Your Baby Can Read: A Review

About a month ago, I contacted the Your Baby Can Read company to see if I could review their products.  Having been an English teacher, I have always been drawn to their commercials.  Reading is very important in our family.  While my son is only 10 months old, we already read at least a book a day, if not more.  So, when I was given the opportunity to review the Deluxe Kit with mini-sliders, I was in heaven! 

To begin with, let me share with you what I actually received:

For Collin:

• Your Baby Can Read! Complete 5-Level DVD Reading System.
  
  
• 5 Sets of Sliding Words Cards.
  
  
  
• 5 Lift-a-Flap Books.
  
  

For Me:

Baby's First Teacher Pack:

• Parent's Guide. Gives easy step-by-step instructions to the Your Baby Can Read! Program.
  
  
  
• Early Learning Workshop DVD. Dr. Titzer shares his secrets for a fun, multi-sensory approach to early language development.
  
  
  
• Teaching Cards. 15 Fun Games with 83 double-sided Interactive Cards to play with your child!
  
  

 First Impressions:

This program is so cool! The videos capture Collin's attention right away...and keep it! The videos work in the following manner:

• There are a core group of words that each video focuses on.
  
  
  
  
• They show the word in a certain font on a colorful screen. 
  
  
  
  
• They have a boy say the word and then a girl say the word. I think this is particularly interesting.  In my Secondary Education classes at Ball State, we were taught to have a male and female student do each reading we introduced to the class.  I thought it was neat that this program was right in line with concepts I learned in college.
  
  
• While the word is said, an arrow follows underneath.
  
  
• Next, a picture/clip is shown to demonstrate the word.
  
  
• It moves on to the next word.
     
  
• It will then repeat the words--but what's really neat is that each time the word is repeated, it is in a different font with a different color screen behind it.  I like this because Collin isn't just going to associate the green screen with the word "toes".  He's actually going to learn the word. 
  
  

Along with the videos, I also received sliding word cards and lift-a-flap books for Collin.  He is ALL about the lift-a-flap! Right now, it's just a fun toy.  But I honestly believe it is going to be a learning tool in no time at all.

Lastly, I received a how-to for me and my husband.  I always like to be informed before I start something and their video does just that.  It also comes with a quick reference sheet that explains how you are supposed to effectively use this program.

Does it Work?

Well, it's too soon to tell.  But I have to share a neat story.  After about a week of watching the video a couple times a day, Collin did something really fun.  Ok, in the beginning there's this little kid who always says "Hi! Hi! I'm Graham.  We're going to read some words today.  Make sure you look at the words."  Well, one morning, Collin and I were watching it and when Graham said hi, Collin imitated the sound--he didn't say hi but he made a noise similar to the sound of Graham's voice.  How FUN is that?! 

I plan on giving monthly updates to let you know how Collin is doing! I really think this is going to be such a neat activity for us! 

Other Noteworthy Items:

The program has different levels.  For kids who can't read, it suggests watching the first video a couple times a day for a month.  Obviously, this is where we are at.  But it also has different suggestions based on your child's current ability. 

They take time to impress upon you that this is supposed to be FUN.  You aren't supposed to put pressure on yourself or your child.  This is an activity to do together.  Collin and I sit together and watch it.  When they say words like mouth or toes,  I always point to mine and his.  We are engaged TOGETHER.  That's what this program is about.  They don't want you to just plop your kid in front of the television and go do housework.  Get in there and have some fun! 

Is it Worth It?

How could it not be?  Collin is engaged.  He's having fun with mommy and daddy.  He's learning.  These skills are only going to help him as he enters into school in a few years.  

You can try this program yourself! Check out the details here.

And just for fun:

"Like" Your Baby Can Read on Facebook for one extra entry into all the open giveaways.

Follow Robert Titzer, creator of Your Baby Can Read, on Twitter for one extra entry into all the open giveaways.