As an eager parent, I approached Glenn Doman’s How to Teach Your Baby to Read with the zeal of someone looking to get a head start. The book, while informative, felt like it could have been condensed into a much shorter guide or pamphlet.
Key Insights
Doman’s central thesis is that children possess an extraordinary capacity for learning at a very young age due to their high neuroplasticity. The book relentlessly advocates for capitalizing on this golden window of opportunity well before formal education begins.
The Method
The core of Doman’s method lies in the use of large, bold flashcards, shown frequently and rotated regularly to keep the child’s learning environment stimulating. He suggests tailoring the words to the child’s immediate world, thus making the learning process relevant and enjoyable.
Personal Take
Although I’m sold on the idea that the method could be effective, I’ve yet to try it. There’s a part of me that hesitates to implement such a structured learning regimen at such a young age, especially when the feedback from the child is non-verbal.
While I understand the value of starting early, my inclination is towards fostering a love for reading through books and storytelling rather than flashcards. My own childhood memories of losing myself in stories are what I yearn to pass on to my children. The book argues that this is the goal, and it is merely accelerating the beginning process before they can read interesting stories.