotherapy.

I also believe that the school system in the U.S. has been a disappointment.  Teachers are more stressed out about students passing some state exam that will show that the school system is getting minimum requirement results rather than spending quality time correctly teaching the concepts and information.  If a student isn't getting the concept, then extra time should be invested in that student until they understand the material.

I personally feel that most (if not all) of parents that do early education do give the quality time that their child or children need.  I personally go out of my way to talk to my twins, cuddle with them, give them hugs and kisses (I personally tell them that each day I have 10,000 kisses for them.  If I use those kisses up, then I have 10,000 more kisses for that that same day). 
I do cause / effect with them, I do swimming lessons with them 3-5 times/weekly, Little Math, shichida, Little Reader, Sign language, English and Spanish lessons, and I give them personal time that I'm sure helps to build bonds with them that will last a lifetime.  I'll be focusing on emotional IQ somewhere around years 8-12.

Perhaps this psychotherapist needs to be asking more pertinent questions--  Like:  Why is it that some uneducated or undereducated people overcome their childhood deficiencies?  Why is it that some families are allowed to abuse their children, give them drugs, neglect them physically and emotionally without having to seek professional help.

I feel that this author would be out of a job if society wasn't so demanding for most of us.  I think if we all worked 20 hours a week and spent the extra time with families, this world would be a much better place.  This psychotherapist would probably be out of a job.

Modified:  Concerning the advertisement for YBCR and how the lady that said she didn't have to do a darn thing--  That is an advertisement only.  Many companies will try to glorify their product in order to make it more appealing.  This situation just happens to be a catch-22 for YBCR.  The author should have already determined that out.

My 2 cents!

I am looking for a program or flashcard system that can help improve photographic memory for my  30 week old twins.  I definitely remember several magazines that showed 2 pictures side by side.  One of them had very minor differences.  The object was to find all the subtle differences.  Has anyone seen a program that does exactly that?  Can anybody recall what magazines I might have seen those in (because I can't remember).  I'm trying to work on Right brain activities and help with memory recall.

Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

John

This is coming from a father, so my advise may not be what you are looking for.  I have no idea what your financial picture looks like, and I guess that does have something to say if you need a promotion or not.

Before my twins came along, I would work 70-80 hours a week.  After putting the wife to bed, I would read news (politics, etc...) and even play video games.  I was the sole bread winner in the house and my pay scale has allowed my family many benefits (11 cruises, time shares, traveling abroad, etc...).  Now that my twins were born, My priorities have completely changed.  I live for my boys.  My wife and boys are my everything!  I have no wish to work any extra hours.  I personally could care less about a promotion.  My wife is now working part-time, but our priorities are on the children.

I personally believe that if you are comfortable financially, you should enjoy what you have.  To me, the family unit in the U.S. is so strained in this day and age because women (mothers) have a greater emphasis on working.  I really believe that a strong family unit is much better than climbing the corporate ladder.  I grew up in a broken family, so I definitely know a thing or two about dysfunctional families.  When I think of my father, I always think of the song  "Cats in the cradle" by Kat Stevens or whoever that is.  It is my goal to strive to be the best father to my boys, so they will forever appreciate the bond that we have/had together while they are/were growing up.

My daily routine is:  LM (+ Shichida's 56 day program) + LR (English) + Some signing times video time for sign language at least once a day (but try to do morning and night).  My wife speaks Spanish, so there is also lots of Spanish speaking in the house.  On my days off and when I work the morning shifts, I always do a swimming lesson with my boys (1-1.5 hrs in the tub or swimming pool).  This is my personal joy; my personal reward for having children.

Ultimately, nobody can make the decision for you.  You'll do what you feel you need to do.  I personally would feel much better knowing that I spent quality time with my boys and raised them to be well mannered, well educated and have a high emotional I.Q., so that I will never have any regrets.  I hope my post is encouraging to you.  Good luck with your decision.

Trang,

I don't think it is ever too late.  It's just widely believed that children who learn math at an early age are better able to subitize (The ability to know how many dots there are without having to count them) when they see a picture with dots on it.  Starting now would be a great thing for your child.  Just don't expect the child to be able to subitize because Glenn Doman believes Children lose the ability to subitize sometime after the age of 3.  Any members please correct me if I'm wrong.

This is great advice.  I normally do each child separately (Usually takes 8-10 minutes for LM (+ Shichida) and LR.  I will definitely try some of those ideas.  Thank you.

For the poster that suggested speeding up the lessons....  I'm not sure how to speed up the whole session.  Is there a single option to change that will do that?
I know in the earlier days of LM, there was a woman's voice that was quite a bit faster than all the others.  I haven't heard that voice for a good 30-40 days though.

Thanks again for the posts and suggestions.

John

My twins are 29 weeks old now.  For the most part, they've been doing exceptionally well with Little Math (Doing Shichida at the same time) and Little reader.  They are currently on Semester 1; Day 114.  Both have begun to do anything and everything to look away from the computer screen when they are doing their lessons.  The majority of the time, they have had two sessions per day.  One session in the morning and the second session in the evening.  I'm not sure if I should try to finish out the last 16 days and give them a break, or if I should introduce them to semester 2 and hope that their interest picks back up.

Has anyone had these problems?  Does anyone have any advice that may help?  I haven't tried to test them (Don't think I could at 29 weeks anyways), but could they just be bored with the material because understand the concepts?

Should I give them a break before attempting to do semester 2?   1 Month? 2 months? 3 months?????

Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance,
John

Khatty,

Have you been using trigger words?  ie:  <Name of child>, ready, go!   ?
How big is the cup that you are using?  How fast do you pour it?  Can somebody watch the child's face as you pour the water?  Are they closing their eyes?  Are they opening their mouth?

In the past, how long were you able to pour the water without your child ingesting water?  Are there distractions going on while you are doing the swimming lesson?  I found that if my babies aren't paying attention to me, they are more apt to take in water.

Perhaps it's just a minor issue and things will get better very soon.  I'll be crossing my fingers for you!

John

Hello everyone!

My twins are almost 7 months old now, and they continue to do the swim lessons in the bathtub and the occasional swimming pool.  My family and I went on vacation last month, so we were staying in quite a few hotels.  I was extremely impressed with how well both my babies did.  They are totally relaxed in the water, enjoy splashing their hands on the surface of the water, and they did extremely well when I took them under the water.  The bathtub has been a great opportunity to improve their breath control.  One child can hold his breath for about 6 seconds, and the other a touch over 5 seconds.

Like a previous poster, I found that I my twins have regressed a little bit with breath control.  I've had to shorten the amount of time they need to hold their breath because they were ingesting water a little too often.  Tonight was actually a great session for both.  I dialed into their comfort zones with how long they can hold their breath without ingesting any water, and repeatedly used the time to condition them.  They never get tired of being in the water.  I've been teaching both of them how to hold onto the rim of the bathtub to increase there independence. 

My next goal is to start working on back floating.  From what I've researched, this is going to be a bit challenging.
Unfortunately for me, there are no swimming schools within 100 miles of where we live.  there is a YMCA close by, but the water is a little too cool.  One of my babies arms begin to turn bluish purple after about 15 minutes, so we usually have to get out shortly after.

If anyone would like to check out some good websites that have great information, the links will be below.

http://www.youtube.com/user/worldwideswimschool
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/N5BYK0JzbOE&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/N5BYK0JzbOE&rel=1</a>

and another website from Australia:
http://www.uswim.com/submersions

I hope people find this useful.  Enjoy and take care.

PS.  Thank you TeachingmyToddlers for your response.

HSMummy,

What is happening with your child is horrible.  I find it difficult to understand how a school can be so rigid and inflexible when it comes to a childs education.  Illiteracy is a problem here in the U.S., and I feel this school is not working with your daughters skills in reading.  Is homeschooling an option for you?  Have you looked into the Montessori method?  From my understanding, the montessori school system allows children to move at their own pace.  Since your child is reading at an advanced level compared to her age, montessori would allow her to continue at that pace.  She would be encouraged to read at her comfort level.

Your child is gift!  Please don't give into that school.

Hi.

Those two activities seem to come with a requirement for some physical fitness and maturity.  I'm also not sure this is the website that would be best for finding opinions that would say now it a good time or to wait for the child to become a little older.  Have you searched any sites that are specific for sailing or motorbiking?  Would there be any physical requirement to be on a boat sailing?  If not and your child is only a passenger, I wouldn't think there would be a minimum age.  That is as long as follow the safety precautions for sailing (ie. life vest, etc...)  Motorbiking implies there is a motor involved.  I'm not sure that is safe for child who is so young.  There must be some good forums or blogs for sailing and motorbiking that must have some useful information for you.

That's only my 2 cents.  not sure if any of this is helpful for you.

This link is not for BIOLOGY.  Not sure if this is a mistake or not.

It's about guitar sounds.

Original poster--  Please delete this post if you did it by mistake.