Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Love and Learning?
I have a newborn. When should I start?
Why start teaching reading at such an early age?
My toddler used the 1st kit and can read all the words.
Do I need to continue with the program?
How many learning kits does it take to teach a child to read?
When do we go onto the 2nd kit?
Why the name "Love and Learning?"
Can I pay with a credit card?

Who is Love and Learning?
Love and Learning was developed by us, Joe and Susan Kotlinski. After our daughter was born with Down syndrome, the doctor told us that we must be realistic and face the fact that our daughter might learn to feed and cloth herself but would not be able to learn higher functioning tasks such as reading. We decided to try to teach her anyway. Because we were not able to find learning materials we felt were suited to her special learning needs, we decided to make our own to help her with language and reading development. We were amazed at what Maria did learn. Encouraged by Maria's preschool teacher we decided to share the technique with other families. Return to Top

I have a newborn. When should I start?
A study done at the University of Washington/Seattle states that infants as young as six months of age are listening to and organizing sounds (Science News, 7/15/89). So, since a newborn is already beginning to learn the rudiments of language, this is a great time to begin our learning technique. The alphabet audio tape is used at nap and bed time. This is not sleep learning. But because a child is usually awake for at least a few minutes after you put him to bed, this is a chance for him to hear basic building block sounds as we present them on the audio tape. Many of the alphabet sounds are a great way to introduce your child to vocalizing/babbling. Even the video tape can be used from birth. Although an infant will probably not watch the television screen, they will still have the opportunity to hear the basic sounds of the alphabet and associated words. Eventually your child will glance over at the television screen. And of course with time your child will become more captivated by the moving images and turn his full attention to the TV, facilitating learning even more. Reading the alphabet book to your child will take only 2-3 minutes and is another way to reinforce the material from the audio and video tapes. Return to Top

Why start teaching reading at such an early age?
Our experience is that children with Down Syndrome learn language faster if they have a visual cue to help them remember and vocalize the sound. If a child sees and hears the letter "a" on the video tape and in a book, in time the visual cue of the letter "a" will trigger an attempt by the child to vocalize the sound. Return to Top

My toddler used the 1st kit and can read all the words. Do I need to continue with the program?
Because a toddler knows the letters and words in the 1st kit does not mean that the school system (2-3 years latter) will be able to teach your child to read. It is important to use these years before 1st grade in a very constructive way. The key to our reading technique is to have fun learning a little each day over a long period of time. Return to top

How many learning kits does it take to teach a child to read?
Our experience is that it usually takes 5 or 6 learning kits to give a child a good foundation and the ability to read age appropriate books. Return to top

When do we go onto the 2nd kit?
General Guidelines:
If you have a newborn and have the 1st two kits then each video from Kit #1 and Kit #2 can be put on for your child once a day. For a newborn we suggest using just the books and audio tape from the 1st kit. The 2nd kit books and audio tape can be introduced once your child starts repeating about half the material in the 1st kit.
If you have a toddler use all 3 parts of the 1st learning kit. If your child has consistently enjoyed watching the 1st video for 2-3 weeks then you can also start playing the 2nd kit video. Again we suggest that you put the books and audio tape from the 2nd kit on the side until your child starts to repeat about half the letters and words from the 1st kit. With respect to how many books to use - let your child's interest level be the guideline. Keep in mind we do not want to drill your child. Always keep things fun and short. Return to top

Why the name "Love and Learning?"
We decided to call our company Love and Learning for several reasons. First, we want to emphasis that love (respect for the child) is the guiding factor of our technique. We do not intend to make super babies. We do believe each child is born with a gift, a gift that is nurtured best in an atmosphere of love. Secondly, our technique relies on the positive influence of parental involvement. No computer program or video tape by itself will be able to replace the benefits derived from the time a parent spends each day reading to their child. Only a parent can add that feeling of love and warmth to the learning process.
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Can I pay with a credit card?
Payment is usually made with a check or money order in US funds. If you would like to pay by charge contact us for instructions on how to pay using PayPal. Return to top

 

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