A four year old reading – Yay!
I met a 4 year old the other day who was writing and reading words that my 7 year old just started with this year. Not hard words: top, bed, Ned, Ted, etc. I asked her mother if she was in a “highly intensive phonics program”. Just a joke, but I do know that some kids that young are. (Now let’s not judge my 7 year old (or me), she is doing great she just got a later start than this 4 year old, and she does know these words now :)
Leapfrog, she said. Not a game on the Leapster, but Leap Frog Learning DVD’s. And best of all the Mom says the story line is really cute and fun to watch. It’s always a good thing when Mom is entertained right along with the child. I wouldn’t promote pushing learning on our young children, but if they love the movie and it is teaching them then go for it.
Today I strolled on over to the Leap Frog website and found a ton of great resources for children all the way up to 10 years old. Not much for those ages 8 and up but there are some resources for them too. Until now I never knew about anything but the Leapsters and by the time I knew about them my children already owned Nintendo DS’s so I didn’t look into them. I’ve learned that age ranges on products can be taken with a grain of salt. I think my 7 year old will probably enjoy the Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park DVD even though it’s for ages 2-5 years. She loves school and if I market it to her as a school movie she’ll be all for it. If I’m wrong I’m wrong. That’s why I’m going to try to find them at the library first.
Over the years I’ve changed my parenting/homeschooling philosophy a bit, I’ve relaxed some. I never would have recommended this at the beginning of my homeschooling journey. I am an idealist in my own way : No TV , tons of parental involvement, a “better late than early” educational philosophy and “I can teach them everything they need with the library and a Bible.” I haven’t changed all that much, but I would definitely have popped in a Leap Frog DVD if I knew then what I know now.
I now know that life gets busier. That waiting to teach children reading and math means that when life is busy with more kids in various stages of life Mommy just doesn’ t have as much time to teach the reading (and math). If my children had a headstart it would take less time for us now. Letting them watch an educational DVD every now and then wouldn’t have killed them, it would have given them a little jumpstart. I know that when they are older they learn concepts more quickly, but it still takes time and effort on the part of the child and teacher (in this case I’m the teacher).
This is one area where I will start listening to my Mommy-wisdom, looking at MY circumstances, and putting down the advice books. Oh, and let’s not forget following my husband’s leading however that leading is done. For me, if I face the facts, I know that my husband does not now and never did have any problems with television viewing for himself or the children. Sure, he never said, “Hey, Why don’t you get the kids a bunch of educational DVD’s?” But I do know his relaxed attitude about TV, I could have chilled out and let it rub off on me. It’s taken 12 years, but I think I got it. I am stubborn.
Would educational DVD’s fit into your families life and do you need them to help you keep your sanity? If they are watching TV anyway, why not see if they like something educational?