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say no to baby einstein

hello friends.

commercial free childhood

As parents, we care so much. In our desire to provide our children with the best possible everything, we are vulnerable to marketing and commercialism. Let's think deeply about what children truly need.

Take Baby Einstein for example. Recent research published in Journal of Pediatrics shows that every hour spent watching baby videos is associated with slower language development. The claims that the baby video industry makes are false.

There is currently a complaint under review against Baby Einsten, Brainy Baby, and BabyFirstTV for false and deceptive marketing.

So what's a caring parent to do?

Spend time with your children doing simple things.

Wear them as much and as long as possible to expose them to the world from your point of view.

Speak to them like the capable, bright people that they are. (mommy do that for you? kind of "baby talk" is not necessary)

Spend time in nature together.

Surround them with beauty.

Buy fewer toys of higher quality (check out www.walkingsticktoys.com). Choose natural materials-wood, silk, wool and be sure the toys are simple because these will draw out your child's imagination.

Here's an idea...take half of all the toys in the playroom and put them away for a month or two. Then swap them when your children seem ready for a change.

Create art together. Books I'm enjoying to help me with this are:
Toymaking with Children (Freya Jaffke)
Painting with Children (Brunhild Muller)

When you are desperate for a break, instead of popping in a video, reconsider what really needs doing and open your mind to other possibilities. Can you make a simpler dinner? Can your child be involved in helping? Could you take a bath together and reconnect? Explain how you are feeling and ask your child for help. Call a friend to come over and help you. In your most desperate moments, close your eyes and ask the universe to lend you a hand! You'll be astonished at what shows up for you.

During the first seven years of life, our children are especially sensitive and in need of protection from commercial, or other detrimental influences.

Be a shield for your child.

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