November 12, 2006 1:54 PM
Important note on product reviews
Since reviewing this product a few days ago, I've received two emails from readers asking me - very politely - what in the world I was thinking.
Dear Barbara,I read your blog daily and appreciate so much your great perspective and wisdom. I love to hear you rate products as you have the experience as a mother and teacher that really lets me know what is worthwhile. I was a little surprised to see your recommendation for the little leaps system. I am sure it is great for kids learning and stimulation, but I am very cautious about very young children being in front of the TV. The American Association of Pediatrics recommends NO screen time for children under 2, and you said the little leaps system is for as young as 9 months. The AAP guidelines can be found here.
I was saddened recently that Sesame Street joined in with Little Einstein to make DVDs for this very young age range. I fear that it encourages parents to let their children watch TV (even though it is educational) rather than let them play with hands on things, like good old fashioned blocks. Just thought I would let you know about these AAP guidelines. Thanks again for your great contributions.
monica
Barbara, I saw your recommendation of the new Leap Frog toy. I don't have any personal experience with the toy but my understanding from your description is that it is used on the TV screen.There isn't much out there in the form of research to know how much "screen" time really is appropriate, especially for an infant. Frantic TV shows, erratic computer games and toys that buzz and flash are all marketed to our children under the guise of being educational. As a mom I'm starting to question this premise.
I highly recommend the book Endangered Minds: Why Our Children Don't Think. We shut down the computer games and TV in our house and I have seen the most amazing changes in our children, ages 14 years to 12 months. They are even sleeping better!
It takes about 50% more effort on my part to suggest activities and supervise their play and of course my house is a bit messier. There are days when I'm tired or irritable and I would love to park the blessings in front of an "educational" video - who doesn't love vegetables singing Bible songs - but we will stay the course.
I suggest this to you because you have access to so many moms. I understand if this isn't your "thing" and you aren't interested. I believe that the TV and computer have become a crutch for tired/busy parents. I also think it's interesting that there aren't any GOOD studies on this subject but that is a whole 'nuther can of worms.
Thanks,
Arden
mom to 7
I have to say these moms are absolutely right and I owe them a major debt of gratitude for speaking up and correcting me.
As I wrote in the original entry, Leap Frog sent me this product hoping for a recommendation. It sat in my office for almost two months before I got around to using it with my kids (I tested it with Justin and Jesse, who are older but have Down syndrome) and then procrastinated for another month before writing the review.
As I also wrote, I've received products I've never reviewed because they weren't anything I would recommend to my readers - like some gourmet coffee that just didn't taste that good at all.
Through the years, I have trusted Leap Frog products and have purchased five or six for my older children. They do produce excellent supplemental learning materials for older children that are not based on computers or screen time - especially products which help with phonics and math tables.
My failure was in letting their general reputation in my mind interfere with the critical analysis I needed to bring to this product. Plus when someone sends you something free, there is the human tendency to want to give a good report.
I was wrong.
By reviewing this product on the pages of MommyLife and leaving the impression that I would recommend it, I have shown a serious lack of judgment and I apologize for that.
You all need to know that anything you find recommended here at MommyLife is something I truly find worthwhile. Please be assured that everything you have ever seen recommended here as a blog entry or on Barbara's Picks are things that meet this criterion. Yes, when you click through those items to Amazon and purchase them there, I receive a small percentage back to support this site. But I do not put things there willy-nilly. And the truth is, I would not put the Little Leaps Learning System there as a permanent recommendation - for all the reasons pointed out by the two gracious readers who wrote me.
The only reason I found the Little Leaps system acceptable was that it couldn't be used by a child without involvement on the parent's part. That seemed preferable to plopping a toddler or baby in front of the TV by himself. (You can read more on my thoughts on this in an entry from September 2005 Rethinking TV)
But if you're going to take the time to interact with your child, why even involve the screen as a third party? Why create a warm foundation which will feed a habit which later can become highly addictive?
One of the things I discussed in my book Ready, Set, Read! is that many parents with good intentions spend hundreds of dollars on programs like Hooked on Phonics, and credit those programs with their child's success - when what really made their child's reading successful was the parental time required to implement the program. You can really teach your child to read for free.
And you can teach your child colors and shapes and everything else for free. That's the simple truth. Life and learning are much more simple and uncluttered affairs than the forces of consumerism in our country want us to believe.
I am so sorry that I betrayed my own basic values and beliefs and for even a few days left you with an impression which would steer you away from what I know to be the truth about our role in our children's lives.
As far as future product reviews, my policy will be to reply to any inquiries with this:
I am happy to receive your product for review – with the understanding that my responsibility to my readers and the high standards I have for products come first. I will not take the time to write a negative review, but unless I can wholeheartedly recommend your product, I will not even review it.
With this upfront statement, I have cleared myself of any feelings of obligation to write a review just because someone sends me something
This has been a learning experience for me. Again, I want to apologize to my readers for my lapse of judgment. I want to assure you that when I learn a lesson, it's for life. And I want to thank Arden and Monica for taking the time to make sure this wrong was made right.
Posted in Babies, Mothering, Product Reviews, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
You're the best Barbara. You've shown quite a bit of integrity in this post. Thanks.
Posted by: Spunky | November 12, 2006 4:28 PM
Dear Barbara, thank you for publicly writing this! I know many parents will still put their babies in front of the TV, but for those who don't know better and are willing to learn good habits early, you are doing a great favor. I posted here recently about stopping TV for my addicted son. http://lipslikehoney.blogspot.com/2006/10/no-tv-makes-little-boys-sweeter.html He has started napping again is is so much happier, developing faster, and it is so worth it. I do want him to watch the Leap Frog dvds I heard he is getting for Christmas, but I am not sure it is worth it. :) Thanks again! Honey
Posted by: Honey | November 12, 2006 7:47 PM
Thanks for your honest post. I was a bit surprised to read your original post, but like you I have found Leap Frog products to be very well made and educational and sometimes overlook the TV factor involved. I used the DVD's with my girls and both are reading well now. I know it's not just the DVD's but rather combined with all the read aloud time we have each day. Thanks again for your post.
Angie
Posted by: Angie Rangel | November 13, 2006 7:00 AM
Thank you so much for this! I was a little surprised to see your review previously, since when I first began seeing advertisements for this product, it seemed so "anti-Montessori". I am not a Montessori teacher, although I do try to implement her philosophy here at home.
Thanks for writing this so quickly, too... my littlest one will be a year old next week and I thought about getting this for her, but now I'll stick to more classical toys.
Posted by: Milehimama | November 13, 2006 8:32 AM
Not specific to the product review, but thank you for the reminder about TV and little ones. It may sound ridiculous, but it wasn't until I read your post that I realized how much TV is on "in the background" in our house while my older two are in school (the youngest is 2). The TV is currently unplugged, it's much quieter here this morning, and my daughter is happily playing with a puzzle.
Posted by: KatieButler | November 14, 2006 8:23 AM
