During all of my late night channel flipping, I consistently see the “Your Baby Can Read” infomercials.  I’m sorry, but I’m sticking this post under the category of “What were these parents thinking?”.

Actually, I don’t have a baby.  But I do have a 3 year old grandson who can’t read.  He can write and spell his name, and he “thinks” he can read as we’re going through his books that he’s read a million, kazillion times.  But the fact is, he cannot read and he’s still a very intelligent, healthy, happy little boy.

Personally I find this whole concept ridiculous.  The infomercials show these little babies, who are barely starting to eat solid foods,  whipping through these flash cards with their parents who think they are raising the next Einstein.  Who cares if your baby can read?

Wouldn’t you rather be spending that time with them on normal childhood activities.  There are plenty of learning activities and games that moms-dads-and babies can participate in together that don’t involve drilling and grilling them over and over again with flashcards.  Enjoy their early years doing things that are fun, yet they are still learning.

I remember when my son first started Kindergarten we were told that he was behind in his fine motor skills.  He couldn’t use scissors worth a darn.  I felt like a horrible parent for not teaching him that skill.  But he could write his own name.

Fortunately for us, he had a very good teacher who explained to us that almost all kids enter kindergarten with different skill levels.  Some have great motor skills, some can write and do a little “reading”, and some can’t do either.  She explained to us that studies have proven by the third grade all children catch up to each other in their skill levels.

That’s not to say that they all perform the same.  Obviously they don’t, as noted in their report cards (do they still call them that?).  But their level of learning is on an even platform by the time they reach the third grade no matter how much they knew when they first started school.

Frankly I realize I may tick off and rile up a few parents with these bold statements.  But every time I see those infomercials with the parents holding up those flashcards and clapping and cheering their babies on, I have to laugh.    Are these babies really enjoying this monotonous activity or would they rather be playing with their blocks and shape sorters or wire and bead manipulators where they’re having a whole lot more fun, yet learning without it being force fed to them.

Tell me what you think.  I’d love to hear what other moms and dads think about this concept.