EarlyStories: On Journalism, Children and Learning

Newsweek Picks up on Mead's "Brainy" Critique

Barbara Kantrowitz of Newsweek explored the overselling of baby technology in an article in the April 23rd edition.Here's her lede:

You see them everywhere: harried parents hauling their little ones off to classes in Mandarin, gymnastics or classical violin. At home, they're filling nurseries with "educational" rattles and mobiles. It's all for a worthy goal: making the most of the first three years of life, when critical changes in brain structure determine whether little Madison or Matthew will one day enter the Ivy League. At least that is what a growing number of parents have been led to believe. Sadly, it may all be a waste of time and money.

Newsweek also has an audio chat with Sara Mead on the topic.

brainy-baby-logo.pngBrainy Baby® does acknowledge some of the issues on its web site. The company says its "products always work best when adults use them interactively with their child. When using a DVD, for example, watch it with your child, talk about what you see, and repeat the names of new things, just as you do when reading a book together. Interaction between parent and child is a key ingredient to getting the most out of our Brainy Baby® products.

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