thanks GloriaD!  I'm going to get it for DS -- a stocking stuffer for Christmas!

Hi Lori!

I hope you're not too stressed out about the lack of interest your 2.5 DD is showing toward reading these days!  We've had similar moments in our household too, which are offset by the days when we aren't able to squeeze in ALL the books DS wants to read before bedtime!  DS, who is now 4, began "reading" around the same age as you DD -- I have to say there are still days when reading doesn't make it onto the short version of the "to do list".  But overall, DS loves reading.
Enjoy the times when you "get" to read to DD, though she's not reading she is getting "something" out of it, zero pressure, quality snuggle & story time with mom.  Perhaps it is during your DD's reading break, that other activities may be introduced & will be readily received (eg. simple crafts, exposure to music & dance -- dancing around the house to some fun music...)   
Take care & happy reading!

In our home, YBCR DVD's are always enjoyed when played, as are the Tweedlewink & Little Pim (french, spanish & mandarin) DVD's.  Our 20 month old DD loves the Trebellina video but I think our 4 y.o. DS seems to have "outgrown" it.  I'm always looking for quality educational DVD's since our kids do not watch much regular TV programs.  I'm looking forward to adding Tweedlewink DVD #7 to our collection (perhaps a stocking stuffer for Christmas)  -- we do watch the occasional Thomas the Tank Engine or Curious George videos, as a "treat"

Thanks Lappy, I just purchased the dvd #7 with TWO discounts:  $10 off introductory rate PLUS the LR discount  15% !!   great savings !! 

Highly recommended to everyone!


Gloria

I am interested in purchasing DVD#7, our kids have enjoyed the first six, what is your opinion of the newly released DVD?  Any input would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

Thank you for the link!  Our 20 month old loves it

My main reason for mentioning this story is that this WAS our alternative.  I already knew that she was not going to fit in public schools, at least until she gets older anyway.  From this experience I realized that I am supposed to homeschool my daughter, as it is just an extension of the activities I've been doing with her since she was a baby.  My daughter has a love and curiosity for learning that I will not allow to be squelched by any school, public or private.  If that means I have to homeschool her (and I am thankful I have that option!), then I gladly accept the responsibility. 

thank you very much Karianne!  your post clearly put into words what I've been thinking about for awhile!!!!  DS will begin preschool in the fall at a private school, I'm anxious to see what his experience will be...

Congratulations!  Isn't it exciting to see our children learning?  Here's to a lifetime of enjoying the learning process!

I don't mean to sound like an infomercial, but we love the Pimsleur dvds.  We purchased Mandarin, French & Spanish sets, our 3.5 yo & 15 month old enjoy watching all of them.  Neither hubby or myself speak Mandarin or Spanish, but our 3.5 yo is quickly picking up the vocabulary teaching us !  Thankfully I have a strong background in French, so practicing w/ DS has been fun ever since he began watching the French dvd set.  We're hoping that the Pimsleur dvd's will expand beyond "Volume 3".

"I do not tell anyone (her grandparents know to some extent but that is all) that I am teaching her to read or do anything else as they just don't understand and if people close to the family won't understand then how will perfect strangers on the internet?"

Wow, I thought I was the only one teaching my kids to read in "secret"! 
I've heard my share of negativity on this issue, interestingly it mostly comes from folks that I know who are in the field of Education!  Their main reasons for discouraging any "learning" before the child begins school -- kids will be bored by the time they start school & kids shouldn't be robbed of their childhood, they should be allowed to "just play". 

In any case, I think it is very possible to have fun with our kids, exposing them to languages, numbers, music, etc. -- "play with a purpose", there are alot of books on the very topic...As long as there's zero pressure imposed on them, I think the best gift we can impart to our kids is the enthusiasm, confidence & enjoyment of learning for a lifetime.
I have to admit, we started the YBCR vids when our ds was 4 months old -- he was a preemie, born at 32 wks...we had the concern that he may have a difficult time in school & we hoped he would at least be academically on par with his peers.  To date, we've made no effort to share our "news" that our ds who is 3.5, has been "really" reading well before his 3rd bday.  DS loves to play with his trains & building blocks and he loves to read about trains & constructing buildings
As for being bored when he begins school, that is something I'll be watching for and if it becomes an issue, then other schooling alternatives will be explored...
I really hope that those who posted on this topic won't feel discouraged from the negativity they've encountered!  There will always be those who look down on the issue of early learning, no matter how many reasons they're given on the advantages of our efforts.  Know that you're doing great with your kids -- definitely enjoy your time with your little ones!

hooorah, I FINALLy figured out how to access the Semester 1 Curriculum.  It took me forever, I thought I was completely missing something / not just understanding the instructions...what I did was probably listed above, but here are the 4 steps I used to access the curriculum -- hope this helps fill your "Courses" folder!

Go to:

1.  Account management
2.  Software Systems
3. Click on the red ball icon "3" (content)
4.  Scroll down to the "Download" icon

really great way to expose your little one to words & colours & shapes, etc.!!! now i'm inspired to do something similar.  thank you

i think we're cut from the same cloth purplefungi!  i completely agree w/ you -- i'm the same way, not keen on bragging about the knowledge & skills my 3 yo has acquired thus far...our motivation for exposing our child to the world of early learning is not to put him in the "spotlight", but hopefully to equip him w/ the skills and knowledge to allow him to reach his full potential as he gets older.  i too prefer to sit back and let other parents do all the talking & bragging about their kids, i find i learn more from listening

i truly appreciate this discussion on time management, thanks everyone!  it's exciting to see fresh perspectives and approaches as we all try our best to make the most of our days with our little ones, inspiring them and having fun!

when we first started using the ybcr dvd's when our little one was 6 months old, we didn't use any other products though we did "read" books to him, lots of books!  Our little one is now 3.5 yo and he's an avid reader, reading anything he can get his hands on -- books of 2nd & 3rd grade level, magazines, recipes, ingredients on food labels, the mail...anything!  As long as the products are fun & your little one is exposed to lots of words ifrom a variety of settings, I think you're doing just fine  

Hello!  I'm requesting an extension for our Little Reader program -- a wonderful program!  My son enjoys it sooooo much.  Thank you in advance.