I notice that a lot of the words in LR flashwords are not in red. Does it matter anymore for a 12 month old as long as the writing is clear and fairy large?
I can change each of the LR flashcard words to red to right, or no?
Dear LuckyLucy,
The color is dependent on the ability of the child - not the age. And you can change the color of the letters in LR files from black to red in the playback settings under Fonts.
Also, if you want to follow the guidelines in the Doman How to Teach Your Baby to Read book, 40th Anniversary Edition (although they
are not necessary to be so exact), they are as follows:
Step 1 Individual Words > 3" high (tall letters) red lowercase letters (except
proper nouns are capitilized ) x 1/2" width on 6" x 22" posterboard
Step 2 Couplets > same
Step 3 Phrases > reduce the size of the red lowercase letters to 2"
Step 4 Sentences with 4 words > reduce the size of the red lowercase letters to
1 1/2"
Step 4 Sentences with 5 words > reduce the size of the red lowercase letters to
1" high for several weeks and then increase the number of words to 6 word
sentences for another several weeks. As long as the child can read this easily,
then you . . .
Step 4 Sentences with 6+ words > reduce the print size to 7/8" red letters for
several weeks.
FROM THE BOOK: "The important rule is to observe in this process is never to
reduce print size and increase the number of words at the same time. First
reduce print size slightly and live with it for a while, then increase the
number of words. Do both of these things gradually. Remember the sentence
cannot be too big or too clear, but it could be too small and too confusing.
You never want to rush the process. If you did reduce the print size too
quickly or increase the number of words too fast, you will notice your child’s
attention and interest dropping. He might begin to look away from the printed
matter altogether and simply look at you because the card or page is visually
too complex for him.
If this should occur, simply return to the print size or number of words you
were using right before this happened and his enthusiasm will return. Stay at
this level for a good while longer before attempting to change things again.
You do not really need to change the size or color of single words. In fact, we
have found that keeping single words larger is easier for both mother and child.
However, when you are making books with 1" letters or 6+words on a page or
longer, we recommend changing from red to black print. As words get smaller,
black does provide better contrast and a more legible page.
Now the stage has been set for the final most exciting step of all—the book.
We have already gotten our foot solidly in the door by creating many little
couplet books, phrase books, and sentence books, but if these steps are the
skeleton, it is the next one that is the meat. The path has been cleared, so
let’s get to it."
- Ayesha
P.S. I personally use the computer and make the individual words as large as
possible and will reduce the size gradually and use the above as a “guideline”.
Another interesting point is that the IAHP Reading Kit that has preprinted cards
for each step and book have the following sizes that are slightly different from
the guidelines in the book:
Step 1 Individual Words > 75 words on 4" wide x 10" long cards with 2 1/8" tall
x 3/8" wide red letters for small words; and for longer words it is 4" wide x
~20" long cards with same lettering
Step 2 Couplets > 27 couplets with 4" wide x ~20" long cards with 2 1/8" tall x
3/8" wide red letters
Step 3 Phrases > 13 phrases on 4" wide x ~20" long cards with 1 3/8" tall x 1/4"
thick red letters
Step 4 Sentences > 5 sentences that are 4" wide x ~20" wide cards with 1 3/8"
tall x 1/4" wide red letters
Step 5 Book > Book entitled “Enough Inigo, Enough!” with 9 7/8" wide x 7" tall
pages with 1/2" tall x 1/16" wide black letters
So, as you can see - their own kit does not match exactly what the suggestions
are in the book - it is a guideline! No need for rulers!
- Ayesha
Oh my gosh Ayesha, thank you so much! It’s so helpful (for everyone) to have all this info in one eye shot. I’m not going to stress about the word size and color too much. Well, I’m going to keep it black or red and easy to see.
THanks again!
Lucy