I found the work in preparing the "Bits of Intelligence" cards to be time consuming and/or expensive, but the outcome is real and the learning process a great deal of fun for my girls ages 4 and 1 1/2. They love spending the short focussed, happy time with their mom. The book encourages you to physically hug and verbally encourage your children before and after each learning period of 30 sec - 2 min. What child wouldn't love a no pressure, mom's happy and hugging me time.
I had just read the book when I decided to teach my then 9 mon old her colors. I applied the basic colors from colored paper to the size poster cards they recommend and "flashed" them to our baby three times a day for a few days and VOILA, she knew her colors. I would ask her to pick up the yellow block or bring mom the blue ball and she would correctly identify the colored item the great majority of the time. The book doesn't talk about using the method to specifically teach colors, but I was honestly a bit skeptical about the reality of their methodology, so I applied it to our lives in our way.
I feel as if their is nothing they can't learn. My goal for this summer is to teach the fifty states. I had started with a few that our relatives live in and immediately my then 3 yr old started picking up info from newscasts and children's books and connecting it to what I had taught her. "Mom they are talking about Massachusetts. Isn't that way up north where Grandma lives." She then went on to remind me of the state bird and tree (which I cannot remember). What was so exciting was that SHE was so excited to be able to learn additionally info. in a meaningful way because she had something to connect it to.
I had difficulty finding three times a day when all three of us were awake, up and in a good mood. Also, sometimes my four year old would just not want to play. We have put the cards away for weeks at a time, esp when sick etc. And it takes some organization. A copier would be of benefit also. But remember, if you can read this book with an open mind and not get bogged down with the multitude of info it talks about teaching your children, then it can be a wonderful tool to use in teaching them whatever you want. Children are happy to learn new things, be it about saints, leaves, food or clouds. Let them learn and have fun too!
We all understand to become a professional athlete, we need to develop the capability of the muscles to perform the work and we need to learn the skill to perform the work. We also understand there is no way to separate the two different development areas. That is as a beginner to any sport you have to and do develop both the skill and the ability at the same time as you participate. The whole point Glenn and Janet Doman are making is one that any good coach understands, the most effective way to increase the rate of development and potential of ability is to engage in quality repetitive stimulation.
My degree is in Education, and I am a student of life and how we, and why we learn, Glenn and Janet have written several books that clearly explain why and how to increase your child's potential. The philosophy is sound and the methods are well proven. There is but one thing to consider, are you willing to develop children that are smarter then your self and give them a real chance to excel. If so read the books, understand the philosophy and consistently employee the methods. Your children will be greatly rewarded!!