When I first heard about teaching babies to read, I was intrigued but unsure. Could a baby really learn to read before they could even talk? The idea seemed bold, but something in me said it was worth exploring.

And so, our reading journey began.

The Early Days: Discovering Glenn Doman

Around the time our son was 5 months old, I stumbled upon Glenn Doman’s books on early education. His philosophy—that babies are natural learners capable of absorbing immense amounts of information—resonated deeply with me. During nap times, I devoured his books and started preparing materials.

By the time our son turned 8 months old, we officially began the Doman reading program.

Starting Small: Word Cards and Picture-Word Cards

We started with simple, bold word cards—large and clear enough to grab a baby’s attention. Creating them was a labor of love, but I was determined to stick with it.

Two months into the program, I added picture-word cards. After weeks of assembling a massive file and sending it to print, they finally became part of our routine. The visual connection between words and images helped spark our son’s interest, and it wasn’t long before he began engaging with the materials in a new way.

Adding Layers: Phonics and Multiple Languages

As we progressed, I started layering in phonics and introducing new languages.

• English Phonics (19 Months): Once our son was comfortable with word recognition, I added phonics games in English. These playful activities connected letters to their sounds, turning learning into an engaging experience.

• Cyrillic Reading (11 Months): Since I spoke Russian to our son from birth, incorporating Cyrillic was a natural progression. Around three months after starting the English program, I introduced Cyrillic reading using the same method. Over time, his familiarity with the alphabet grew, and he now reads fluently in Russian.

• Spanish Reading (15 Months): When we started the Spanish reading program, it served a dual purpose—not only teaching him to read but also helping him learn the language. While he’s not yet conversational in Spanish, reading has been a powerful tool for building his vocabulary. Spanish phonics, introduced later, were surprisingly easy to integrate because of its phonetic simplicity, much like Russian.

• Russian Phonics (2.5 Years): Phonics in Russian came later, once I had gathered enough materials. By then, he was already comfortable with the language’s structure, so adding sound-letter connections felt like a natural step.

• Japanese Writing & Phonics (2 Years): At 2 years old, I introduced Japanese writing. While we’re not fluent in the language, I’ve included games with Japanese phonics in our routine to maintain exposure. This keeps the characters familiar and creates a foundation to build upon later.

A Moment to Celebrate

One of the most rewarding milestones came when our son was 15 months old. While reading a book together, he pointed to the word “DADA” and said it aloud. It was the first time he clearly demonstrated his ability to read.

This moment wasn’t just a milestone for him; it was a turning point for our family. Even his dad, who had been skeptical at first, became one of his biggest cheerleaders.

The Results So Far

Fast forward to today, and our son is a confident reader in English and Russian, with growing abilities in Spanish. Japanese remains an introduction, but it’s part of his world, and I’m confident the exposure will pay off in the future.

More than his ability to read, what makes me proud is his curiosity and love for learning. That’s the heart of what this journey has been about.

What I’ve Learned Along the Way

Here are a few takeaways from our experience:

1. Start Where You Are: It’s never too early—or too late—to begin teaching.

2. Consistency Builds Confidence: Small, daily routines lead to big progress over time.

3. Play is Key: Turning learning into a game keeps it fun and engaging for both of you.

4. Celebrate Progress: Every new word, sound, or attempt is a victory worth celebrating.

Why I’m Sharing Our Story

When I first started, I struggled to find resources and a community of parents pursuing the same path. That’s why I share our story—not to set a standard, but to show what’s possible and to connect with others on this journey.

If you’re considering starting a reading program or teaching your baby multiple languages, know this: it’s not about being perfect or hitting milestones on a specific timeline. It’s about fostering curiosity, connection, and a love of learning.

Thank you for letting me share our story. Wherever you are in your journey, I hope it inspires you to take that next step.