I’m not surprised that the Brainy Baby company is cranking up its PR machine to make sure we all know about a new study in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Children and Media. Researchers have found that eighteen to twenty four-month-olds can learn to identify a shape from the popular DVDs. After all, the Brainy Baby executives want to keep their sales numbers up in the face of growing skepticism about the benefits of baby videos. I wasn’t surprised by the study’s results either. Why wouldn’t a video lesson teach toddlers to recognize a shape?
The question is not whether baby DVDs can teach. Of course, they can. The more important questions are, “What else are they teaching?” and, “Aren’t there better ways for children to learn without unintended negative consequences?“ My objection to baby media has never been about content. Who can quarrel with shapes, colors, and music? My problem is that these products are wiring babies’ brains to orient to electronic screens before they can even walk or utter their first words. Moreover they are wiring the tiny brains to expect a steady diet of electronic entertainment.
Which is a richer experience? A baby watching a DVD about shapes or a baby handling, mouthing, building and matching real shapes while talking laughing and snuggling with a caring adult? No contest as far as I’m concerned.
Kids will be mesmerized by screens soon enough. Let’s pay more attention to giving them as much real world learning as possible.
Tags: Baby Media, Brain Development, Early childhood, Learning
Very well said! My wish is for ALL parents to understand this. Babies can be making such valuable brain connections through interactive sensory experiences. It is sad that too many adults still believe “educational” DVD’s and television programs are good for brain development.
Thank you for your contribution to creating further understanding!
Deborah
Pretty weak argument, Dr. Walsh. I mean really… the entire community screams and demands proof about these baby videos and when we finally get some solid science, you are still bent on giving them a black eye. Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water!! Hats off to Brainy Baby for getting a major University to study their products. Remember, the study could have just as easily been negative, but it wasn’t. It was POSITIVE and now millions of children will benefit!
Your argument (and your opinion) is also weak, because babies are exposed to electronic screens from birth. Even prenatal! The delivery room is full of screens. The drive home from the hospital had a DVD screen in the back seat. And you can bet that Mom or Dad will let the little tyke play with their IPhone while at home.
What are you afraid of Dr. Walsh? No one at Brain Baby suggests that one of their DVDs will ever replace holding a child on your lap and teaching them. Brainy Baby also does not suggest that you sit your kid in front of the TV all day either. In fact, if you bothered to READ the Parent Guide that comes in every Brainy DVD, you will see that the company encourages parents to “Turn Off The TV” and practice moderation with their learning tools! How exactly is this big bad company hurting my child and how exactly is this a sign of the company “cranking up their PR machine”?
Honestly, I am really disgusted and tired of “professionals” like you telling me what is right and wrong and then don’t even bother to get the facts correct! Sounds like your angry and venting in the wrong direction. Leave these hard working companies alone. They should be applauded and parents should stand up and support them. I like the products they make and I want them to make more. Keep your opinion to yourself, please! Stop confusing innocent parents.
I couldn’t agree with you more! For the woman who posted above (although I’m guessing she’ll never check back here) and anyone else who may question here are just two of the many many articles and reports out there:
Recent study about the detrimental affects of TV watching in young children.
http://www.whitedot.org/issue/iss_story.asp?slug=ADHD%20Toddlers
Recall on Baby Einstein videos due to ineffective content and misleading advertising (calling them “educational”.) Why would Disney refund your money if they thought they could otherwise defend their product??
I’ve even read reports that indicate having the television on in the background, even if the child can’t see it, can also have a negative impact on their development because 1) parents speak fewer words when they’re distracted by the television thus decreasing the amount of verbal interaction with the child which in turn has been shown to lead to decreased vocabulary and 2) there is question that the constant “chatter” of the television affects the infants ability to develop and “internal monologue”, to become aware of his own thoughts. I find it ironic that people claim the benefit is a few minutes of “peace and quiet.” It ‘sounds’ like they may have a skewed definition of quiet. I’ll take the natural noise of children any day.
Whoops, forgot the second link for the Baby Einstein video:
http://education-portal.com/articles/Baby_Einstein_Recall_Refunds_Offered_on_Educational_DVDs.html