When do you start teaching a child how to read?

[papal]

I was reading about 'Teach Your baby to Read' by Glenn Doman and in it they describe a way to use flashcards for a few seconds every day to teach a baby to read. There are also different videos etc for teaching a baby how to read (www.loveandlearning.com and www.yourbabycanread.com). I was thinking it is a bit excessive to start teaching babies to read so early. But then again they say that babies are like sponges at this age. I am not sure what to do.
Has anyone started teaching their babies to read? What program, if any, did you use?

Thanks!

[Karenn]

Well, on the one hand, I'd say I started teaching Colin to read very early on- from the minute I put a book in his hands. On the other hand, I don't plan to do any formal instruction with him for quite some time.

I do think babies are like sponges- they do soak up everything naturally, which is why we don't have to work too hard to expose them to the things that will be the building blocks for reading later in life. Lots and lots of research shows that the very best thing a parent can do to help their child learn to read is to simply read to them on a regular basis. This in and of itself teaches a child SO MUCH about reading, it's really pretty amazing. There will be plenty of time for formal instruction once he hits school age. Right now, I just want him to get excited about books and all the stories that they have to tell.

[deborah_r]

I agree. I think those "Your baby can read" things are just too much. I also saw a program where the guy who made those vidoes'flashcards agreed to meet with 2 children who had been watching his videos and using his flashcards since they were 6 months old. They were 3 or 4 now, I think. They couldn't identify any of the words that he wrote down, and they were the same words that were prominent in his videos and flashcards.

If it does work for a baby, I would think it is really that they are memorizing it, not that they are actually learning to read.

JMO

[Momof3Labs]

I agree, too. We read books to Colin all day long, and when he starts showing interest in the words on the pages, we'll start talking about them. My brother and I were both early readers (before kindergarten) using nothing more than this method, so I'm willing to go with it again!

[brubeck]

We have been reading to Amy since she was 6 months old (and a little before that) but it was only just after she turned 3 that she started the actual PROCESS of learning to read. In other words she learned hr name. She now can see the letters A M Y and she understands that it says her name. Before that she knew all her letters but didn't really understand why they were all over the place, KWIM?

So unless that's what you're trying to do with your child you aren't really getting them to read. I suspect a love of books (coming from regular reading) is sufficient.

[redhookmom]

I read to my kids as much as I can. I believe developing a love of reading and books is the best thing that I can do.

If they ask, prior to going to school, how to read I will teach them.