Why Teach Reading Early?

[Maddy]

As many of you know, we have an article dedicated to the topic Why Teach Reading Early? on BrillBaby:
http://www.brillbaby.com/teach-baby/why-teach-reading-early.php

Well, back in June I wrote a post on my blog, entitled The Pros and Cons of Baby Education, in which I embedded the now-famous video of 17-month-old Elizabeth Barrett reading on the Today Show.

The most amazing thing is that Elizabeth's parents never taught her to read. All they did - apart from talk to her, read to her and do all the "normal" things parents do - was teach her sign language as a baby, and let her watch the program Signing Time. Elizabeth is one unusually gifted child.

Then, yesterday, I received a comment on my blog from Katy Barrett, Elizabeth's mother! The thing is that Katy is against teaching babies to read. She also stresses that she would not like parents to put unreasonable expectations on their children by expecting them to be like Elizabeth. (I don't think any of us does!)

You can read my blog post here: http://brillbaby.com/blog/?p=31

This is what Katy wrote:

While we are happy to encourage all parents to read and interact with their children, WE DO NOT SUPPORT OR ENDORSE THIS OR ANY OTHER PROGRAM which claims to teach all babies to read. Elizabeth has some special capacities for learning which extend far beyond only reading. It is not fair to hold every child to such a standard. Further, we are skeptical of any program which deconstructs language/reading to a point which may sacrifice comprehension or, simply, the joy of bonding through books.

We’re not trying to undermine the efforts here, but we are understandably leary of any site which uses our daughter’s image to promote and sell products.

Here's what I wrote in response:

Hi Katy, great to have you with us! Congrats on your exceptional little girl. I'm sorry that you feel we are using her to promote our product. Actually this post is about the DEBATE surrounding early learning, and in particular early reading instruction. That's why I didn't mention any actual products in it.

I agree that it is exceptionally rare for a 17-month-old to be able to read phonetically without ever having been taught. But it is becoming less and less rare for children under the age of two to be able to read phonetically (sounding out words they've never seen before). It's just that getting there normally requires teaching. (Is it a good idea for parents to teach their baby? Depends on your point of view - and that's why there's a debate!)

As for sacrificing comprehension while teaching reading, I guess you are referring to Glenn Doman-style flash cards. We mention this type of teaching on BrillBaby, which aims to be a comprehensive source of information on everything to do with early learning. However, our own software product (Little Reader) and certain DVD products (not by us) DO teach the meanings of words. More importantly, children have a lot of fun using LR - and bonding with their parents in the process! Feel free to take a look at the testimonials on BrillKids.

I ended by inviting her to join the forum... so who knows? We might even hear from her on this thread!

In the meantime, what do you guys think?

Maddy

[KL]

Katy was kind enough to reply! Here's what she said:

#  Katy Barrett Says:
November 12th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

Hey, Maddy. I actually think this is a wonderful site and forum for discussion. I’m sure you’ll understand that we have had to issue a “blanket statement” due to the volume of sites that have used Elizabeth’s story in various degrees of self-promotion. Sorry if it sounds terse. We appreciate your take on the situation, actually, and the care with which you present information. In your case, I think you guys have a lot to offer, and I wish you much success. It is just important to us to protect Elizabeth (and our message) as best we can. We try to comment whenever we see her picture pop up, just to avoid any confusion. The blogging world is still foreign to me, and since this (our child) is such a sensitive subject, it may be awhile before I can join any discussions. I will certainly bookmark Brillbaby. Thank you for the message and the site.

Katy, if you read this, thanks very much for your reply!  We hope to see you on the Forum some time.  In the meantime, all the best to you, Elizabeth and family.

The subject of teaching babies to read (as well as the entire early learning concept) is a controversial one.  Whether we agree on these subjects or not, I think one thing that we all agree is that we all want what is best for our children!  And to that end, we here at BrillKids always keep our minds open, even to ideas or findings that contradict what we believe.  Therefore, we really hope we can get diverse opinions here, not just from those who are pro-teaching.  We all want to know as much as we can so we can get a well-informed opinion, for the sake of our children!

[Aman Priye]

the child should not be stressed much to to things. but at the same time child has the more learning power than adults. and to read early is an easier task than to write. to utilise the childs full ability its better to teach reading early

[myparentinglove]

The right brain of a child is wide open from 0-6 years. All child below that age uses his right brain than left. The ability of right brain is never question as you can see a child can learn a new Language/or skill in very short time. Most adult does not have this ability to learn a new language in such a short time without understanding and explanation. Before the bridging process happen when a child cross over to think more using his left brain, all things is possible. Start showing cards, games, stimulation and activities that involve your child. He will increase he brain capacity and learning ability. Less effort you need to spend for him at the later year because he is fast learner. Start doing it as early as 1 year old and by 2 1/2 I can assure you he will know how to read.

Steven Yap
www.myparentinglove.com

[nhockaday]

Very well said, Steven.

[ksomom]

Okay, I'm very new to all of this, so my opinion doesn't really hold a lot of weight on this topic.  Nonetheless, I felt compelled to reply simply to say that I believe in a balanced approach of providing opportunity, encouraging interests, and engaging little minds in whatever ways works for them.  I don't think that exposure to learning at an early age is detrimental at all, unless it's taken to an extreme perhaps.  Again, I'm not well versed on the topic, so this is just my humble view thus far.  I'm excited to learn more, so that my child can too!

[jackie0109]

It is a challenge to teach the children at their early age . At the age of two, you need to give them flashcards , books with colored pictures and story book. Through that they learned to identify object and at the age four that is the start of teaching them to read. They need them to identify numbers , alphabets and pronounciation. they need to teach them early as to learn and interact to others.

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