I am not an expert on anything. But I am full of opinions
I am sure that repeatedly stressing your kid isn't good for them. We certainly don't want to cause frustration.
That being said, who is stressing their kids by playing learning games with them, or gently teaching them to read? If you want to see a happy baby, show him/her some dot cards.
It isn't the learning that's the problem it's the methods. Maybe a baby isn't ready to read starting with logic and reasoning and left brain techniques. Who would want to teach it that way if you can teach so much easier by flashing.
babies calling gotta go........

I think TW used to have a school, but it has closed. 
As far as I know, no Shichida.

My account says I have no purchases and my license keys have been deactivated for LR and LM. What in the world is going on???????????????????
I wasn't using LR or LM for a while after had my newborn son and now I can't!

Help!
I don't know what's going on here as I am very much out of the loop. I gave birth to my second child not long ago, and gave LR a break for a while.
When I tried to get back in the swing of things some weeks ago, my LR and LM had been deactivated. There can be no good reason for this, as I purchased a long time ago. I used with my daughter for about 2 years, I think.
I could tell you if the info on my account page was correct, however it is not. It shows that I have no purchases to date.
I am very perplexed and rather put out to be honest.
Please sort this problem out. I have very little time to be dealing with this sort of thing.
Thank you for your time and help in advance. I have always had good customer service with brillkids and remain hopeful that this situation will be corrected quickly.
This has been going on for some time, but I was exasperated and didn't feel I had the time to address it.
I assume the upgrade has something to do with the problem. I just need my license keys.
Please help. Sincerely, Erin Henas(MonkeynoseMomma)

Thanks for the replies

Is anybody else using RightStart Math? And if so what is your opinion/ experience with it?
 

Wow, what great ideas everybody has.
I just wanted to say that my daughter loves Right Start Math which is Montessori based. I find it super easy to use. the instructions are very clear.
We haven't spent a lot of time with it because of my slacking off and our current house remodeling. However my girl begs to "play math" since we got it. I think it is a real steal for the price.( around $110 new, I think).
Anyway it looks like there are plenty of good ideas to keep you and yours busy on this post. I definitely going to use some of them.
P. S. my girl is 31/2

I hope this helps. I found this review on safemama.com:


 Safe Play Room Flooring: What’s Best?
Filed Under Healthy Home, Product Safety, PVC Free | 15 Comments
15
ShareI get an email about those foam puzzle piece mats about once a week.  If you have emailed me recently about it and I didn’t respond it’s because I have been rolling this one around in my brain for a while and I don’t have a “best” case scenario to offer you.  But what I can do is talk about what they are made of and whether that fits into your definition of “safe”.  I will also provide some alternative suggestions in a variety of price points.

In general, MOST foam play flooring / mats are made with a material called EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) which is a foam rubber compound.  For a while now it has been viewed as a healthier alternative to PVC and the process of making it excludes the use of chlorine which can produce carcinogenic compounds called dioxins.  This is part of why PVC is something to avoid.  Healthy Child Healthy World discussed EVA in an article back in October of 2008, giving EVA the thumbs up as an alternative.

Despite the fact that EVA foam does emit an “off-gassing” type smell, I cannot find information to disprove EVA’s safety as a material for use with children.  Now, this doesn’t mean I am recommending you run out and buy them. There are three things to consider, I’ve discovered in my investigating:

1.PVC/Phthalates? Some companies who make these foam mats for kids will only go so far as to say that their product “meets the ASTM standards (American Standards for Toy Manufacturing) and are phthalate compliant.”  Step2 told one of our readers that “Some components that are used with our ‘Playmats’ may contain small traces of pvc.“  I don’t know if that means accessories or components of the mats themselves. But they will not go so far as to say they are phthalate free. I will be following up with them on this as soon as I get a moment to hop on the phone.
2.Microban. I’ve found a few brands of these play mats that boast they use Microban.  Let’s not forget my position on the use of Microban and the extreme disillusion it creates for parents and caregivers.  Microban does not protect your child from germs or illnesses, it protects the product from mildew and discoloration.  Microban also does not disclose what its made of so the possibility of its use of Triclosan is a possibility.  You can decide whether you want to avoid it or not.
3.Flame Retardants. Many of the EVA Foam flooring companies use EVA foam that has been treated with flame retardants.  Some have and some haven’t… this is where the information gets a little sketchy and I’m still trying to determine if it’s an issue for all EVA foam matting.  There is some suggestion that EVA Foam in its original state is inherently flame resistant.  What I can’t determine is whether the foam is treated in addition to that.  On the plus side, when EVA foam does burn it doesn’t have the same toxicity as PVC – no chlorine, dioxins, etc.  I’m still looking into this part.
So there you go.  I do believe EVA foam can be recycled and reused but it may be very tricky to find a place to bring it who’ll take it for recycling.  From an environmental standpoint, EVA isn’t going to save the planet.   So this one is up to you.

What Products Are Safe?
This is where your judgment as a consumer and a parent will come in to play.  I’ll provide you with a list of brands that I feel are acceptable as far as safety goes and I’ll give you a few more eco-friendly suggestions if that’s the direction you wish to go.

EVA Foam Options
Skip Hop Playspot Interlocking Foam Tiles – These claim to be PVC, Phthalate and BPA free and made of EVA.  They are cute, colorful and moderately stylish compared to most but they do come at a higher price.
One Step Ahead Wood Floor Foam Mats – According to One Step Ahead these are PVC and Phthalate free.  They look cool… but they do mention the off-gassing smell that I worry about.  They say in the description “Don’t worry its safe, we tested it” but we have all heard that before.  They make the traditional alphabet puzzle mats too. (Note: I emailed One Step Ahead to confirm the lack of PVC/Phthalates and was told that “Yes, the item meets all US Federal Laws and regulations and has passed all testing. and Yes they are free of PVC and Phthalates.“)
Soft Tiles Interlocking Foam Floor Mats – Made of EVA and website claims they do not use any phthalates or BPA.
Alternative Options
Wool Rugs – Wool is a safe choice (if you don’t have allergies to it) and eliminates the potential for off gassing carpet materials and padding.
FLOR Carpet Tiles – These are modular carpet tiles so its not permanent and you can move it when you need to.  They have stylish colors and patterns.  FLOR carpet tiles are made with renewable and recycled content and are recyclable.
Skip It – Save yourself some money and just properly child proof your home. Rhoost your sharp corners and gate off areas that are unsafe for baby and toddlers.  I’ve got 2 boys and never used any type of floor padding other than the area rugs we already have.  They get hurt more outside than anywhere else!
Have something to add? Tip? Let me know in the comments or via safemama [at] gmail.com!

Also I have read some articles in our kindermusik books that support the idea of musical training  increasing language acquisition of all kinds(native and foreign).

I don't know much about it, but on the flip side someone told me that more chinese-speaking people have perfect pitch than any other language group in the world because pitch is such an important part of the language and to say a word correctly one must employ the right pitch.
 A little off subject, I know, but I thought it was interesting.  

Hello Lappy,
I need some help also. This is very discouraging to me. I am pretty much "computer illiterate".
 I also upgraded to new version of Little Reader. I lost everything. I downloaded the courses I had from my purchases page, but I just can't seem to figure out how to get all my other downloads back. I can barely navigate around my computer.
We have had so much success and enjoyment with Little Reader, but everytime I try to upgrade, I have troubles. When I did the last upgrade, the same thing happened. I didn't know what to do so I painstakingly started to download all the same files all over again. Now I've lost them again.
I guess I am a fool for upgrading to this newest version when I don't know how to do this properly. I tried to backup and save my content last time, but I must not have done it properly.
I am about ready to give up. It takes so much time for me to try to figure this stuff out. I end up frustrated and grouchy. I don't want that to be the association my daughter has with little reader. She is asking for it, and then she sees me all in a muddle and stressed out.
Please help if you can

My daughter also hated tummy time so we didn't do much. Everyone told me," They all hate it, but it's necessary. I couldn't listen to her scream, so we just put her on her back, She could view everything and was much happier. She sat up, scooted, and walked early. She was running by 10 months.

Skylark,
Is there any special potty you use for your little bittys, or just put them on the big potty? Do you bring a travel potty with you in the car?
I am interested in EC for the baby I'm carrying. We didn't know of such a thing with my older girl, but it always seemed like I could tell when she needed to go, so I would just get ready to change her immediately because she hated being wet.
Once I suggested to my mom that I thought she could use the potty. My mom was very against it and said don't do it she too little. I second guessed myself and wondered if I seemeed like some crazy, pushy mom, even though I know I just wanted what is best for her.
I really think it could have worked though, and reading things like what you have written on this forum makes me wonder.
My girl went ahead and potty trained before age 1 anyway, but she developed such a dislike fro the feeling of poopy drawers that she tried not to poop at all, since she was about 3 months. This lasted untill she was could use the potty and even beyond. She hated it so, she just wouldn't go. It caused her a lot of physical distress and us a lot of emotional distress.
I think if she could have gone on the potty all along she wouldn't have had a problem with it.
Anyway I think it is really cool that you listened to your babies like this.

I do think it's alright to applaud a kid, though. My girl would as an infant learned to applaud herself for accomplishing something. I also tell her good job, too. I thinkthe matter is more about applauding her for something SHE wants to accomplish even if it doesn't seem "important" to us, than not applauding her at all. Be joyful in her joy, and proud in her sense of accomplishment.
I also think it's important to cheer kids on when they have done something we want to encourage, for example: using the potty. 

My girl likes a long meal with a lot of conversation, like the french. She enjoys talking and making up stories. 
I used to do some flashing at lunch, and would get more in if I did, but now I just try to get her to concentrate on the meal.
She loved it when we flashed, she would rather learn than do anything. However, she is very active, tall and thin. I call her my little beanpole.
So i put everything aside hoping she will eat more.
Now I just have to tell her," Less talking, more eating." Before, I felt Iike I was contributing to the problem.