Note to Parents: Disney is offering a refund to any parent who sends in their Baby Einstein videos.
November 4, 2009
The Baby Einstein videos were marketed to parents with young children (newborn-toddler), with the implication that they would turn your child into a genius.
Baby Einstein, founded in 1997, was part of a large electronic media market for babies and toddlers. An article on the NY Times website said “According to a 2003 study, a third of all American babies from 6 months to 2 years old had at least one “Baby Einstein” video.”
Walt Disney Company is now offering refunds for Baby Einstein videos. Why the refund? Not only did the video not turn babies into geniuses, but their claim that the video had educational merit was flawed.
It is essential to have accurate information to make the right choices about how much technology is good for young children. “The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time at all for children under 2.”
I am in complete agreement with the comments from Ms. Rideout, Vice President of the Kaiser Family Foundation “My impression is that parents really believe these videos are good for their children, or at the very least, not really bad for them,” “To me, the most important thing is reminding parents that getting down on the floor to play with children is the most educational thing they can do.”
Sesame Street has a Birthday!
November 4, 2009
Happy 40th Birthday to Ernie and Bert, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, the Count, Elmo, Kermit and of course, Snuffleupagus (at 40 years of age, I hope he has finally grown into his name). An interesting piece of Sesame Street lore: Snuffleupagus used to be Big Bird’s imaginary friend until parents complained […]
Parents or Teachers: Who influences your child success?
October 22, 2009
The Wall Street Journal ran an article about a new school called the Equity Project, “premised on the theory that excellent teachers—and not revolutionary technology, talented principals or small class size—are the critical ingredient for success.” The Michigan Department of Education conducted a survey and found that more than budgets or teachers, parents are the […]
How best to first meet, Where the Wild Things Are?
October 9, 2009
As some of you may know, on October 16 Where The Wild Things Are is coming out as a movie. Although the book was never a favorite of mine, many people sing it’s praises, along with the committee that conferred upon it the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1963. The compelling question becomes— is it better […]
Happy Belated Birthday, Shel Silverstein
October 1, 2009
Last week (September 25) marked Shel Silverstein’s birthday. Here is one of my favorite poems by him: Mr. Grumpledump’s Song Everything’s wrong, Days are too long, Sunshine’s too hot, Wind is too strong. Clouds are too fluffy, Grass is too green, Ground is too dusty, Sheets are too clean. Stars are too twinkly, Moon is […]
