Baby Einstein DVDs...

Liya · Jun 23rd, 2008, 09:40 AM

I just wanted to see what you all think of them. Are they worth looking into/buying for my LO?

Bags4Bubbles · Jun 23rd, 2008, 09:52 AM

My step-sister swears by these, and I got to watch one with her little girl around Christmas time... they were pretty neat. They work in color, shapes, sounds, & letters with a little story- and kept the her attention the entire time.

I'm definitely hoping they have these still when we get around to having kiddos!

ChristyR143 · Jun 23rd, 2008, 10:42 AM

Yes, they are wonderful!! Babies LOVE them!

everything posh · Jun 23rd, 2008, 01:40 PM

my oldest daughter did not like them at all. They had some gaps in between visuals and she lost interest all together. My second daughter on the other hand loves them! I think it's all up to the baby though.

k2sealer · Jun 23rd, 2008, 04:14 PM

My DS when he was little, now 6 years old, would only watch them for a very short while before becoming disinterested in them. I would say, don't waste your money. Besides just about every child expert and pediatrician in the world says TV and videos for children under two years old are a bad idea. Learning shapes, colors, numbers, letters or whatever at an early age is no indication of future success or intelligence.

NoSnowHere · Jun 23rd, 2008, 04:38 PM

My son loves them! Highly recommended.

sosti · Jun 23rd, 2008, 05:13 PM

My BFF loves these for her baby girl who is 1.

bonniec · Jun 23rd, 2008, 09:43 PM

I actually like the Classical Baby DVD set (by HBO, available on Amazon.com) better. But the Einstein series is okay. We bought the entire series (I think it was two sets, 16?DVDs total) and he only liked maybe 6 of them.

gypsumrose · Jun 23rd, 2008, 11:19 PM

I read about a study a couple months ago (on cnn.com I *think*) that basically said that the Baby Einstein DVDs, or any other "educational" dvds actually stunted babies' natural social development and that simply spending time with your child was much more effective. Of course, it depends what you're expecting from them. Temporary babysitter for a moment of rest is a different expectation than requiring it to stimulate your baby developmentally.

bonniec · Jun 24th, 2008, 12:37 AM

What I love about the Classical Baby DVD series is that it does not attempt to be an educational video. Basically, it's a kids' version of a theatrical concert. A baby is leading the orchestra (which is playing classical music), and then the curtain opens and each song has an animated story that plays along with the song. The stories are just so creative and adorable, and these videos are entertaining even for adults.
You can't go wrong with this. This is the baby shower gift I give to EVERYONE. Just gave one this past Saturday.

cherll · Jun 24th, 2008, 12:42 AM

my little one only like the old mcdonald one...lol... so the rest are still sitting there basically unused.

luckygirl83 · Jun 24th, 2008, 12:50 AM

I've actually studied these Baby Einstein dvds in a seminar last year on math education for the early childhood years. I am a PhD student in educational psychology (specializing in early childhood education) so I get to watch a lot of these dvds!! The particular ones I watched, my professor pointed out all the flaws and confusion it would cause for kids learning their numbers.

For example, there is one dvd where numbers are sitting on train cars and the train moves through the tracks, teaching children their numbers. Each car is completely different and doesn't enter the screen by itself (i.e., with another car and number). For 2 year olds, they can't tell whether the narrator is talking about the number on the car (assuming they can read their numbers), the number of wheels on the car, the color, or the elements on the other cars passing off the screen or into the screen. There are a whole bunch of other "problems" (too many to mention!) with these dvds.

In any case, it is best for kids to learn something actively and concretely. Infant and preschool children like to touch and manipulate things, not stare at a screen. Abstract and symbolic thought doesn't come until elementary school-age. You never know what aspect of the screen they are looking at and so the educational value of these dvds are not as high as advertised.

If you have time, let your children explore their environments. Learning shapes through baking or play dough is much more fun and memorable for kids. Just my two cents!

hlchen · Jun 24th, 2008, 04:19 AM

We own these but don't use them. My 2 toddlers rather play and the baby rather watch his older sister and brother. You learn more through play.

Sternchen · Jun 24th, 2008, 04:53 AM

I refuse to plop my kid down in front of the TV and have her watch "educational DVDs".

I'm a big believer in learning through doing, so I do activities with my child where she can feel different textures, see different objects and associate them with words, etc.

rainrowan · Jun 24th, 2008, 10:54 AM

Baby Bach and Baby Mozart are very good visually entertaining DVDs. They go at a slower pace. These were the first in the series.

I don't recommend the others as much. Once Disney took over Baby Einstein, it seemed they sped everything up on their filming and some of the segments feel really jarring to me. I can imagine the commotion would upset the very young.

Jun 23rd, 2008, 09:40 AM	#1
Liya In Need of a 12 Step	Baby Einstein DVDs... I just wanted to see what you all think of them. Are they worth looking into/buying for my LO? Last edited by Liya; Jun 23rd, 2008 at 09:50 AM.

Jun 23rd, 2008, 10:42 AM	#3
ChristyR143 But it was on sale!! Location: Texas	Yes, they are wonderful!! Babies LOVE them! __________________

Jun 23rd, 2008, 01:40 PM	#4
everything posh Member Location: Chicago, Athens, London, San Jose!!	my oldest daughter did not like them at all. They had some gaps in between visuals and she lost interest all together. My second daughter on the other hand loves them! I think it's all up to the baby though. __________________

Jun 23rd, 2008, 04:38 PM	#6
NoSnowHere ♥ Nico ♥ Location: on my iPhone	My son loves them! Highly recommended. __________________ sugar & champ

Jun 23rd, 2008, 11:19 PM	#9
gypsumrose :) Location: IL	I read about a study a couple months ago (on cnn.com I think) that basically said that the Baby Einstein DVDs, or any other "educational" dvds actually stunted babies' natural social development and that simply spending time with your child was much more effective. Of course, it depends what you're expecting from them. Temporary babysitter for a moment of rest is a different expectation than requiring it to stimulate your baby developmentally. __________________ Banned indefinitely, but completely content Check out my babies (bag collection + kitty)

Jun 23rd, 2008, 09:52 AM	#2
Bags4Bubbles Bubbles luvs Bbags Location: Great Lakes, Baby!	My step-sister swears by these, and I got to watch one with her little girl around Christmas time... they were pretty neat. They work in color, shapes, sounds, & letters with a little story- and kept the her attention the entire time. I'm definitely hoping they have these still when we get around to having kiddos!

Jun 23rd, 2008, 04:14 PM	#5
k2sealer Kerri Location: Everett, Washington	My DS when he was little, now 6 years old, would only watch them for a very short while before becoming disinterested in them. I would say, don't waste your money. Besides just about every child expert and pediatrician in the world says TV and videos for children under two years old are a bad idea. Learning shapes, colors, numbers, letters or whatever at an early age is no indication of future success or intelligence.

Jun 23rd, 2008, 05:13 PM	#7
sosti bag obsessed! Location: New York	My BFF loves these for her baby girl who is 1.

Jun 23rd, 2008, 09:43 PM	#8
bonniec Neurotic SAHM by day	I actually like the Classical Baby DVD set (by HBO, available on Amazon.com) better. But the Einstein series is okay. We bought the entire series (I think it was two sets, 16?DVDs total) and he only liked maybe 6 of them.

Jun 24th, 2008, 12:37 AM	#10
bonniec Neurotic SAHM by day	What I love about the Classical Baby DVD series is that it does not attempt to be an educational video. Basically, it's a kids' version of a theatrical concert. A baby is leading the orchestra (which is playing classical music), and then the curtain opens and each song has an animated story that plays along with the song. The stories are just so creative and adorable, and these videos are entertaining even for adults. You can't go wrong with this. This is the baby shower gift I give to EVERYONE. Just gave one this past Saturday.

Jun 24th, 2008, 12:42 AM	#11
cherll juicy on my coach	my little one only like the old mcdonald one...lol... so the rest are still sitting there basically unused.

Jun 24th, 2008, 12:50 AM	#12
luckygirl83 Member Location: New York City	I've actually studied these Baby Einstein dvds in a seminar last year on math education for the early childhood years. I am a PhD student in educational psychology (specializing in early childhood education) so I get to watch a lot of these dvds!! The particular ones I watched, my professor pointed out all the flaws and confusion it would cause for kids learning their numbers. For example, there is one dvd where numbers are sitting on train cars and the train moves through the tracks, teaching children their numbers. Each car is completely different and doesn't enter the screen by itself (i.e., with another car and number). For 2 year olds, they can't tell whether the narrator is talking about the number on the car (assuming they can read their numbers), the number of wheels on the car, the color, or the elements on the other cars passing off the screen or into the screen. There are a whole bunch of other "problems" (too many to mention!) with these dvds. In any case, it is best for kids to learn something actively and concretely. Infant and preschool children like to touch and manipulate things, not stare at a screen. Abstract and symbolic thought doesn't come until elementary school-age. You never know what aspect of the screen they are looking at and so the educational value of these dvds are not as high as advertised. If you have time, let your children explore their environments. Learning shapes through baking or play dough is much more fun and memorable for kids. Just my two cents!

Jun 24th, 2008, 04:19 AM	#13
hlchen Member Location: The Big Apple!	We own these but don't use them. My 2 toddlers rather play and the baby rather watch his older sister and brother. You learn more through play.

Jun 24th, 2008, 04:53 AM	#14
Sternchen We're having a boy!! Location: Beauty RAOK	I refuse to plop my kid down in front of the TV and have her watch "educational DVDs". I'm a big believer in learning through doing, so I do activities with my child where she can feel different textures, see different objects and associate them with words, etc. __________________ My 2 wonderful girls, Nicole (5) and Julia (1) will be big sisters soon! My pregnancy blog

Jun 24th, 2008, 10:54 AM	#15
rainrowan INFJ	Baby Bach and Baby Mozart are very good visually entertaining DVDs. They go at a slower pace. These were the first in the series. I don't recommend the others as much. Once Disney took over Baby Einstein, it seemed they sped everything up on their filming and some of the segments feel really jarring to me. I can imagine the commotion would upset the very young.