Spaced Repetition for Early Reading: An Interview with CoffeePie #
This blog post details an interview with CoffeePie, a Reddit user who has been using spaced repetition software Anki to teach his children to read at an early age. His daughter is several years ahead in reading ability compared to her peers, and he has replicated this success with his son.
- CoffeePie's approach: Started using Anki with his daughter at age 2 and his son at 1 year 9 months.
- Daughter's progress: By age 5, her reading ability was at the level of a fifth grader or even an eighth grader in some areas.
- Key insights from CoffeePie:
- Introduced lowercase letters earlier than planned, as his daughter seemed to learn them naturally through exposure.
- Started teaching numbers and basic arithmetic to his son early on, with surprising success.
- He acknowledges that his children's advanced reading abilities opened up a wider world of learning, including exposure to politics and current events.
- > "A four year old with a 3rd grade reading ability learns about a WHOLE lot more -- it opened up politics for her. She would read our junk mail, and learn who our council member was, who our representative is, the mayor, current events, history, etc."
- At a certain point, they stopped using Anki for regular reading practice with his daughter, focusing instead on general comprehension development.
- Anki isn't a substitute for real-world experiences or developing age-appropriate knowledge.
Key Takeaways #
- Early reading with Anki: CoffeePie's experience provides compelling evidence that spaced repetition can be an effective tool for teaching young children to read.
- Beyond reading: While Anki can be useful for building foundational reading skills, it's essential to recognize that it doesn't address all aspects of learning, particularly comprehension and real-world knowledge.
- Parent's guide: CoffeePie's approach can serve as a valuable guide for parents looking to explore early reading interventions, but individual results may vary.
Action Steps #
- Explore Anki: If you're interested in trying spaced repetition for early reading, consider exploring Anki and its potential benefits.
- Consult experts: Talk to education professionals or specialists for guidance on age-appropriate learning methods and strategies.
- Balance Anki with other activities: Don't solely rely on Anki for your children's development. Encourage a varied range of learning experiences, including real-world interactions and experiences.
Additional Information #
- CoffeePie's tutoring business: Brooklyn Tutoring and Test Prep
- Video of CoffeePie's son practicing Anki: Included in the blog post.
- Larry Sanger's experience with early reading: Mentioned in the interview, as a similar approach to CoffeePie's.
- Protocol details: The blog post encourages readers to ask CoffeePie directly about his specific methods.
Note: This summary is focused on the core information and insights from the interview. For a complete understanding, it's recommended to read the full blog post.