Reading: Too good to be true?

“Grandma can I play my game now?” Headsprout is one of the cutest computer programs that I have ever seen for the purpose of teaching kids how to read, designed for early readers four through seven. ZZ had just turned four, and he loved it. I was testing the program for a specific educational purpose and ZZ was a perfect test subject. (And let me say right up front that I do like many of the features in this program and overall the design. I'm still investigating.) The first few lessons were great, but he needed to repeat lessons at times. I chalked that up to the fact that he was at the extreme lower limit of the recommended age range. Soon the concepts in the lessons became harder and moved faster. Well, I canned the program for ZZ for now. Now this is not saying that when he is older that he won't benefit from the program or that other kids couldn’t benefit. (I might even try again when he’s closer to five.) My point, however, is that there are many, many computer programs, TV commercials, etc. that promise that you can teach your kids, especially babies, to read. I’m sure that these will work with some kids (because kids are very unique, and you will always find some kids and some parents who can make it happen), but I provide information for the general population and what works for most kids. And for most kids, it’s just not that easy. One thing that is easy, though, is the parting of money for parents who are eager to help their children succeed.  So, watch out parents. There’s an old maxim that says – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.