September 12, 2007 9:30 AM
Just say no to Baby Einstein - and rethink TV
From the Los Angeles Times:
'Baby Einstein': a bright idea?Infants shown such educational series end up with poorer vocabularies, study finds. Researcher says 'American Idol' is better.
Parents hoping to raise baby Einsteins by using infant educational videos are actually creating baby Homer Simpsons, according to a new study released today.For every hour a day that babies 8 to 16 months old were shown such popular series as "Brainy Baby" or "Baby Einstein," they knew six to eight fewer words than other children, the study found.
Parents aiming to put their babies on the fast track, even if they are still working on walking, each year buy hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of the videos.
Unfortunately it's all money down the tubes, according to Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Christakis and his colleagues surveyed 1,000 parents in Washington and Minnesota and determined their babies' vocabularies using a set of 90 common baby words, including mommy, nose and choo-choo.
The researchers found that 32% of the babies were shown the videos, and 17% of those were shown them for more than an hour a day, according to the study in the Journal of Pediatrics.
The videos, which are designed to engage a baby's attention, hop from scene to scene with minimal dialogue and include mesmerizing images, like a lava lamp.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television for children under 24 months.
Read entire article here.
Let's repeat that last sentence:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television for children under 24 months.
From Time magazine:
Baby Einstein not so smart after allThe claim always seemed too good to be true: park your infant in front of a video and, in no time, he or she will be talking and getting smarter than the neighbor's kid. In the latest study on the effects of popular videos such as the "Baby Einstein" and "Brainy Baby" series, researchers find that these products may be doing more harm than good. And they may actually delay language development in toddlers.
read entire article here
More food for thought: The American Pediatric Association's take on TV and the Family.
While TV watching is not bad per se, it is optimally used within the family as an activity that brings discussion and togetherness. My kids and I watch American Idol because we love singing and it is a great opportunity to discuss character issues like how we react to criticism. It's obvious that those on the show who are teachable do well, while those who are arrogant and defensive do badly. I could address these issues myself - and I do! - but if a picture says a thousand words, TV and movies can say a million.
As the APA points out - TV for kids under two is just a bad idea, period. TV for kids older is best limited and done together with parents.
Several ideas:
* Get TVs and computers out of bedrooms and into the family room.
* If family members are addicted, go on a TV fast for a few months to break the habit as you forge new ways to relate to each other.
* Instead of parking little ones in front of TV while you do your chores, get your kids involved in helping. Our family motto is "First we work, then we play."
* Get your kids outside for fresh air and exercise as much as possible. Give them the responsibility of finding ways to amuse themselves.
* Set a good example by limiting your own TV watching and being selective about what you watch.
Great resource for parents: Common Sense Media
Posted in Babies, Mothering, Practical Info, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
Thank you for this, Barbara. I can't believe how many of my mommy friends park their kids (sometimes as young as 3 months old!) in front of the television for hours a day.
In studying childhood development and pursuing her Ph.D, a good friend of mine and I were discussing how television affects the developing brain. There have been studies showing that watching television can actually change the way your brain works for a very short time, as an adult. Children, however, especially those who are overexposed, can be affected by permanent brain changes that effectively prevent the child from learning to focus well, and are linked to hyperactivity.
Add to that the offensive commercials, even on daytime television, and it's a good reason to ditch your cable altogether.
Posted by: Emily | September 12, 2007 10:27 AM
This is good. Just think...I've actually felt guilty at times because I've not invested in these "must have" videos. I must not love my children enough to stimulate their brains and imagination in this manner....
I'm a silly girl sometimes, with these thoughts. But on the other hand, I'm thankful that the Lord never impressed upon me that they were important enough to spend money on.
Posted by: Holly | September 13, 2007 8:45 AM
I read this today...
More evidence that TV is bad for kids.
Posted by: Becky | September 14, 2007 1:46 PM
I just had to comment on this because in my opinion if these products (Baby Einstein) are used correctly they actually help children learn about objects, actions and activities in everyday life. You are supposed to sit and interact with your children while watching these programs. My daughter has been watching Baby Einstein since she was 4 months old. She is now 17 months and has a vocabulary of over 100 words in both English and Spanish! I watched the segment on the Today show where they interviewed Julie Clark and I started laughing. Sorry that i have to sorely disagree with this study. My daughter still loves Baby Einstein and is slowly graduating to Little Einsteins.
Posted by: MuniMama | October 17, 2007 2:05 PM
