Comments on: Baby Essentials That Aren't, Part 6: Baby Brain Boosters

By: SMiaVS

SMiaVS — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:26:44 +0000

Ok, here I have to disagree a bit. The actual products geared toward making a baby “smarter” are ridiculous, but some basic, early education is essential. Exposure to music HAS been proven to improve a child’s learning abilities. I currently work in a (bilingual) preschool that focuses on music and art. The children (ages 2-5) are more advanced–in every area–than any of the children I worked with in the past. In addition to acquiring early reading and math skills, the kindergarteners leave the program able draw, read music, and recognize names like Mozart and Matisse. School performances include three year-olds playing the violin and five year-olds playing the cello (at a very basic level). They kids ADORE it. Music and theatre are their favorite parts of the day. They sing their music lessons (of the do re mi variety) on the way to the park, at lunch, etc. The school’s curriculum, by the way, is based on the Montessori method. Also, I live in Europe (France) and on most of the continent, most children are in school by the age of two or three (which, on average, is younger than American kids). There has actually been discussion regarding lowering the required age (currently three) by a year. Also, children need to be social as much as adults do, and that is (or should be) the primary focus of early education programs.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 02:06:46 +0000

I love this! I will be a first time mom in October and my agonizing over whether I need an infant car seat just in case (even though I planned on babywearing) is what first led me to this series. Finally a straightforward no-nonsense answer! I think that article makes perfect sense and this one… This is exactly what I believed already about elaborate toys, etc. I think *learning to use imagination* is much more valuable than learning via educational video. But as a first time mom I have very little confidence in my own gut instincts!!! Lol it is so comforting to hear reassurance that despite what the media may say, I will not be depriving my child by letting her play instead of watching baby Einstein.

By: On Baby Gifts and Registries « A Life in Season

On Baby Gifts and Registries « A Life in Season — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:23:26 +0000

[...] — they are very pro-car seat!), strollers, diapers (thought-provoking!), baby bathtubs, baby brain boosters, and (this is the one I found most fascinating) baby [...]

By: L

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:10:27 +0000

I so laugh at those “educational” videos and electronic toys! I do believe kids learn a lot through being read to and normal things like blocks though

By: Genius Starts with “Sickly” Youths

Genius Starts with “Sickly” Youths — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:18:52 +0000

[...] least, I believe, if those kiddos spend the indoor time constructively instead of parked in front of the boob tube. Instead of spending all that time on the basketball court or baseball field, the kid becomes the [...]

By: Jillian

Jillian — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:34:12 +0000

Great!
This goes hand in hand with the Waldorf Education.
All natural and normal

By: Crimson Wife

Crimson Wife — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:02:21 +0000

Although there are plenty of great reasons to breastfeed, the actual increase in IQ once all the other confounding factors like maternal education and income are controlled for is only around 1.5 points. That’s statistically significant but doesn’t make much of a difference IRL.

In an ideal world, all moms would easily be able to exclusively breastfeed for a year or longer. But we live in the real world, and that’s not possible for some (like me with my oldest) or practical for many. Moms have enough guilt over giving their babies formula as it is without having to worry about overexaggerated effects on IQ.

By: Amy Jussel

Amy Jussel — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:13:25 +0000

Love, love LOVE this series, Heather…

This meaty post on the brain booster bit has long been a thorn in the side of this media maven, as you can see here in this Shaping Youth post about the Brainy Baby and Einstein kid vid crud:

The Electronic Pacifier: No TV for kids under two!! http://blog.shapingyouth.org/?p=125

I’d also recommend Dr. Susan Linn’s book “The Case for Make Believe” as she details at length how free play supersedes all when it comes to developmental exploration to quote my favorite phrase in her book, “All the world’s a toy to a baby.”

She emphasizes the tactile, auditory, and motor skills stim that comes from exploring the world around them rather than consuming a pre-packaged ‘brain’ builder from the baby media industry which actually has the OPPOSITE effect: http://blog.shapingyouth.org/?p=1681

Also love the book “Buy, Buy Baby” to put it all in perspective of who’s controlling the conversation about what kids ‘need’ for brain stim.

Nature, outdoors, parents’ faces, sensual/tactile cause and effect learning…THIS is what babies ‘need.’

Fabulous series, Heather!

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:05:22 +0000

Finally common sense prevails! When “they” (the experts or whoever they are) tell you need something, what is really being said is “We really want to lock you and your child into being a life time hoarder and consumer”! And we’ve bought into for generations! No thanks!!!