Well, they aren't traditional flashcards.

They do many sets a day, for very small periods of time - they know a child's attention span will shrink as the child grows older and can move and explore. They do suggest starting while they are 6 months or younger, because the children do tend to sit there.

They suggest learning words first - and then letters. Because words actually mean something and are used in all the interactions they see. Learning letters is too abstract at first. They suggest learning the words first, then after they understand how words work and what they are good for, they can learn how to build words. And how to say new words. And understand new words.

I agree with how learning should be captured throughout all aspects of a child's day - which is why I wonder - why not add flashcards to the mix?  The doman way in no way prohibits other ways of learning - they encourage it - but they also have a twist on things which makes me curious about them. Though they are rather dated too.

Still, their story interests me, as they started work with disabled children, using exercises (including flashcards) to help these brain damaged children to perform at the same level as "average" kids.  Their work was successful. And then they went on to ask -

Why are non-brain damaged kids, performing at only an "average" level? 

Zing.  So, I like that story and am just looking for people with more experience with the Doman style.  The fact that it isn't part of a teaching degree program might be telling too though!

Can you tell me more, they have me quite interested, is it just a picture with a word that you are showing? and then the child remembers it? The fact that they say learn the word first then the letter has caught my interest....

And just because they aren't in the teaching degree doesnt signal much! You'd be surprised how much the actual degree misses out, i think the past few months in a classroom has taught me a lot more than the 4 years at uni! :)

 

I recommend you read How To Teach Your Baby to Read, by Glenn Doman and Janet Doman. There are over 5 million copies in print, and you can purchase it at amazon.com. Glenn Doman founded an organization named the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential, an organization that works with both well and brain-injured children. The organization teaches that child brain growth and development can be speeded. It is based on neuroplasticity, the concept that the brain has the ability to grow and expand itself through stimulation. It is a revolutionary method, and tens of thousands of parents swear by it. Also, if you go to youtube and search "Doman", you will find videos of parents teaching their children to read. Pretty amazing!