Another important part of our learning technique includes the use of a special alphabet book to help with vocalization. It is the only part that requires your own time each weekday. But it is a very little time indeed, only 2-3 minutes a day. But even though it takes so little time, it is just as important as the audio and video tapes. This is because there is much more going on that is initially apparent. We will go into more detail later but first, however, let's talk about how to make and use this special book. You will need 27 - 5x7 cards. Print one letter of the alphabet on each card. Use lower case letters as we did in the video. On one card print the word "hug". You can laminate the cards with a clear plastic so they will last longer. After you have them in the correct order, add the word "hug" after the letter z and bind them into a book using string. Keep the string loose enough so that the page will lay flat when the book is open. Now you are ready to use this special book. First, cuddle your baby/toddler in your lap. Make sure she feels the love and warmth of being close to Mom or Dad. Say the letter "a", turn the page, then say "b", turn the page and so on. It should take you no more than 1 - 2 minutes. A number of things are now going on that are worth mentioning. First, because there is only one letter per page to view, your child cannot get confused. "a" is the only thing she can see when you are speaking the letter to her. (This is the same idea behind the structure of the video tape.) Secondly, your child is getting another chance to hear the same sounds as in the audio and video tapes. Thirdly, and probably the most important, your child is making an association between the good feelings of love and warmth in being with Mom or Dad, and the learning process. Keep in mind that we do not expect any response from your child for at least a year. As we discussed earlier, a child must listen and organize sounds over a long period of time before she can use them herself. What is important is that she feels totally loved and accepted. This good feeling will be the basis of everything else in her life. Read the book to your child just once each weekday - twice if you're both enjoying yourselves. We suggest limiting the use of the book to keep both of you from becoming bored or tired of it. Anytime is a good time to begin using the book, but the best time is right now. That's because your baby/toddler is organizing sounds right from birth so it is important to make the book part of your routine. Even if she does not attend to the book, she will get another chance to hear the sounds of the letters as you read them. Caution: as with all paper products, use the book with parental supervision, making sure your child does not chew on the pages. Also, keeping the book out of the reach of your child will help keep it special, something to be shared and enjoyed with Mom or Dad. Use the book only on weekdays, setting it aside on week-ends, holidays and vacations.This varies the routine enough to keep your child's interest. What we want to do is build long-term memory. This is best done when information is presented for a short span of time but on a consistent, long-term basis. So think long-term and do a little bit - with lots of love - each day.

#2 MAKING AND USING A WORD/PICTURE BOOK

In addition to the alphabet book, we suggest you make a word/picture book to help her develop early reading skills. Choose five words from your audio or video tape. Using 11 - 5x7 cards, print one word in lower case letters on each of the five cards. Then cut out pictures from magazines or use photographs to depict each word and tape them onto five other cards, printing the word onto the card along with the picture. Assemble the book as follows: card with first word followed by card with picture of first word, card with second word followed by card with picture of second word, etc. Read this short book to your child once a day. It will take a very short time but can be a great reinforcement to what she is hearing and seeing on the audio and video tapes.