One of the things we take great pride in at Better Parenting University, is that we provide practical advice to parents.  All the controversy of late, in regards to the Baby Einstein videos has just gotten way out hand.  Too many people are not seeing the practical picture. Consider this:

A few years ago I was asked to help to launch Baby Einstein in [the UK]. I was put off by the name – images of overzealous parents hot-housing their small children in the vain hope of growing their IQs – and became more dubious when I looked at the content, which was mainly coloured patterns and music reminiscent of Fantasia, but nowhere near as attractive. I couldn’t see what this was doing for babies, so I declined.

There are now a number of similar ranges, many having names that contain the same questionable promise – Brainy Baby, Baby Bright, which claims a scientific approach, and Baby IQ which has harnessed no less a mentor than the London Symphony Orchestra. Most of these titles consist of live action or simple animation and show bright patterns, other babies and basic scenes involving animals, nature, abstracts etc.

Overall, the content of these DVDs promotes passive viewing by a baby rather than using the DVD platform as an opportunity for interactive play with a parent or carer. The majority suggest that the baby will benefit intellectually from absorbing the visual and aural content. I’m aware of no credible scientific data to back up these claims and there’s no supporting material to help to guide or reassure parents. In short, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that these are products with no real benefit to babies and give parents a false notion that watching television can improve a child’s intelligence.

All parents have a fervent desire to ensure that their children are given the best possible chance to realise their full potential. Most parents, however, are unaware that babies start to develop their brain-power from the moment that they are born. They’re wired to communicate and, moments after birth, will poke out their tongues at you if you talk animatedly while making eye-contact. They’re already developing learning skills, memory and understanding…

Brain connections grow every time that babies think and every time they move their bodies, particularly when a parent or carer is playing, talking or singing. In this nourishing environment babies’ learning opportunities are unlimited. So a baby’s brain starts to sift, sort, analyse, assess and memorise at a breath-taking pace all through the first year and nearly as rapidly during the second and third years…

In babies, the prefrontal cortex grows massively in the first 12 months because it’s used for learning, thinking, memorising, expressing personality and fine-tuning social behaviour. This, in turn, cannot happen without a loving, caring, interested adult. What parents should know is that it isn’t hearing Mozart or seeing coloured images that promotes brain development, it’s hearing a care-giver’s voice, seeing the face and interacting lovingly that makes all the difference.

Here’s the deal -if you, as a parent are using, or have used these DVD’s as a primary learning tool for your toddler in place of parent-child interaction, then, YES, there is a problem.

However, if you are a typical parent who is just busy during the day, trying to run your home, work, family etc., and you place your child in front of the TV to watch a Baby Einstein video just so your little one is occupied and safe while you unload the dishwasher, there really is no cause for alarm. Like anything, it is about balance. Your child may not become a Einstein while watching these videos, but is it any worse than watching any other TV? No.

There is not a single consulting doctor, psychologist, mental health professional or parent at Better Parenting University who believes these videos are harmful when used in balance with parental love and attention.

So, take those DVDs out of the garage sale bin!

Via The Times