The first day of "real" school is stressful for both child and parent. But in the years leading up to that momentous day, there is a lot a parent can do to make those first days less stressful and highly successful. And the confidence gained from those successful first few days can carry a child far along the path of his academic journey.

Yes, years later when your child is 12, all the children who started later will have more or less caught up with him. And, yes, it really doesn't matter how old your child is when he begins to read, as long as the child also learns to love reading. But there are also practical reasons why life is easier, both for the child and for the parent, when a child learns early. A child who learns to love books, as well as pencil and paper activities, at a very young age is a child who can entertain himself, a child who can usually sit still longer and behave in church and other places where a lot of normal childlike activities are off-limits.

So how does a parent achieve this? By starting early with books, and writing utensils, and word games. By talking to the child, so she understands words, then sentences, and then the reason you want her to do something or not do it when you explain it in words. And by giving the child tools that encourage the development of the mind at the same time you are developing the child's body through active physical play and nutritious meals.

Sometimes new parents wonder if in the huge marketplace of products they see at toystores, in catalogs, and elsewhere if there really are learning tools that will help them help their children to be early learners. Can listening to a tape player while looking at a book really teach a young child to read? Experts agree that what is needed, the single most important ingredient in teaching young ones, is interaction with a parent. But many parents are unsure what to do, what materials to use, how much time to spend.

BRIGHT MINDS is a company that provides a solution for parents who want to do the best for their children. If you can spare 20 minutes a day, even a few days a week, you and your child can not only learn with BRIGHT MINDS books and software, but you can have loads of fun together while learning. Your child will be so engaged that he won't even realize he's learning, but he will be. Taking 20 minutes a day away from television and using BRIGHT MINDS products instead is the best investment you can make in starting your preschooler on a successful schooling experience. And every child deserves that.