OK- He's not really, not technically anyway, not unless the clinical definition of a child genius is one who picks an enormous booger out of his nose and shows it to you saying "Look! A good one!" I think that's brilliant if you ask me.
Although not a genius, my son is extremely verbal and talks a lot. His language is well developed for his age (thank you day care) so I thought that the latest Parent Bloggers campaign Your Baby Can Read! would be entertaining (an educational DVD? Sign me up!) but might not be extremely educational. I was wrong (You see, I am not a genius.)
Based on the research of Robert C.Titzer, Ph.D., Your Baby Can Read! is the first video series in the world designed to help babies, toddlers, and preschoolers learn to read. Dr. Titzer's multi-sensory reading approach teaches children to recognize words using several senses at the same time. It's a unique approach which ffocuses on a combination of the whole language and phonics approach.
The video enables your child to see the words, hear the words, see images representing the meaning of the words, and then perform a physical activity related to the words. According to theories on brain development, this multi-sensory reading approach helps new synapses form among the visual, auditory, and somatosensory areas of the brain.
So my little man is not reading yet, and I don't know how exactly to get him to tell me if he thinks he's getting closer but regardless, I believe this set is doing nothing but helping him learn. What I appreciate most about it is the language that is repeated throughout the set. Phrasing questions such as "Can you say dog" mimics the every day language we use around the house and asking things like "Are you waving too? How many different colors do you see?" These are all important building blocks of communication, and with a toddler, every little bit helps.
I will never forget the day I was reading a book to my little man when he was, really little. The book was about elephants. I said "elephant" pointed to the picture in the book and then to the elephant toy on his exersaucer. I saw the light bulb go on when he made that connection. I can't speak for other families, but the fact that these videos present words along with pictures of objects has proven to be the most effective way deliver those ideas and concepts for us and this series is perfect for us.
Along with pictures of animals and other kids (which all kids love) the series is peppered with songs your kids know and love. The music is catchy and the DVD's are just long enough to keep your little ones entertained and keep them from tuning out and heading for the matchbox cars.
Baby Einstein- You've met your match!
