TEACH YOUR PRESCHOOLER TO READ

The third such manual we've reviewed in a month, this one extends the current pendulum swing away from the hands-off injunctions with which educators have intimidated parents in the relatively recent past. Emery argues not only that reading can be taught to four-year-olds but that it is the customary delay till age six that causes later verbal problems. However the selected studies he cites indicate only that certain groups of generally bright children who did learn early maintained their advantage through the elementary grades. Perhaps reflecting his elevation of the when over the how, Emery's program, beginning with a sight vocabulary, is rather cursory. Parents will find more detailed lesson plans as well as a more considered assessment in Smethurst (p. 703).