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 Do the Little Einsteins really make kids smarter?
Are you one of the millions of parents or grandparents watching four young kids take off in their favorite rocket ship, on a mission, set to classical music, alongside your child or grandchild each morning?
The Disney program, Little Einsteins, hit the television screen in October 2005 as a way to introduce art and music in a colorful, fun, and interactive way. The show’s characters visit real locations like the Sydney Opera House and see real artwork like Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” But are our children really learning from all this?
With a name like Little Einsteins, one would think the program should be full of educational value, but Disney has put forth statements as to not overstate the show’s value in terms of education.
“It sparks preschoolers’ imaginations and sends them on the journey of discovering more information…to me the core attribute of Little Einsteins is curiosity and exploration of new things,” said Gary Marsh, president, entertainment, Disney Channel Worldwide.
Pediatricians recommend that children older than two years should limit their television viewing to “high quality educational media,” but there are no standards stating what this is. Few content providers do actual scientific research on the educational benefits of their programs; they focus instead on the entertainment value.
This leaves it up to parents and grandparents to decide for themselves what programs have educational value, and it’s not easy. Especially when the “Little Einstein” in your life emphatically insists that they all do.
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