“Can television make children smarter?” Some programs imply so, either by their title, “Baby Einstein,”, or their claims, “Your Baby Can Read!” Yet the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends “no screen media for children younger than 2.”1

Dr. John Feierabend of the University of Hartford would agree. Time spent watching television is time taken away from other developmental opportunities, including interaction with parents. Concerning products like “Baby Einstein,” Feierabend encourages parents to “know what the research shows” about these videos.

One problem with programs for babies is that they tend to be passive in nature and show images on the screen that do not connect with language. The videos are more about entertaining than educating (the TV as a “babysitter.) According to a 1999 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies who watched TV had shorter attention spans than those who did not watch TV2

A study by Children’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, published in the March, 2009, issue of Pediatrics indicates that a “growing body of evidence” shows that viewing television has “no beneficial effect on language and visual motor skills.”3

In another project, Rebekah Richert of the University of California, Riverside, concluded that there was “no evidence of [toddlers] learning words from watching video.” 4

Babies learn by:
1) face-to-face interaction
2) manipulating their physical environment
3) open-ended problem –solving situations 5

“We know that electronic screens don’t give you any of that,” says Dr. Michael Rich, co-author of the Harvard study. “The risks…outweigh the benefits, all of which remain unproven.”6

Infant researcher Robert Titzer, PhD, challenged that study for failing to distinguish the content of the programs studied.7

In 2007, the University of Washington reported more specifically on the “Baby Einstein” and “Brainy Baby” DVDs. Babies who watched these programs had lower vocabularies than babies who did not watch the DVDs. There was also a correlation involved: “the more time spent watching [these shows] the lower the child’s vocabulary.”8

Random pictures set to music does not cause new synapses to join logically, so it would be better to simply listen to the music.9

Titzer developed the “Your Baby Can Read!” program in an effort to create videos that would be:

-interactive, not passive
-multi-sensory: what babies see and hear on-screen should connect logically, and babies are encouraged to say words and do related actions
-beneficial in teaching something of lasting value
-teach language skills along with other topics
-used when no better option (for live learning/interaction) is available10

Titzer’s program attempts to use television as a teaching tool. This is also the goal behind the “Baby Signs”11 videos and books, which connect images with words and promote live interaction between parents and babies who use signs (and words) to communicate. These products are as much for parents as they are for children.

Parents who agree that babies should have limited, educational TV or no TV may be wondering: what about my older child?

As reported in the September edition of “Music Notes,” the PBS show, “Lomax” earns high marks, offering high quality, educational programming that is interactive and helps develop children’s musical intelligence.12 Based on the teaching methods of Dr. Feierabend, each episode includes activities that foster: pitch exploration, call and response singing, singing simple songs, creating songs, movement exploration and expression, and beat and motion movement.

What about shows like “Sesame Street” or “The Wiggles”? Don’t they make attempts to educate children and get them moving? Dr. Feierabend says these shows aren’t interactive enough, and their music is “over-accompanied.” He explains: “Television insists upon certain settings and styles of music. Rock music doesn’t foster the development of a child’s singing voice, because the songs are too loud and unmusical,” and it’s difficult for children to truly hear and learn the melody line of a song when the tune is “camouflaged by so many instruments.” Songs are often pitched too low for children, forcing children into their chest voice as opposed to their head voice. A cappella singing or single-instrument accompaniment (in a higher key) is better for children.

Once the producers of “Lomax” (some of whom had worked on Sesame Street) understood this, their response was something like: Back then, we were using music as a tool to teach; we weren’t really thinking about children’s musical intelligence. We want to do this show better.”13

It is possible for television to be educational, when those who have developed the program understand how children learn. Of course, even the best that television offers cannot compare to the loving, enthusiastic interaction of parents with their children.

If you really want to develop your baby’s intelligence and musical abilities…turn off the TV and play and sing together.

Join the discussion on the WeJoySing Facebook page.

A Note from Mrs. Jo
Television and video provides your child with visual input. Research indicates that for this visual input to “connect educationally” in the brain, the viewer must respond verbally or with movement. The viewer must be actively involved. As my 2.5 year old grandson watches WeJoySing videos he JOYFULLY relives his class time, doing everything. “Super Why,” one of his and my favorite PBS programs, causes him to shout out letters, point, and move! WOW!

However, research strongly indicates that LIVE interaction with your child is always the best. What better place to play together than at WeJoySing! And then, take these activities home and PLAY all week! If you haven’t signed up for fall yet, it’s not too late! Classes are prorated; call the office at 1-877-299-8138.

1)Price, Rita “Videos won’t make your Babies Smarter, Study Suggests” The Columbus Dispatch, April 3, 2009.
2) Titzer, Robert, PhD, “Using the Your Baby Can Read Program,” p. 41.
3-6) Price, Rita “Videos won’t make your Babies Smarter, Study Suggests” The Columbus Dispatch, April 3, 2009.
7-8) Titzer, Robert, PhD, “Using the Your Baby Can Read Program,” p. 41.
9-10) -----------------, p. 39.
11 Acredolo, Linda, PhD and Dr. Susan Goodwyn, Baby Signs see www.babysigns.com for more information
12 Article archived at www.wejoysing.com .
13 Information from WeJoySing’s interview with Dr. John Feierabend, May 27, 2009. For more information on products available from John Feierabend, visit www.giamusic.com