The Baby Einstein company is now offering a refund on their DVDs purchased in the last five years because one children's health advocacy group says the DVDs were sold under false pretenses. Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood (CCFC) filed an FTC complaint against the Baby Einstein company in 2006 and successfully changed the way the DVDs were marketed - namely that the company could no longer claim the DVDs were educational for babies. However, CCFC wasn't happy with just the change in marketing. The group pushed for compensation for parents who purchased Baby Einstein DVDs thinking they might make baby smarter.
According to CCFC fact sheet, babies who watched a Baby EInstein vocabulary DVD many times showed no additional vocabulary skills versus a control group that did not watch the videos. The group also says there is no evidence of any cognitive benefit to babies watching TV or videos. Also, CCFC notes that the Academy of Pediatrics recommends no time in front of a screen for kids under age two.
My daughter did watch some Baby Einstein when she was under age two. However, her screen time was less for educational benefits and more because I wanted a few peaceful minutes to take a shower. Since the DVDs provided temporary entertainment for my child, I doubt I would seek a refund for them. I never expected the DVDs to make her a genius. If you've used Baby Einstein DVDs with your baby or toddler, what do you think about the company offering refunds? Did you buy the DVDs for the educational concepts? Use the comments box below to share your thoughts.
Poll:Will you seek a refund on Baby Einstein videos because they don't make babies measurably smarter?
More on the new Baby Einstein refund policy:
- Disney Offering Refunds on Baby Einstein DVDs
- Are Baby DVDs Educational? Looks Like Disney's Backed Down on the Debate
I had heard a few years ago that these DVDs weren’t as educational as they claimed, but I did go ahead and buy them a few months ago for my son, and they are proving to be a good way for my child to watch TV (which he loves to do at 6 months old) without me worrying about what he is watching. I also found out today it is a great distraction for him to watch during his breathing treatments! He’s only 6 months old and we have to limit his TV time already, but this is one thing that I don’t have to worry about him watching.
I never bought the Baby Einstein DVDs for either of my daughters ages 4 and 8 months. I did recieve one free with the purchase of infant formula, when my older daughter was 6 months and I had to stop breastfeeding due to needed medications. Brianna, didn’t care for it at all, but she would happily watch Zooboomafoo at that age. It is a science type show about animals. Until she was over 3, she didn’t like any cartoon type shows, preferring to watch shows with puppets, and real adults, animals and chilldren. She didnt’ even watch Dora until last year. She would watch computer animated shows, that appeared to be live action, Like Finding Nemo, still a favourite. I only let her watch TV for 1/2 hour in the morning so I could get dressed and eat breakfast. She was colicy and liked to be held alot. Even now at 4, she watches very little TV. The first time I saw the Baby Einstein DVD’s and it was obvious that Brianna didn’t care for it, preferring her Zooboomafoo, I was not surprised. I found they held little to no education and much in just silly animation. I gave it away for a church flea market. Brianna for baby videos also preferred one called Curious Buddies, put out by Nick Jr. with puppets, children and real people and lots of music and learning. She still watches them and now her 8 month old sister Alyssa loves them as well. Give me a few minutes to say clean the bathroom or have some breakfast etc. They are short only 1/2 hour long. which is more than enough time for an 8 month old to watch TV. When its over we start our regular day. I homeschool my oldest as well.
I would let my daughter watch the First Signs DVD from about 6 months to 10 months, when she was drinking her morning bottle. She picked up every sign they taught in that DVD within those few months and knew what each of them meant. The signing she has learned from the DVD has kept her from getting frustrated by allowing her to tell us what she wants/needs since she’s not verbally talking yet (she’s now 13 months old and still signs). We think it’s a great DVD, as long as you’re not abusing it and using it as a babysitter for your child.
To Margaret-Ann: None of the 9 Baby Einstein DVDs that I own and my 6 month old and 4 year old love have much animation (as in, little to none in most of them), so I was a little confused reading your review. Are you sure you actually watched one before? I know the cover of the DVD usually shows a cartoon-like image, but the actual DVDs mostly show hand puppets, real toys, etc. that you described your child liked to watch. All that I’ve seen Baby Einstein have is hand puppets, showing real movement from real toys, real pictures (like ones from an actual farm, etc) and very LITTLE (as in little to practically NONE) cartoon-like images.
I’ve had these DVDs for 5 years now, so unless the makers of Baby Einstein have changed things around, I’m a bit confused by your comment. I understand that every child is different with different preferences, etc…I was just curious if you didn’t get Baby Einstein mixed up with Little Einsteins (which IS a lot of animation). Either that, or you never actually viewed a Baby Einstein DVD.
I wouldn’t actually classify them as overly “educational”, although my almost-5 year old has learned a lot from them. Like the author of this article, my children enjoy these DVDs not solely for the purpose of “educational” purposes, but for relaxation and some stimulation/something different to look at, with all the bright colors and different and interesting puppets and toys and animals, etc (and for me to snag a few peaceful minutes to myself, as well).
Not trying to start anything, but I just wanted to clarify for others who read the comments that Baby Einstein does not have hardly any animation in it, nor is it a “cartoon-based” like show/DVD.