Sign Language & Reading

Teaching your child sign-language...a fun video:
http://www.signingtime.com/vol-1-my-first-signs-dvd

They also have some videos directly for babies, but I read reviews that they weren't quite as good. I got a copy from the library and our son LOVED watching it. It helped me learn the signs so I could do them with him throughout the day. Sign language DID NOT delay his verbal skills (that I could tell). There is an in-between stage for babies...from the time they know what they want to the time they can tell you with words. It was WONDERFUL to know when our son was hungry, when he was thirsty, and when he was full. The handful of signs we taught him were life-savers and saved him some frustrated tantrums.

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I also bought the series "Your Baby Can Read" on Amazon. It's a little far-fetched to think that I can teach our young son to read, but it makes sense that their learning capacity is greatest before age three. :) So I've been trying it out. He is two and is beginning to read some words. I keep a stack of flashcards with the words we use often: Oatmeal, Boat, Bubbles, Pops, Shopping, Slide... I have been surprised by how often he wants to do the flashcards with me. He never tires of them. If you're interested in the science behind sight-training (as opposed to phonics...which should be taught at 5 or 6), a very fascinating book is "How to Teach Your Baby to Read" (by Glenn Doman). This was the most interesting book I've read on the development of children. I highly recommend it.

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Another thing I'm doing (or planning on doing) is downloading the bible in Spanish, Chinese, Romanian, and English and then alternating verses or chapters. I don't necessary plan on teaching him all those languages (aside from English), but I would like him to have the capacity of learning the accent well.

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After our son was born, I would just stare at him and he would stare back at me...and I really wasn't sure what to do with him when he was awake. I came across this site that gives some age-appropriate ideas.

http://www.productiveparenting.com/aspx/ActivityLibrary.aspx?aid=0B

I guess we try a bunch of things on our first and then the rest do well to read by age 10? Anyway...I've loved being a mom and our two boys are so precious.