Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site cbosgd.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!harpo!eagle!mhuxl!cbosgd!ksh
From: ksh@cbosgd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Early reading programs
Message-ID: <583@cbosgd.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 11-Nov-83 14:38:48 EST
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.583
Posted: Fri Nov 11 14:38:48 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 13-Nov-83 09:05:57 EST
References: <761@ihuxr.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus
Lines: 31

First of all, my comments DID NOT indicate that you don't give a child
books.  Matt has had lots of the cardboard books (4 page variety) and
LOVES them.  But I think its ridiculous to assume that just because
you give a child books, they will learn to read.  Reading is a learned
activity, and there are many ways to interest your child in the activity
of learning to read.  Reading out loud to them is a good way, making
the 'learning sessions' fun is another way, and making sure they have
access to books that are THEIRS is very important.

I think it's important that you make learning FUN, not because I believe
that learning is dull and boring. The way you react to your
child could make THEM believe its boring and dull.  I have seen parents
of older children tell them they were bad so 'go do your homework'.  If
a child is bad, a reasonable method of discipline is to revoke privileges.
Make the learning sessions one of those privileges.  This way, you begin
to tell your child through your actions that reading and learning is
fun, and it will encourage them to do it more.

Obviously you can't condense an entire book into a few sentences and
have people understand what the book is about.  I would suggest that
Lew Mammel go to his public library and check the book out for a few
days.  I would be interested in hearing his comments after he has a
little more information. (How to Teach your Baby to Read, by Glenn
Doman).

We began Matt on this system today, and he seems interested.  My
initial impression is that he likes the numbers a lot more than the
words.

	Karen Summers-Horton