Don't Be A Baby, Read.

We all know of the "Your Baby Can Read" and Robert Titzer scandal. Right now, the FTC is fighting the organization for false and deceptive advertisements, not only on television, but through websites and giant social media companies. The company is going out of business due to the large loss of profits through complaints. While they say their results verify their research, the FTC says their studies and records are flawed. In short, something like "Your Baby Can Read" won't likely produce a nine-monther who can read. However, it may be possible to teach your young'ns some form of communication which could lead to a higher literacy rate at a younger age. 

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FTC, You Don't Own Me.

For years now, the FTC has been knocking down the doors of numerous organization promising false results, such as reading or doing match at a ridiculously young age. Due to lack of valid scientific research - that would then validify these groups - most parents have given up teaching their young ones until they were "of age" to learn. 

While these programs haven't earned the claims they've promoted, they were on to something. It doesn't sound impossible to many scientist that an infant could start to learn before the age of four or five. Companies like Lingueo have started teaching babies sign language, although only in French. 

Teaching Babies to Read - ish.

I think more Americans should really give this a shot. This study reveals the way children tend to interact with performances, social interactions such as norms, and behavioral patterns. For instance, in the study, children watched a puppet show that referred to certain behaviors as "dax". Soon enough, the children objected when the puppet called something else "dax" that wasn't. The children knew something was wrong.

Likewise, a child at home picks up on the same traits and expectations adults aspire to meet. When they are scolded, they know they did something wrong. The way the they can interpret norms at a young age poses the idea of doing something wrong. A child may still break a rule, but they might also understand and are teasing the adults. This is similar to the way young adults agitate their friends just to get a reaction.

With certain behavioral methods in force, parents could theoretically teach their children sign language. Like the studies in France, a child should be able to interpret when they make an erroneous connection with small phrases and letters. However, with educational reinforcement, the child start matching up these letters and phrases with realities, such as wanting something to drink or asking to be put down. 

Such a basic skill set at a young age could benefit the child when they grow older and has to process more complex materials. The basics will be embedded even before school, which would hopefully place the child ahead of status quo .

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