I cringe every time I see those commercials. I've not watched one in it's entirety. Do they show the infants/toddlers reading real books? Do they show that the infant/toddler comprehends what he/she is reading?
I guess it depends on how you define reading. I consider my kids readers when they can pick up a book, read it alone, discuss aspects of the story with me.
Yes, I know a friend who insists that early reading is through sight words. How do you define "early reading?" My middle son was reading at 2yrs old and while he had some sight words, he was definitely decoding w/out instruction beyond watching Leapfrog video 3x. My older son started reading later, about 4yrs old and he was definitely decoding w/out having been taught.
While early reading may be a marker of giftedness, later reading doesn't exclude giftedness.
BUt I agree, it will only muddy the waters for true gifted kids.
