Hi Mag
Both Shichida and GD method are right brain training methods. The one main difference is that GD is homebased and Shichida is classroom based (although parents have to do 'homework' for it to be effective).
Im using the GD method for my son. GD believes that the best teacher is the primary care giver or the mother. it is a very warm, homebased concept in teaching.
Pros of GD
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1. You craft and decide what you want your son to learn (The words, the concepts)
2. You can actually make your own cards, in fact that was what GD suggested, rather than buying those ready made cards.
COns
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1. Can be quite tedious when you implement the entire programme. Coz other than flashcards, you are encouraged to make them more 'real life' for your child (either through games, activities or books)..i make some home made power point books...
Shichida, i cant help much. i didnt like it as it was classroom based,w hich i felt wasnt the right thing to do given my son's age. In fact, i find it a very japanese idea (too culturally loaded for me to buy the idea). also, i read the book and decided im not comfortable with some ideas inside. Eg. ESP and stuff (not that it doesnt work or wont make my son smarter, but i do not agree with certain ideas...)
Frankly, you should just get any of the GD books to get a better idea. In fact, there is a seminar coming this march, why not attend it and see for yourself...
As for whether it works, yes it does. my son is considered not very advanced for his age, but he can read some words, and has very strong receptive vocab (but weak productive lah, cant help with that).At 15mths, he could understand complex instructions like 'go to the bathroom, take the toothbrush and give it to daddy'
of course, many others (esp girls) will have more astounding stories to tell of the possibilities with GD or Shichida...
