Maybe Now I *Get* Baby Einstein

We received several of the Baby Einstein videos as gifts before our daughter arrived.  I assumed from the brand name that they were educational in nature, and we were pleased to have them.

Although we're not big on television for ourselves, occasionally we rev up the VCR and let Pearl watch.  This little girl is completely mesmerized by television, and not just Baby Einstein.  She likes anything on TV, and sometimes when the set is off, she shakes it as if to wake it up. 

I'm not sure what I expected the first time I experienced the Baby E phenomenon, but I was definitely surprised.  The ones we have (Bach & Mozart) show toys, often in motion, against a plain background.  So picture this: 20 seconds of watching a top spin, 20 seconds of watching a candle burn,  20 seconds of a lava lamp gurgling, and so on. 

I may have gone to college forever, but I've never taken a psychology course in my life, so if you can explain the developmental aspect of these videos, please do.  I find them puzzling. 

The most perplexing part, though, is when Madame Baby Einstein (Julie Aigner-Clark is her real name) explains at the end of the tape that the series is meant to be INTERACTIVE.  As she enlightens us, we see a parent sitting beside a baby, and as the baby watches a puppet on the TV screen, the parent waves a puppet-covered hand at baby from the other side.  Who would do that?

But this week brought along an epiphany!  Consult the photo above and you will see Baby Pearl touching and tapping the screen, even kissing it on occasion.  She is INTERACTING with the Baby Einstein video.  I guess this is an example of how the younger generation is going to find the answers to our most burning questions.  She sure solved this mystery.

Comments

[Diane]

What a cute baby! My neice is mesmorized by the Baby Einstein shows too. I think it has something to do with the simple images and the bright colors that is so attractive to growing minds. I think they are a great cure for insomnia for parents!

[shannon]

I find it all very weird.
But I'll admit I used to leave my little t.v. on during the workday when my cat was locked in my room alone, and I caught him mesmerized once by the teletubbies.

[Chelsea]

Yeah, I've noticed the same thing going on with Baby E when I babysit some of my parents' friends' children. I put in a Baby E video and boom, they're GONE to Baby E World. I'm just as puzzled as you are.

[Robin P]

First of all my problem with your blog must've been just because I was at work. It was absolutely bizarre and I thought your blog had the problem....sorry!!

We never did the Baby E thing but Lillianna LOVED the Kids Songs videos. She could sing and dance to those videos for hours and hours. Educational? Heck no! Fun? OH Baby!!!

[Elise]

I think the whole "developmental toy" thing is a little over the top, but I have to agree that there is something about Baby Einstein that kids just love. I agree with Diane's theory - simple images and bright colors. The moving toys and the nice pleasant music are really relaxing but also kind of mesmerizing. I've found myself zoning out to Baby Bach more than a few times! My daughter loves them - she plunks down on the couch and says, "Baby watch!" It took us a while before we realized what she was saying. I do think that the developmental toy and video industry is a little ridiculous, but I'm glad to have nice things for my kid to enjoy that I can feel comfortable about. That alone is enough for me.

[Suzanne]

I have only one Baby Einstein video (the Shakespeare one), and my son wasn't especially enamored of it. Good thing, too, for that leaves us so much more time to worship at the Altar of Elmo!

[Chloe]

Lilliana loooooooooooooooves Baby Einstein! WE got the whole 14 DVD set and there are times where we can't be in front of her because she is trying to look at it... and her whole body moves from side to side LOL. It is too funny! :)

[Karen]

My son likes the baby einstein videos too -- but he absolutely adores Jack the Cuddly Dog. No toys in this video! Classical music, animals, shapes, colors, voice-over by a Big Kid (she's maybe 7)--what more could a baby ask for? I've never seen it in a store, but if you are desperate for something new you can see a clip at www.jackthecuddlydog.com. I'm pretty sure you can order it there, too.