Will you make the Same Mistake as Me? Your Baby Cannot Read
Your Baby Can Read – Early Literacy – Parenting.com.
We’re all looking for the perfect program or class to develop our latent baby Einsteins. Which is why the $199.95 Your Baby Can Read 5 DVD program (yourbabycanread.com) is so enticing — wouldn’t it be great if our babies were geniuses and could read?
Of course, implicit in the marketing is the assumption that our babies should read if we are to Keep Up with the Joneses, make our babies smarter, more athletic and genius artists.
Except, when I looked at child development research, I found that baby’s brain cells need time to grow and develop synapses. This happens with touch, stimulation, play, good nutrition, and that sort of thing. It takes time.
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The Your Baby Can Read creator, Titzer, claims on his website, “When children develop reading skills during their natural window of opportunity, from about birth to age four, they read better and are more likely to enjoy it.”. Not true says decades of research. Learning to read early means you learned to read early. It doesn’t mean that you are going to love reading.
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Here’s the other thing that bothered me about that overheard coffee shop conversation — Why? Why do we want our babies to read anyway? To beat out all the other kids?
We at Caribbean Tots to Teens, RE-ENFORCE and SUPPORT the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for discouraging ALL ELECTRONIC MEDIA under the age of 2 years. This includes television, DVDs and computer programmes/games. (see Link)
Learn MorePolicy Statement—Media Education ~American Academy of Pediatrics Sept 2010
There are numerous studies that demonstrate the dangers of over exposure to media for children. In this revised document from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) new research is brought o bear on the rapidly expanding problem of electronic media and child development.
Language delay, Obesity and Aggression are only a few of the developmental problems directly related to excessive exposure to media in childhood and adolescence.
Policy Statement—Media Education.
IMPORTANT TAKE HOME TIPS for parents include
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Toddlers under age 2 years SHOULD NOT Be using electronic media AT ALL. (special report)
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NO television, video games or electronic play (ePlay) devices should be in the child’s bedroom.
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Limit and focus time spent with electronic media: No more than 2 hours a day should be spent in ePlay; electronic entertainment for any child between 2 years and 16 years old. The TV should never be a babysitter.
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Be a good example to your children: let them see you engaging in other forms of entertainment. Make it a point for family discussion adventure.
Change involves the whole family and creative, consistent thought, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Healthy Lifestyle choices today build a Healthy Future for tomorrow.
Learn MoreBabies on Planes: Its War ~ ABC News
We all have horror stories of out-of-control toddlers on a plane. I for one believe that parents must engage and take control. 90% of the solution is in their hands (or glacial stares..) This is no time for a laid-back hands-off approach! I was surprized to see that pilots where actually removing families with tantrum-crazed toddlers from their flights. *wow* that’s serious!
Plan ahead: pack small new toys! This is important for distraction and capturing your little ones attention…but the bottom line is YOU the parent will be the entertainment and distraction all flight long.
This article from ABC news has some good tips for managing a child on a long and cramped plane ride. What have You found that really helps settle the young’uns on a plane ride? Please share your suggestions with us.
