Eensy Weensy or Itsy Bitsy?

The YBCR video has a segment where the "Itsy Bitsy" spider song is sung, and kids do the motions. TJ likes that part a lot, he likes to try to do the motions himself too. But in the video they say "Eensy Weensy!" I grew up singing "Itsy Bitsy" spider, and I'm sure TJ doesn't care much which version is sung, but which version did you grow up with?

Late Night Laughs

Here's a hilarious take from the Perfect Baby Blog on the Mensa Miniatures.

Baby Miley Simmons Reads!

This is the daughter of "Reverend Run" from Run's House on MTV (Russell Simmon's brother). They are using the Your Baby Can Read materials to teach baby Miley to read. She is just an adorable baby, and I am so excited to see her reading!

ETA: I believe that Miley Simmons is actually about 22 months old!

Transition

I am doing a bit of research and planning on how to get your baby from reading single words on the TV screen or flashcards that come with the program, to reading books and grappling with new reading materials. Dr. Titzer seems to claim that after enough words are taught, babies deduce phonics. I can see how that is possible, but I'm not sure if I should just assume TJ will deduce phonics. There is a website called Starfall and it seems to be excellent for alphabet and phonics type activities. I will probably start incorporating this part of the way through the program when I am pretty sure he is picking up the new words quickly. Right now, I sing the alphabet song to him several times a day, and he tries to sing it back, but it mostly sounds like "babble babble babble GEEEEE!" It's very cute, I will have to get that on video too.

Funny thing, but I am sitting watching Run's House: Hawaiian Vacation on MTV right now, and the mother and grandmother are flashing "Your Baby Can Read" flashcards at the kitchen table with their little girl. I'm so out-done!!! Cutest thing I saw all day! My little Bubal fell asleep at 7:15 so he didn't get a chance to watch the video (or bathe, or finish his milk). I think he had a tummy ache today and that kept him from napping like he normally does.

Mini Marvel Monday

I almost passed on posting this Mini Marvel, but the thing that made me come back to watch this video several times was the fact that the little boy was so enthusiastic, animated, and obviously believed it was extremely important to know many languages. He probably uses his skill to charm tourists!

Your Baby Can Read Progress Report #1

I will try to give a weekly progress report on TJ's reading once a week. I will definitely be making videos of his progress in the future, but as of right now there is nothing to really tape.

We have been watching the Starter video two times a day as recommended by Dr. Titzer. TJ seems to be pretty neutral on the video still, he gets neither excited nor upset when I put it on. He has to sit in my lap the entire time the video is on though, as he is not really glued to the screen and he will roam off into another room if I sit him on the floor. He is learning the words presented on the video as he did not know all of them. He is not reading any of the words, there is a very very short delay in between the time the word is flashed on the screen and the voice says the word. He is hearing the words and responding to the sound of the voice, by clapping, pointing to his nose or toes, or waving, etc. He does not necessarily need to see the subsequent image of the words in order to respond, the sound of the words is enough right now.

I know that something is taking place in his brain where he is connecting the print images on the screen with the words. Here's how I know. This morning Daddy (also known as 'addy) was watching the news, and a commercial for Six Flags came on. On a plain white background, they flashed several words on the screen. I can't remember what it was, but it was like the name of some event they're having, and the price of tickets, or something like that. TJ came over to me sitting on the couch, climbed on my lap, and pointed to his nose! I'm not sure if he thinks all of the words say "nose" or if he was thinking the Your Baby Can Read video was on, but I found it interesting that he was showing me that he was making connections. I think that within a week he will completely understand that the print images on the screen represent a spoken word or that they represent a thing or action, or maybe even both. I love my little smarty pants, he's doing so well and making me feel like this project is worth it. I continue to celebrate the small things!