We actually watch a lot of tv in our house...probably more than we should. We do guide Beth into watching kid shows that we approve of. I don't mind Nick Jr. (Dora, Diego, Blues Clues, etc,), PBS or Playhouse Disney (Doodlebops, Little Einsteins, Higglytown Heroes, etc.) and I prefer them over other shows such as Spongebob and Power Rangers. We also have a truckload of appropriate DVDs for her to watch ...and she does so often.
That said as an older infant/small toddler Bethany HATED the Baby Einstein DVD we had. I think it was the first one. As a former musician the music was almost impossible for me to listen to it was so poorly done, and the images just weren't engaging for Beth at all. During the same time frame she LOVED Elmo...could watch it forever.
I do however really like the new show on Playhouse Disney made by the same people that did Baby Einstein... Little Einsteins. It is all about music, tempo and instrumentation. They take a passage from a well known piece of classical music and make it the theme for each show...along w/ pieces of artwork. Bethany really loves it and has learned a lot.. even more than she knew before the show coming from two "musical" parents.
I know that many people swear by BE but we found other things that engaged our children that WE enjoyed more.
Oh and FWIW, Ben just LOVES to watch downhill skiing. He was transfixed on it the other day and Bethany is TOTALLY into the Olympics. We sat with her blowup globe during opening ceremonies and found each country as their athletes walked into the stadium. She also has a fixation w/ Sean White aka "The Flying Tomato"...thinks his name is hilarious and has enjoyed watching him compete. Ugh...looks like I'll have a dreaded snowboarder in my house! (dh and I are skiers).
That said as an older infant/small toddler Bethany HATED the Baby Einstein DVD we had. I think it was the first one. As a former musician the music was almost impossible for me to listen to it was so poorly done, and the images just weren't engaging for Beth at all. During the same time frame she LOVED Elmo...could watch it forever.
I do however really like the new show on Playhouse Disney made by the same people that did Baby Einstein... Little Einsteins. It is all about music, tempo and instrumentation. They take a passage from a well known piece of classical music and make it the theme for each show...along w/ pieces of artwork. Bethany really loves it and has learned a lot.. even more than she knew before the show coming from two "musical" parents.
I know that many people swear by BE but we found other things that engaged our children that WE enjoyed more.
Oh and FWIW, Ben just LOVES to watch downhill skiing. He was transfixed on it the other day and Bethany is TOTALLY into the Olympics. We sat with her blowup globe during opening ceremonies and found each country as their athletes walked into the stadium. She also has a fixation w/ Sean White aka "The Flying Tomato"...thinks his name is hilarious and has enjoyed watching him compete. Ugh...looks like I'll have a dreaded snowboarder in my house! (dh and I are skiers).
