Comments on: Dr. Titzer’s Response to the Baby Einstein Articles http://babiesreading.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/dr-titzers-response-to-the-baby-einstein-articles/ Just another WordPress.com weblog Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:59:51 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Dr. Titzer http://babiesreading.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/dr-titzers-response-to-the-baby-einstein-articles/#comment-47 Dr. Titzer Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:19:28 +0000 http://babiesreading.wordpress.com/?p=37#comment-47 Hello Macy, Thank you for your question. I think “Dora the Explorer” is an entertainment-based program that has very little educational value compared to teaching reading. I know that it is interactive, but what is it teaching of lasting value? Many people think this show teaches Spanish. When a child is learning a second language, you are supposed to speak in complete thoughts in English and in complete thoughts in the second language. You are not supposed to mix the two languages, but that is what is done on “Dora the Explorer.” They often say the last word of a sentence in Spanish. This is not how babies and toddlers should learn second languages and it is confusing. I know that it is entertaining, but I strongly recommend that you not introduce entertainment-based TV shows until the child is already reading. My children rarely watched any TV shows throughout their childhoods and it certainly allowed them to have more time for many other activities and interests. It is much easier to not introduce non-educational shows than it is to eliminate them. Please let me know how it goes. Dr. Bob Titzer Hello Macy,

Thank you for your question.

I think “Dora the Explorer” is an entertainment-based program that has very little educational value compared to teaching reading. I know that it is interactive, but what is it teaching of lasting value? Many people think this show teaches Spanish. When a child is learning a second language, you are supposed to speak in complete thoughts in English and in complete thoughts in the second language. You are not supposed to mix the two languages, but that is what is done on “Dora the Explorer.” They often say the last word of a sentence in Spanish. This is not how babies and toddlers should learn second languages and it is confusing. I know that it is entertaining, but I strongly recommend that you not introduce entertainment-based TV shows until the child is already reading. My children rarely watched any TV shows throughout their childhoods and it certainly allowed them to have more time for many other activities and interests. It is much easier to not introduce non-educational shows than it is to eliminate them. Please let me know how it goes.

Dr. Bob Titzer

]]> By: Macy Jackson http://babiesreading.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/dr-titzers-response-to-the-baby-einstein-articles/#comment-46 Macy Jackson Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:08:38 +0000 http://babiesreading.wordpress.com/?p=37#comment-46 I got your set of 5 DVDs for my daughter when she was 8 months old and she is now 2 and a half and we love them! We haven’t been watching them as much as we used to but she can still read several words-which is much more than her peers. Also, I have been teaching her words on my own through little word games to supplement the videos. I was wondering your opinion on Dora the Explorer for toddlers. As I was reading your blog you mentioned that DVDs should be interactive which Dora is very much so. I feel like my daughter learns a lot from them. What do you think? I got your set of 5 DVDs for my daughter when she was 8 months old and she is now 2 and a half and we love them! We haven’t been watching them as much as we used to but she can still read several words-which is much more than her peers. Also, I have been teaching her words on my own through little word games to supplement the videos.

I was wondering your opinion on Dora the Explorer for toddlers. As I was reading your blog you mentioned that DVDs should be interactive which Dora is very much so. I feel like my daughter learns a lot from them. What do you think?

]]> By: LeeAnn Everly http://babiesreading.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/dr-titzers-response-to-the-baby-einstein-articles/#comment-45 LeeAnn Everly Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:07:32 +0000 http://babiesreading.wordpress.com/?p=37#comment-45 Our son Kekoa (Dr. Titzer would know him if he saw him) started at 2 yrs old. Now at 4 he is reading at 2nd grade level. He just started kindergarten. It is a Spanish immersion program. We want him to be as challenged as possible and knew a regular kinder program wouldn’t do that for him because his reading and language skills are so advanced. Now his little sister has started the DVD’s. I’m sure she will follow in her big brothers footsteps. LeeAnn Everly, Chula Vista, CA Our son Kekoa (Dr. Titzer would know him if he saw him) started at 2 yrs old. Now at 4 he is reading at 2nd grade level. He just started kindergarten. It is a Spanish immersion program. We want him to be as challenged as possible and knew a regular kinder program wouldn’t do that for him because his reading and language skills are so advanced.

Now his little sister has started the DVD’s. I’m sure she will follow in her big brothers footsteps.

LeeAnn Everly, Chula Vista, CA

]]> By: Beth York http://babiesreading.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/dr-titzers-response-to-the-baby-einstein-articles/#comment-44 Beth York Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:06:36 +0000 http://babiesreading.wordpress.com/?p=37#comment-44 I couldn’t agree more! This is such a wonderful tool to help parents know the types of activities they can and should do with their children to encourage early reading, better language skills and more learning. Plus, if we have to utilize the television in our parenting, it may as well be of the highest quality while there are SO many tens of thousands of synaptic connections being made every single second! Thank you so much, Dr. Titzer! -Beth York, Usborne Books at Home Sr. Supervisor I couldn’t agree more! This is such a wonderful tool to help parents know the types of activities they can and should do with their children to encourage early reading, better language skills and more learning.

Plus, if we have to utilize the television in our parenting, it may as well be of the highest quality while there are SO many tens of thousands of synaptic connections being made every single second!

Thank you so much, Dr. Titzer!
-Beth York, Usborne Books at Home Sr. Supervisor

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