I haven't used it, but I do know that children can be taught to sing with perfect pitch.  It looks like a neat program, if perhaps a bit pricey.  I have seen different programs that use color coding like those stickers, and it works great.  The problem with stickers is that it's hard to clean them off the keys, and can be distracting.  I have made a homemade chart similar to this product

http://www.pianoforpreschoolers.com/index.html

with my piano students, and they do very well with it.  With a chart like that, you can take it off and put it on without dealing with stickers.  I will look into this program more, I'm curious to see what they do with the balls.  The Orff and Kodaly methods are my favorite for very young children, but I'm always looking for more.

I was homeschooled and I made it into college just fine.  Noone ever asked for references, but we were prepared with church youth leaders, 4-H leaders, and music instructors.  Some had written letters of recommendation for scholarship applications too.  I was admitted on my ACT score alone.
As far as socialization goes, my dad always joked, "Well, we're not socialists, so we're not worried about it."  You have to know your audience before you say a thing like that though.  He didn't share his pet joke with everyone.

The Kodaly method used in Hungary also uses solfege and begins the children very early.  The method isn't used very much in the US, but there are many children's choirs who have directors who have had Kodaly training, and they teach solfedge.  Also look for Orff and Dalcroze.  I am a true believer in solfege.  I wasn't taught solfege until I was a music major in college, and it has made a big difference for me.  I really wish I had learned earlier, and I recommend this training for your children if you can find it.  Most music majors are required to learn solfege, but the competence varies from university and professors, and the retention/skill level of the individual REALLY varies.  Many music majors hate aural skills and leave it behind as soon as they pass the class, which is unfortunate, because it can be taught to children in much more engaging ways than it is taught at the university level.

I would love a copy too!

Definitely!  We love our ladder.  My husband recently wrote an article about how to build one here.

http://www.professional-mothering.com/make-a-brachiation-ladder.html

It's smaller than Doman's ladder, but it is plenty big for a toddler.  We will be building a larger one when he gets older, and keep this one for our younger children.

I have seen this product and am interested in it;

http://www.timberdoodle.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=programming&Search.x=0&Search.y=0

My husband is a web developer, and he says that he hasn't heard of this computer language, but that it looks like it is a very simple one, one kids could grasp and learn from, but not one that is used very much in the real world.  But to be a competent programmer, you need to know several programming languages.  I will look into this more when my 2 year old is older.  Good luck!

I suppose I'm one of the parents who simply have a low shelf, mirror, and kid sized furniture for my children.  The biggest thing I don't like about Montessori's philosophies is that she was a socialist.  Just be aware of that.  I picked that up when I read "The Absorbent Mind".  I love the Montessory tools and I think that she has a lot to offer, so like others on the forum, I say take what you want and leave the rest.

I really wouldn't hire a private voice coach at this age.  It's not about being mentally prepared, but physically children aren't up to the demands of private lessons.  Children's choirs are great because they don't push the voice as hard as private lessons do, and a good teacher will spread the activities out so they're not singing the whole time.  I really like the Kodaly method for children's singing.  There is actually a book called "The Kodaly Method" (pronounced Koh-die) by Lois Choksy which is very excellent, and would give you all the information you need to teach your children at home, including a list of songs the sequentially follow the method at the back.  My book is 15 years old, you wouldn't have to buy the newest edition, or you can see if the local university has it.  Children in Hungary, where the method is used in the public schools, often begin with this method when they're three in the nursery schools, so it's developmentally appropriate.  Also, for a child who loves to sing, learning an instrument is very beneficial.  I always loved singing growing up, but I only had piano and violin lessons.  I had my first vocal lesson in college, where I majored in vocal performance.  It didn't matter that I hadn't had voice lessons because I had such a solid foundation from choir, piano, and violin.  I hope this helps.

Hello everyone, my name is Tamsyn and I'm new here.  I've been an active member of [email protected] for over a year and decided it's time to join this group as well.  I've read most of Doman's books and love learning with my toddler.