I just finished reading the book How to Raise a Brighter Child.  I really enjoyed it and would certainly recommend it.  It is not a must read, but it does cover should you teach your preschooler to read as well as ideas for teaching foreign languages, math and science.  I found these chapters interesting and made some notes of activities I would like to do with my youngest child.

The  most insightful part of the book for me was a scenario between a child who was exposed to early learning and a child that was not.  In the scenario there is a child that enjoys interacting with their parents and has learned many things  before beginning school and perhaps has even learned to read.  Another child is introduced that has never received any early learning instruction, therefore books and language are not something they are very familiar with.

The sad part of this scenario, which happens every day, is that the child who was involved in an early learning program is labeled gifted when he arrives at school and attention is given to him to continue moving him up and helping him to advance and develop.  The other child, however, is labeled as slow or learning disabled.  He soon discovers that he will not easily catch up to the other children that have received early instruction, therefore he gives up.  He remains a student that struggles and is at the bottom of the class.  If he passes, he will have to work hard to maintain his grades.

This is a scenario that happens every school year.  There are children who are well prepared for success in school and those that are destined to struggle.  This should not be!  If parents would just engage their children in early learning activities for short amounts of time during this fabulous period of brain development that occurs between birth and 6 years old, they will not have children that struggle in school.  The time to address this issue is during the first years of life, not once a child reaches school.

How I wish more parents would get on board and teach their babies and young children to read.  This is such an important skill to have to succeed in school and in life.  It can be done in just minutes a day in a fun and enjoyable way.  This one thing alone can have such a powerful impact on a child's life and success in school.  All learning is based on the ability to read and comprehend, making reading a number one priority for parents to teach their children.

To find out how you can teach your baby to read in just minutes a day check out the MonkiSee Baby Reading Kit.  Through the use of fun and interactive dvds, books and flash cards babies will learn to read and have the strong start they deserve.  Visit www.monkisee.com for more information.