Baby Einstein Doesn't Turn Babies into Geniuses?
Monday October 26, 2009
Have you heard that Disney is offering people the opportunity to get a refund on Baby Einstein DVDs? It seems that Disney is admitting something that parents of gifted kids already know -- you can't turn a baby into a genius by showing videos -- or really by doing anything else. This is not to say that all parents shouldn't help their children make the most of their abilities, but is it really possible to turn every child into a genius Into a gifted child?
Let's put the debate over nature versus nature aside, and look at why Disney is really offering this refund. The concern is not whether it is possible to make a child gifted if he or she isn't to begin with, but whether watching videos is good for babies, and decidedly it is not. Lisa DeLuca, in her article about the Baby Einstein refund, discusses the research that proves that it is not good for babies to watch TV, even videos.
If you bought Baby Einstein video between June 5, 2004, and September 4, 2009, and want a refund, you can go to the Baby Einstein Web site and apply for the refund.
Let's put the debate over nature versus nature aside, and look at why Disney is really offering this refund. The concern is not whether it is possible to make a child gifted if he or she isn't to begin with, but whether watching videos is good for babies, and decidedly it is not. Lisa DeLuca, in her article about the Baby Einstein refund, discusses the research that proves that it is not good for babies to watch TV, even videos.
If you bought Baby Einstein video between June 5, 2004, and September 4, 2009, and want a refund, you can go to the Baby Einstein Web site and apply for the refund.
I want to share my story, well our story. Our son is gifted and highly observant to his environment. I was very wary of ‘claims’ on DVD’s to make anyone into anything but after watching a couple of the Baby Einstein’s we saw value there for our family and situation. The DVD’s did (and still do at just over 4 years old) help him relax and enjoy ‘the moment’ rather than being distracted by the busy place life is. He had to learn, like us, to slow down and enjoy the sights and sounds of things random and lovely. When he is sick, over tired or sad the DVD’s help him relax and that relaxed boy has a much better day after a little ‘pit stop’ with Baby Neptune or Baby Galileo. I won’t be sending my DVD’s back and won’t be asking for a refund because they do for us what we needed, and they still do. Easiest way for me to know when he is feeling down? When he says, “I need to watch one of my Baby DVD’s and cuddle” so we do. He didn’t watch them endlessly and alone. They have value for us and I won’t ever apologize for that
Shanyn, I think you have quite clearly demonstrated one difference between gifted kids and other kids. Videos like these are helpful in quenching the seemingly unquenchable thirst gifted kids have for knowledge, their “rage to learn.” We don’t use these things to make our kids gifted, but to nurture the gifts they already have.