Has anyone used "Your Baby Can Read" program?

[MrsPinecone]

This was posted by one of the moms on my baby board, and I wholeheartedly agree:

I read an article that was a synopsis of several studies. (A legit journal article, not the column of the week in a parenting mag). Several studies done by prestigious universities have come to the same conclusion. When kids are taught in an organized fashion at a young age, such as using flash cards, etc., they are really impressive because they know so much when they enter kindergarten. They are leaps and bounds ahead of their peers and declared geniuses. But those same kids never develop a love of learning and they lose their natural curiosity. Very few early readers ever read for pleasure. (Unless of course, they are true prodigies and have learned to read early on their own, not due to flash cards or a set program).

By third grade, the kids who were not taught to read early have completely caught up and then even go on to pass the kids that were "taught" various skills from an early age. After third grade, when kids are expected to demonstrate problem solving, extrapolation, etc, the "forced" learners fall behind because they only know who to learn what is spoon fed to them--they have not developed critical thinking skills.

By far, the best way to give your child a headstart is by exposing them to everything possible and then stepping back while their natural curiosity takes over. Let them get really messy, or help them touch and hold items that you would not want them to be around if unsupervised.

Also, use play and games. Driving in the car is a GREAT way to teach your child things. Identifiying places by their signs is a great pre-reading skill. When your child learns that the red bullseye means it's a Target store, they have learned that a symbol can stand for an object or an idea. Play a game where you see how many signs you can identify (golden arches means french fries, etc.). That way you are teaching both HOW to learn as well as the skill (in this case pre-reading) instead of stupid party tricks that will impress the grandparents.

(I always feel really sorry for the 3 year olds on Jay Leno that can recite all the presidents in order--I always wonder what happens to them later in life)