Film(s): Baby Einstein

This blog entry is a result of some of what we already touched on in lecture, but I went back to further examine the Baby Einstein films and found that the videos are somewhat out of sync with several stages of infant/child development (even when videos are marketed for that particular age group).  As we already established in class, the studies done on the videos show that there are no positive intellectual outcomes from exposure to these films for infants and developing children over 15 months and that it had negative effects for infants 15 months and under (Zimmerman et al, 2008).  I think the main reasons for this is lack of proper stimulation according to stages of development.  Though a busy parent with fussy children may hope that these videos can be a positive intellectual boost for their infant while taking care of personal needs- it really is just a distraction and has little, or no effect on the infant's intellectual development- in some cases it may only train a child to watch TV more frequently.  Because studies show that some exposure to television has little or no effect on a child, television programs that parents could feel comfortable allowing their infants have exposure to must then vary.  

As an alternative- assuming the parent is using this program strictly as a tool for intellectual expansion, they would be better off familiarizing themselves with stages of development and target learning theories that would accommodate such stages of infancy.  However, older ages (past infancy) could benefit from certain television programs aimed at learning, if properly targeting appropriate learning faculties. 

Ultimately, as research proves, LIVE music and reading books with your infant are the most productive ways of helping their language and intellectual development- declaring Baby Einstein videos as a waste of time (and money) if aimed solely at educating your infant.  

For those parents who are loyal Baby Einstein advocates, might do well to consider a lurking variable to their perceived "successful results" after exposing their infant to such videos- that they are in the higher percentile of parents that are more concerned about occupying their infants educationally, therefore other methods that they use may be the reason for seeing an increase in intellect.  Of course parents are entitled to their own opinions, usually in favor of these videos- but research thus far and discrepancies to the cognitive stages of infant development indicate otherwise.