We’ve been using Your Baby Can Read, an early reading program from Dr. Bob Titzer, for a few months and can verify it does work if used as intended. Keep in mind, however, the program advocates whole language strategies to introduce site words. My background as an English teacher with a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction in Language and Literacy made me extremely curious about their claims of young children understating the written word at such young ages.
Now on Volume 2, not only is our two year old daughter able to easily read words such as “cup,” “ball,” or “drum,” but even our one year old son is starting to pick them up. When we show him the phrase “Arms Up” he actually lifts his arms in the air!
The success of YBCR hinges on viewing the DVDs twice a day as recommended; we have found showing them in the car to and from the sitter’s each day work well. We also use Lift-A-Flap books as a part of our bedtime reading routine. The program works but is only one of the many strategies we use to introduce reading in our house.Update (2010): Since we haven’t been using the program regularly the words elude our now two and four year old until we jump back on board. When critics of whole language worry YBCR is not developmentally appropriate or even damaging, my response is to point out this post does not intend to be a comprehensive educational outline of this or any early learning program. Instead I offer our own personal experiences with YBCR understanding phonics and other reading strategies are absolutely essential. We do not use the program exclusively as the kids’ only source of language and literacy development, and do not advocate for or against whole language or phonics but offer instead our own personal experiences. For us a balanced approach is best. We also use Dolch word lists, literature, and a variety of resources to introduce reading to our family.
Have you tried Your Baby Can Read? Let us know about your experience.
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