Sort of a spin-off to the flashcards and learning posts...

First, I want to say that I am not pro or con flashcards, etc. I am looking for genuine opinions/facts...whatever it is.

My DH and I are both teachers; between us we have 5 degrees--he's also brilliant So we're definitely intellectually-minded and hope our children are the same. He bought me the book How to Teach Your Baby to Read last Christmas. A year later I sort of started getting around to reading it. I made a few flashcards, but haven't seen it through and am unsure whether I will...so my main question...

What do you see as the benefit to this type of learning at such a young age?

ETA...and if you don't think it's of any real benefit, why not?

Message edited 2/11/2008 4:21:44 PM.

Re: Sort of a spin-off to the flashcards and learning posts...

I think it builds a self confidence that the kid takes to school.

other then that, I have a dyslexic MIL and DH...I want to stay ontop of the game and be on the lookout for any early signs.

on the other hand, I think a healthy body is more important at this age. Proper diet and exercise, fresh air.

Re: Sort of a spin-off to the flashcards and learning posts...

I'm not going to say that flash cards are bad, but I know that I do not learn well from that method, and DS has been taking after me in almost every way, so we haven't even tried that method with him. We use more of an immersion method, and just let him take the lead. He has been reading since he was about 3, and now that he's almost 5, he's reading at around a 2nd or 3rd grade level. I think every DC is different, and not all DC will learn that way. It's not bad trying it, just don't force it.

Re: Sort of a spin-off to the flashcards and learning posts...

I never thought about using them this early. I do think it depends on the child, though. Nate hates the drill-like method of teaching. He just gets annoyed and frustrated.

Re: Sort of a spin-off to the flashcards and learning posts...

I can't stand using drill methods when I work with kids- so I don't plan on doing it with DD.

Personally, I feel that just talking and labeling objects/items during personal interactions (especially while reading stories) are way more conducive to learning than flashcards.

It's scary how much we try to cram into their little heads before they even start preschool.... I don't blame the parents at all- the curriculum expected of these little ones is pretty demanding at the pre-k and K level..

Re: Sort of a spin-off to the flashcards and learning posts...

I have Baby Einstein flashcards that we play with. He loves looking at them because he gets all proud when he names the picture on the card. But I didn't teach him from the flashcards. He just knew them from books or experiences.

As a teacher, I think that varied life experiences (zoos, museums, park, vacations etc), lots of talking and reading plenty of books starts a child off on the right foot.

Re: Sort of a spin-off to the flashcards and learning posts...

I think drill methods, such as flashcards, make learning seem like a chore. I would hate to deaden the experience to anyone at such a tender age. Also, I frankly wonder if kids really learn by looking at a flash card. Do they understand what a red circle is and can they identify one elsewhere in the world, or have they just memorized that flash card? I would be much more thrilled if my baby/young child could eventually point out a red circle in real life than repeat what is on a card.

The book "The Scientist in the Crib" makes the point that babies learn best through life experience and spontaneous moments that provide an opportunity for learning. Babies have years ahead of them for memorization and forced learning, I really don't think it's beneficial to force this on them now.