GLEN DOMAN - 'TEACH YOUR BABY TO READ' (CAPE 1963)
This book was a series of case histories of brain-damaged children to
demonstrate that reading can be taught at an early age.
It suggests that conventional education fails to exploit the young child's
vast ability to learn and increasing desire for knowledge. Encouragingly,
most 'early' readers have been taught by their parents.
Doman compares learning to read with learning to speak. If adults only spoke
in whispers, children would not necessarily speak at 18 months because their
hearing would not be well enough developed to pick up words. Similarly,
because we print words in small, black letters, young children do not have
the visual ability to distinguish them.Adults tend to speak loudly
andclearly to children, so they do learn to speak.So if we present words
written inlarge, bright letters, children can learn to read.
The method can be used from about 10 months onwards, although it is easier
to test from about 18 months. It can, however, be used for children of all
ages. Basically, it links word shapes with objects or actions a child can
recognise.
I was shown the book by Ali. Then Tina told me how she had used it to teach
Joe and Arthur. I've outlined the basic flashcard technique, which is
described more fully in the 6th chapter.
Guidelines
Use lower case letters only a-b-c-d-e etc.
Print words clearly.
Use a word for no more than five minutes at a time, about five times a day.
Reward success with excessive physical praise.
Make it a game, something the child looks forward to.
NEVER bore the child.
If your child does not respond - STOP - wait a couple of weeks and then try
again.
Be enthusiastic yourself.
Let the child play with the flashcards.
Approach
Write the word in the size and colour indicated on white card.
Show the card and say the word clearly a couple of times.
Put the card away.
Repeat 4 or 5 times daily.
At some point, show the card and ask "what does it say?".
When your child can recognise a word regularly, move on to the next.
Aim for about I word every 2 days.
Review previous words occasionally.
Concepts
(A)Words have a meaning.
(B)A word is more than just a label
(C)A combination of words provides direct communication to the child as an
individual.
Steps
1. Select 2 familiar words (Doman suggests 'mummy' and 'daddy'). Red
letters 5"x4".
Learn one, then the other.
Establish that the child can distinguish between the 2 words. This is
concept A.
2. Use these words:-
hand nose leg teeth finger shoulder
knee hair eye tummy tongue
foot lips ear mouth
head toes arm elbow
thumb
Red letters 4"x4"
Point to the body part as you say the word.
Don't use 2 similar words (e.g. head, hand) consecutively.
3.Adapt these categories for your child:-
(a) objects e.g. chair, kettle, bed, floor, door
(b) peoplee.g. Anna, Den, Jade (use capitals for first letter)
(c)possessions - e.g. ball, spoon, teddy, bike, cup
(d)verbs - e.g. clapping, jumping, crawling (you need to demonstrate
these!).
Red letters 2" high.
This is concept B.
This will have established a basic reading vocabulary of 50-100 words.
Keep to a pace that suits your child and check that the first words aren't
forgotten.
Steps 4, 5 and 6 must be taught in conjunction, working from a very simple
reading book which includes many words your child already knows, printed in
black 14" high.
At this stage pictures are not important, but clear, simple text is vital.
It is also crucial that you do not rush.
4.Copy out all the vocabulary from the story.
Black letters 2 inches high.
These will include words such as 'the', 'I' and 'and' which cannot be
associated with objects or actions.
By now your child should be sufficiently aware of the learning game, that
the words will be learned anyway. Also, if your child is always spoken to
in sentences, the words will be familiar.
5.On A4 file paper, copy out each phrase from the story.
Black letters I" high.
Read the first phrase. When your child can read it and understand its
meaning, secure the page in a ring binder. Move on to the next phrase.
Gradually you will build a book of your own.
6.Read the book itself - black letters 14" high - this is concept C.
The above process will certainly take many months, possibly a couple of years, but
should result in a confident, competent reader who enjoys exploring words.
