July 10, 2007 Alenka | Posted in To Read.

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Glenn Doman, the director of the Human Institute of Achievement of Human Potential, firmly believes that learning to read is the same skill as learning to talk and and to walk. Moreover, the years of study led him to the conclusion, that reading is not only what separates us from animals, but it also every humans birthright. Therefore an opportunity for it should be offered as early as possible: if you can start right after birth, by all means do, but if your child is already older dont delay it any longer! Not everybody agrees with him. Feel free to find out more on opposition to the whole word method. And many of us wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity: for another point of view, read Elizabeths take on it in Whole word method harmful for kids development?. First of all, Glenn Doman belives that kids are too smart to bore them with inidual letters, phonics and other methods. Over the years of working with children, he discovered that you can teach your child to read in just 90 seconds a day. How? By showing them large whole words a few times a day (see more details in a brief summary of his method below). Is that all?! Well, almost. Glenn Domans recipe for success is the following: 1. Mother (father or other primary caregiver) - Glenn Doman believes, that parents are the best teachers and it is their love and confidence in their children that provide their kids with the best inspiration, regardless if the they are staying at home with the child the whole day, or working and able to spend just a few hours a day. 2. The attitude and approach - expect learning to be fun and the best possible game, the greatest adventure and your child will enjoy it too: hugs, kisses, giggles work much better then ability to sit still and listen. Learning should always take place when both parent and child are happy. 3. The size and orderliness of reading material the younger the baby, the bigger print should be used! 4. Start as early as possible the younger the child, the easier it is for him to learn

5. Always stop before your baby wants to stop one of the most important rules: the child should be begging for more. If your child gets tired after 5 slides, show him just 4, but leave him hungry for more. 6. Dont bore your child! - introduce new material often, show it quickly. If the child is not interested, probably you need to show it even faster, and update even more often! 7. Consistency it is better to show less words more often, more consistently, then more words occasionally. Kids learn by repetition. As long as you update your material often not to bore them 8. No testing! testing is a sign of distrust, it is the opposite of fun. So, absolutely no testing. Though there are some tricks that can keep your spirits up by showing that your child is actually learning, and will turn out to be even more fun for him! Intrigued? Well, I was. You can read my personall opinion on why teach your children to read. Once you are done with the wonderful review of the method below, you can jump start your reading program! Update: Laurie Tiemens wrote a really brief and really straight to the point sequence of steps for teaching kids to read. You can find it on eHow: How to Teach Your Baby to Read. It is really Domans method in a nutshell. Please provide your rating and add a comment in the end! And now, the summary of the actual approach, kindly shared by Laurie Tiemens, the moderator of TeachYourBabyToRead group:

Summary of Glenn Domans Reading Program

Once you read this summary I urge you to get the book, How to Teach Your Baby to Read, by Glenn Doman . It explains things in so much more detail and gives you a good grasp on why this program works. Once you know the whys it will help you to hang in there if things get tough. I offer this summary for those who are eager to get started right away.

Can a Baby Really Read?

Why Bother to Teach Your Baby to Read? Teaching your baby to read will cause your babys brain to grow. Brains grow with use just as muscles do. Babies brains are developing faster in infancy than they will in later childhood. Since they have a greater ability to adapt based on environment than older children, babies brains can possibly learn to read in a more efficient manner if a baby learns early. Children learn language skills faster and easier in infancy so it is easiest to teach them to read as babies than at any other time. Reading is one of the most important skills a parent can teach a child. Reading is fun for babies and toddlers. Learning to read puts them permanently ahead as proven in controlled studies. The window of opportunity for learning reading begins to close by age four. Learning to read influences many other aspects of a childs life in a positive way.

Do babies want to learn to read?

Yes, because they want to learn everything! They are voracious knowledge hounds particularly for language, whether spoken and heard or printed and read.

When to Start a Reading Program

Good time to start 3-4y, Better time to start 2-3y, Best time to start 0-24mo

2 vital points:
1. your attitude and approach
1. joyous and enthusiastic, it must be approached as a superb *game* 2. teach at a time of day when both you and your baby are happy 3. best duration for reading sessions is 30 seconds or less 4. always stop before he wants to. 5. Introduce new material when your child is ready for it follow his lead 6. be consistent with doing your program

2. size and orderliness of reading matter

1. large size print why?

The size of the

crucial to
small we might not want to read either.

print is

your success. Very young children

print is too small they get

have immature visual pathways. If the

frustrated because they have to work so hard to see the type. If you and I had to read type that was too

See what I mean? Youre ready to stop, arent you? 2. Make a gradual transition from large to small print and from words to couplets to short sentences to longer sentences one change at a time

Materials needed Large word cards 4 x 22 (6x 22 if newborn)

1. stiff paper that does not wobble like poster board precut from www.kards.com or cut on paper cutter 2. red words 1. 3 tall, (5 if newborn) 2. -5/8 thick stroke 3. margins 4. print words using lower case letters 5. after a few months you will start to progressively transition to normal sized, black letters 6. the front side is the childs side, on the back is your side where you should write the date you started showing the word as well as the word itself; that way you will know what the front of the card says without turning the card around 3. Word choice 1. words about his world starting with his body and family, then home and interests 2. use nouns, verbs and adjectives mostly the rest hell pick up in context this helps avoid boredom

3. make at least one months worth of word cards before starting your program

Reading Pathway Your Child Will Follow

1. Reading sessions 1. Where 1. as few distractions as possible 2. you facing him if at all possible 3. sitting on your lap is second best option 2. How 1. as quickly as possible, 1 card per second or faster 2. as enthusiastically as possible 3. look at your child while saying the words 4. stop before he wants to 5. each set can be from 1-10 words, take cues from child 6. dont forget a hug and kiss when youre done 7. do not ask child to repeat the words 8. shuffle the cards so youre ready for the next session 9. wait at least 15 minutes before doing the next session 10. First week (assuming your child continues to be interested in seeing 5 words per set) 1. Day 1 Set 1, Show Word A 3X/day 2. Day 2 Set 1, Show Word A+B 3X/day 3. Day 3 Set 1, Show Word A, B, C 3X/day 4. Day 4 Set 1, Show Word A, B, C, D 3X/day 5. Day 5 Set 1, Show Word A, B, C, D, E 3X/day 6. Day 6 Set 1, Retire Word A, Show Word B, C, D, E, F 3X/day 7. Continue adding a new word and retiring an old one each day 3. Schedule 1. Each set 3 times per day 2. 30 seconds or less total teaching time per set

3. Retire words after you show them 15 times each 4. Never show them again as single words 5. Do up to 5 sets per day as many as you can do consistently. 6. After a while you will find that it takes less showings for your child to learn them. This is because his brain has grown with use. 7. Eventually your child will only need to see a word once to learn it! 4. Attitude joyous! 5. New material dont wait until he knows 100% of the words or he will get bored 1. New words can be added daily and old words retired daily as above 2. Alternatively, whole sets can be started and later retired at the same time but this method is definitely not preferred. 6. Words to start with see word banks 1. Self words 2. Family words 3. Home environment words 4. Objects in his world 5. Possessions 6. Food 7. Animals 8. Actions 9. Anything that is of interest to him 2. Show him at least 200 words before adding the next step 1st step single words described above Continue with this step for as long as you are doing a reading program with your child. 3. 2nd step couplets 1. Couplet is simply two words presented together 2. Make couplets using words already taught 3. Show 1-2 sets of them each day along with the sets of single words 4. 3rd step Phrases 1. 3 words like Mommy is eating. 2. Can be added as a set of cards or learned via game or books.

5. 4th step Sentences 1. Includes noun, verb and object and usually have at least four words. 2. Taught in the same way that phrases are taught. 6. 5th step Books 1. If a child is under 3, you will probably need to make your own books by cutting up commercial books and supplying the large print. 2. If your child is already 3yo, find books with 7/8 type. 3. Make books with few words per page on his interests, 4. Words only on one layout, next page can be picture 5. Use one book per week, read 3 times per day

Adapting the Program to Your Child

1. If you are starting with a child who is 0-18mo : the closer your child gets to 18 mos the quicker you should present it and the briefer your sessions should be. 2. If you child is 18mo 30 mo: start gradually but move to phrases as soon as possible majoring on his interests. 3. If your child is 30-48 mo: The older he is the more sophisticated the words you should teach him. You will need to be sure to use the retired words in books for review as he will need it. 4. If you child is already 48 mo or older: Dont lose heart. Glenn Doman: A 4yo is a fire-eater compared to an 8yo or even a 6yoThere are thousands of superb readers who started when they were 4. Just be sure to start with very sophisticated words about what he is interested in. Use a thesaurus extensively. And go to books as soon as possible. As a matter of fact, write the book first and then teach the words that you will need for it.

Other Points
1. Long-term project It takes many months to teach your baby to read. 2. Attitude critical to the success of your reading program

3. Consistency start out slow, get your program well-established before starting to add more 4. Never, never, ever, ever test your child! Reading must always be a game where he always wins! Its okay to show him two word cards and say, Can you find Word A? But if he starts to reach for Word B you must quickly say with a smile in your voice something like Oh, you found Word B! or Heres Word A! The more you test him, the slower he will learn and the less he will want to. The less you test him, the quicker he will learn and the more he will want to learn. 5. Time Involved about 5 minutes per set plus material preparation 6. Dos and Donts 1. Dont bore your child, especially by going too slow or testing him. 2. Dont pressure your child. 3. Dont be tense. 4. Be joyous. 5. Be inventive. 6. Answer all your childs questions. 7. Give your child worthwhile material to read. Okay, youve read the summary. Now go get the book, How to Teach Your Baby to Read, by Glenn Doman. It explains things in so much more detail and gives you a good grasp on why this program works. Once you know the whys it will help you to hang in there if things get tough. It is available on www.amazon.com , most local libraries in the USA, and through www.gentlerevolution.com . I do recommend getting the most recent release which is the 40th anniversary edition.

Dot method?! What is it?

Out of all the methods by Glenn Doman, his approach to learning math is the most surprising. We are used to recitals of sequence of numbers (1, 2, 3), then simple counting, then long and difficult process of weaning off counting fingers and teaching kids to do it in their minds.

Glen Doman believes that there is no need for this long and difficult process. According to the research that was conducted in the Institutes of Achieving Human Potential, children are born with an ability to discern quantity of objects by sight. Remember Rainman? Looking at a hundreds of toothpicks and saying their exact number without counting. Apparently all the kids are able to do it and lose this amazing ability if we dont help them develop it. In order to do it, Glen Doman suggests using large flash cards with dots (hence Dot Method), increasing the number of random dots on the cards gradually, getting children accustomed first to quantities, then to equasions with those quantities, and finally even with algebraic sequences, sophisticated equations and even inequalities. Since children get used to doing equations with dots (quantities) instead of numbers (meaningless symbols!), they learn to UNDERSTAND problem solving in math, as opposed to memorizing the formulas to get to the correct answer of the problem. Once children go through this introductory concept of quantities, normal numbers are finally introduced and tiny children continue enjoying sophisticated equations in the more traditional for us way: 127+12-66*2= For the details and further proof, please read How to Teach Your Baby Math by Glen Doman. Once you are familiar with the method, you can find brief summary of steps to help you stay on track and further resources. Go to the top

Does it really work?

First of all, check this article at WordsBestEducation: The Math Mystery. In this article the bloger describes her own quest for understanding on how the math program works for the kids, how successful it is and what are the reasonable expectations. Elizabeth, the author of the article, cites a phone conversation with IAHP institutes where they answered many of her questions, and then shares her own suggestions on how to make this program successful. My personal opinion is that, as with any learning system, it depends on a child. And a parent. The book dedicates an entire chapter for testimonials from parents who used this system. TeachYourBabyToRead group contains quite a number of parents whove used this system with a great success. There is also a great number of kids who went through the entire program without astonishing results. To each his own, but I am sure

that the time they spent on trying to learn math this way was not waisted anyway: their visual pathway is definitely a lot more developed and theyve spent a lot of quality (and fun!) time with their parents what can be more rewarding? Besides, who knows, may be this knowledge will surface in a future, giving them boost in understanding of math in school and college. Thanks to Laurie Tiemens for this important point: I would like to add another important benefit. More brain pathways are being wired into your childs brain thereby increasing their ease of learning anything. The greatest encouragement for me is my own husband. Even without any dot system, or Rainmans disorders, he managed to retain this amazing ability: if you show him a card with 98 dots, he knows that there are 98 dots without counting! Number of grapes on a plate, or people in the room he is never mistaken by more then 2. And, yes, hes been taking special classes for kids gifted in math for years. So, why not help our kids to enjoy this amazing science?! To read about others experiences with the program, or to share yours, scroll down to our Comments section! Looking forward to hear from you! Go to the top

Basic Rules of Teaching

1. Begin as early as possible 2. Be joyous at all times 3. Respect your child 4. Teach only when you and your child are happy. 5. Stop before your child wants to stop. 6. Show materials quickly. 7. Introduce new materials often. 8. Do your program consistently. 9. Prepare your materials carefully and stay ahead. 10. Remember the Fail-Safe- Law: If you arent having a wonderful time and your child isnt having a wonderful time stop. You are doing something wrong.

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FAQ
See more in Glenn Domans methods FAQ and see Comments below for some personal experiences with math program by other parents. Go to the top

Steps
1. Zero Step (for newborns kids under 3 months old, all other kids should start at the First Step) dot cards that are very-very large: 15x15, with black, very bold dots 1.5 in diameter. Begin with one card, show it for 10-15 seconds and hold it absolutely still to give him a chance to focus on it. On a first day show one dot card 10 times, on second show two dot card 10 times; proceed for 7 days with different cards 10 times each day. Repeat for the following two weeks: so, for the first three weeks you show one dot on Mondays, two on Tuesdays On week 4: chose dot cards 8-14 and cycle each of them 10 times a day for the following three weeks (card eight on Mondays, card nine on Tuesdays, etc.) Continue with this pattern until tiny infant is seeing detail consistently and easily (around twelve weeks or later). Chose the correct time of the day: when the baby is in a good mood. Once you realize your infant can see the detail clearly, proceed to step one. 2. First Step Quantity Recognition Teaching your child to to perceive actual numbers, which are true value of numerals 5 dot cards 1-100. 2 sets of 5 cards each, three times a day each set. 3. Second Step Equations Start after youve showed first 20 cards for First Step. Dont test, continue introducing new quantities, i.e. dot cards, (until you reach 100), and add sessions with simple equations: 2+2=4, 5+11=16. Avoid predictable equations: 1+2=3; 1+3=4; 1+4=5. After two weeks of different addition equations, do subtractions, followed by multiplication and division (at two week intervals of 3 sessions of equations per day). 4. Third Step Problem Solving You have completed First Step (showing dot cards), and First Step (simple Equations).

Progress onto more sophisticated three step equations, e.g: 2x2x3=12. You are still extraordinary giving and completely non-demanding (GD, Math, p. 125)- you havent done any testing. The Purpose of problem-solving opportunity is for a the child to be able to demonstrate what he knows if he wishes to do so. It is exactly the opposite of the test. (GD, Math, p. 126). You can do it at the end of the session.
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Hold two cards and ask where is 22 (always offer options!) This is a good opportunity for a baby to look at or touch teh card if he wishes to do so. If he does, make a big fuss. If he doesnt, simply say, This is 32 and, This is fifteen. (GD, Math, p. 127).

Give a simple equation and then hold two dot cards for him to chose the result of the equation. Again, always offer options, and if your child doesnt want to show a card, simply and upbeat say it yourself.

After a few weeks of these equations, make them even more fun: combine addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, but dont mix the pairs e.g. 40+15-30=25, not 4+2*7. After a few weeks, add another term to the equations: 56+20-4-4=68. You can further progress onto: 3. Sequences 4. Greater then and less then 5. Equalities and inequalities 6. Number personality 7. Fractions 8. Simple algebra 5. Fourth Step Numeral Recognition 1111 poster board with numerals written in large, red, felt-tipped marker: 6 tall by 3 wide. Combine numbers with dots: 12 greater then dot card of 7; dot card of 12=12 (number) 6. Fifth Step Equations with numerals Make 18x4 poster board cards for equations with numerals: 25+5=30; 115x3x2x5 not equals 2,500; 458 divided by 2 minus 229.

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Resources

How to Teach your Baby Math Kit: collection of dot cards, that gets you through Steps 1-3. Cards for equals or not equals, or for numerals you have to do by yourself.

Perla Adams, the Classical Mommy, has a PowerPoint presentations with dots, dots and numbers and even some equations you can print it on a card stock paper, or even show them on the computer: Teaching Quantity. Her presentations can help you cover the steps 1-4 and are absolutely FREE! Thanks, Perla, for another wonderful job!!

Your Smart Baby Newborn Program Kit: collection of initial cards for the infant, including 10 dot cards (though you probably need more then that at least 21!), that gets you through Step 0.

FREE Matthew Hudsons Doman plugin (its original location is Matthew Hudsons Doman plugin, but many parents reported that it doesnt work any more, so I uploaded the zip file Doman to make it easier) for Microsoft PowerPoint: terrific plugin that allows you to go through Step 1, 2, some of Step 3 (only two step equations: 15*2=30), step 4, and some of Step 5 (again, only two step equations and numbers are not that big). Plugin also contains a randomizer for your Encyclopedic knowledge words and even a word generator. I personally cant imagine my sons program without this wonderful plugin.

Prodigy Math/Reader for Infants and Toddlers by Geenogee: this is an inexpensive program that helps you through steps 1 and 3. It does get you a little further then Matts plugin it allows 3 and 4 step equations (12/635=70), it allows student management, it remembers and reminders you to show the presentations certain number of times per day, tells you how many lessonettes are left for that day. Similarly to Doman, once you get to equations, it just throws a tiny pop up window with the equation, showing only the result dot card on the screen. Not bad, but I wish it could actually offer the entire program: inequalities, sequences, etc. It has numbers, but they are so small and I havent discovered any ways to enlarge numbers, or how to make them red (if you have, please comment below or email me directly!) Its a pity, that nobody does it! On the other side, same CD contains Prodigy

Reader similar software to teach your kid to read (see more about it at Teach Your Child with Multimedia).

Our Encyclopedic Knowledge Math section contains some presentations (even with sounds) in English, Russian and Spanish that can aid your math learning and make it more fun.