The Doman Method
The Doman Method is an educational program. According to Glenn Doman, children have a natural capacity for learning, and parental involvement can play a crucial role in unlocking their child’s potential. This method was developed to train parents in teaching various skills to their children from a young age, including reading, math, and music.
“We have found that a child at home with his mother can learn as much in an hour as an average school child learns in a day.”
— Glenn Doman, “What To Do About Your Brain-Injured Child”
The Importance of Parental Interaction in the Learning Method
Key Features of the Doman Method:
- Start early.
- Use flashcards.
- Make it fun.
- Repeat throughout the day.
- Use different words and images.
- Gradually increase complexity.
Logically, this method, accompanied by a healthy daily routine and diet, forms a comprehensive lifestyle for parents and babies. It provides a solid foundation for a productive future for babies.
How Does a Learning Method Work?
Considering that every learning method has its own steps and rules, I believe that two of the most important success factors for any method are parental involvement and the element of fun. Children, whether they have disabilities or not, are still children. Play, rest, healthy nutrition, and outdoor activities are essential for the development of their brains and bodies. As parents, if our goal is to raise healthy children, we should aim to provide a stable and concrete foundation for the development of their mental health, in addition to their physical and intellectual well-being. Parents who incorporate fun activities into their babies’ daily lives, as the Doman Method suggests, in my opinion, have a great chance of improving their children’s quality of life.
“Since all children are born with a spectrum for learning, the least we can do is not to throttle it”
Glenn Doman
Babies make significant progress in early childhood during their first few years until they reach their first year of school. In their first year of life, they learn to see, speak, eat, crawl, walk, and run. They evolve from helpless little babies to dependent children with enough curiosity to do unexpected things. If you ask me, learning to read is not their expertise.
“Our job, whether we realize it or not, is to give our children a love for learning that will last for a lifetime. Since all children are born with a rage to learn, the least we can do is not throttle it!”
Glenn Doman – How To Multiply Your Baby’s Intelligence
What skill level can the baby achieve?
The fact is that children who start playing the piano or riding horses at a young age tend to become professionals. This means that their parents have influenced and fostered their learning ability. Consistency and persistence in learning a particular skill are key to success. And since children learn more in their early years of life, this is the evidence that supports the Glenn Doman Method! Some succeed, and others do not, and it always depends on the individual effort and the child’s abilities.
Who is Glenn Doman?
Glenn Doman was an American physiotherapist and a pioneer in the field of early childhood education. He was born in 1919 and passed away in 2013. Doman is primarily known for developing the “Doman Method” or “Doman-Delacato Method,” which was based on his beliefs about children’s abilities and early education.
Glenn Doman believed that children have extraordinary learning potential from birth. He also emphasized the crucial role parents can play in nurturing this potential. He developed special techniques to teach children early skills such as reading, math, and music. His method involved using visual aids like flashcards and adopting a positive, enthusiastic approach to motivate children.
Doman was mainly known for his work with children with neurological developmental disorders and brain injuries. He believed that many of these children, including those with Down syndrome, could make significant progress through intensive training and involving parents. He also emphasized the playful atmosphere of learning, combined with daily physical activity and a healthy diet.
It’s important to note that the Doman Method and Glenn Doman’s views in the field of early childhood education and child development have been subject to controversy. Some expressed doubts about the effectiveness and scientific basis of his methods, while other parents and caregivers reported positive outcomes. Despite this controversy, Glenn Doman significantly influenced the discussion on early childhood education and the role of parents in their children’s development.