Freddie Said:

Teaching baby's to read? Is this a good idea?

We Answered:

I think the reasoning was that they simply don't work. Kids that age can't get anything out of those videos. Sure, they can play along, and remember what to say and do at the right times, but while they may seem to be reading 'clap' off the screen while watching the video, they can't do it an hour later if someone writes it down. They're not learning how to read, they're just learning how to watch TV.

Ruth Said:

Have you seen that informercial for teaching your baby how to read?

We Answered:

What? I'm with you? Why do kids need to learn how to read anyways! Kids are good for stuff like cleaning my messes, making my sneakers and baby races..

Bernard Said:

Books about why teaching babies to read, count and speak are good ?

We Answered:

Books and whatnot about teaching baby to read are a great profit-maker for their authors. Want a literate child? Talk to your baby. Talk all the time. Talk a lot. Talk in detail. Refrain from giving YES/NO type answers in favor of age-appropriate explanations. When you are driving, turn off the radio and talk to your baby about what you see. When you are shopping, point out to the baby the sights around you. Talk talk talk talk talk.

As your baby gets older, read. Read lots of books. Allow the child to stop and ask questions. Point to the pictures as you read. Read books for fun. Read your own books in front of your child. And keep talking.

As they get a little older yet, take your child to the library weekly and check out books. And read them. And talk about them And have long, silly, fun conversations every chance you get.

By the time you have a kindergartener, you will have a child with a huge vocabulary. When your kinderkid encounters written words, they will be familiar and easy to read. And they will have learned a love of language and reading from you.

Everything I have told you to do is free and time-tested. But if you must read a book, this is the best book about how young children learn:
http://www.amazon.com/Einstein-Never-Use…

Oh, yes, you also asked about counting. Count things with your baby and children as part of your conversations.

Jane Said:

How to teach baby to walk, eat, read, dance? but not time?

We Answered:

Well, sure you can have a babysitter reinforce the things you are doing.

But...a baby mostly needs love and caring. Everyone develops at different rates. A child who reads early will most often be no further ahead by age 7 than the child who read a little later.

It's great to expand the mind to show and to enrich, but don't get caught up in a competitive thing with your friend. He's most likely not a single dad and it's tough when everything is on one parent.

Best of luck to you and your child--don't work too much so you miss out on things that money can't buy.

Sue Said:

What methods for teaching babies to read would you recommend?

We Answered:

Just read with them a lot, bed-time stories. Put them on your lap and let them see what you're doing. Point at the words as you go. Picture books.But don't force it. Just make it fun. Save the serious learning 'til they're a little bit older.