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Into the Minds of Babes: How Screen Time Affects Children From Birth to Age Five
As a mother, Lisa Guernsey wondered about the influence of television on her two young daughters. As a reporter, she resolved to find out. What she first encountered was tired advice, sensationalized research claims, and a rather draconian mandate from the American Academy of Pediatrics: no TV at all before the age of two. But like many parents, she wanted straight answers...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
September 11th 2007
by Basic Books
(first published September 9th 2007)
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Community Reviews
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307)
Jun 26, 2010
Lisa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
New parents
Shelves:
non-fiction-child-rearing
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends NO television for children under the age of two - a goal I am trying to meet. And I thought I was doing well at making sure my infant daughter isn't watching any television; every time I would catch her mesmerized by the television screen, I'd make sure to distract her. But, sure, the tv was on in the background. I'd play with her in one part of the living room while my husband watched a show; I'd have the television on while I nursed her.
Oh how the...more
Oh how the...more
I loved this book. It was very informational while being easy to read. The author being a mom who struggles with the need to get a bit of time to herself and not wanting her kids in front of the tv all day was helpful. She shared her viewpoints and what she did throughout the book, and it really helped to lend an air of two moms talking, instead of being lectured to. It gave me a ton of really good information. While I still can't seem to keep the tv off as much as I'd like, I feel like I am bet...more
One of the peculiarities of becoming a grandparent (pardon me while I mist up again) is the sudden revival of interest in issues relating to infants. Hence the phenomenon in which I read this book with genuine interest.
Lisa Guernsey is a mother, but also a writer specializing in science and technology, which helps her decipher all those intensely technical papers. The happy result is Into the Minds of Babes, in which we learn how watching television affects the preschool set, according to scient...more
Lisa Guernsey is a mother, but also a writer specializing in science and technology, which helps her decipher all those intensely technical papers. The happy result is Into the Minds of Babes, in which we learn how watching television affects the preschool set, according to scient...more
AKA, a modern parent's apologia. I wish Good Reads would change the middle star rating to be "meh" instead of "I liked it."
I enjoyed the discussion of the available research and the current deficits in the research. I think it provides a good basis for making informed decisions about media-consumption by small children.
I was not crazy about the author's personal reflections. For me, the personal detracts from the subject matter. In general, when discussing this particular topic, I tend to want t...more
I enjoyed the discussion of the available research and the current deficits in the research. I think it provides a good basis for making informed decisions about media-consumption by small children.
I was not crazy about the author's personal reflections. For me, the personal detracts from the subject matter. In general, when discussing this particular topic, I tend to want t...more
Guernsey does a great job of really investigating what the research really says about kids and screen time at different ages. For example, I was under the misconception that "no screen time" for under 2s was mainly about not directly allowing kids to watch tv or videos, but it turns out that background television and radio can be just as bad.
Overall it's a smart, detailed and helpful book for parents... but it has a few big flaws, which is why I demote it to three stars.
First, the book seems dr...more
Overall it's a smart, detailed and helpful book for parents... but it has a few big flaws, which is why I demote it to three stars.
First, the book seems dr...more
Mar 23, 2009
Amber Magnolia Hill
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
parents!
Recommended to Amber Magnolia by:
Anna
To sum it all up: I felt much better about showing my daughter videos after reading this book. (Thank you so much to Anna, my co-blogger at Nourished Mother, for recommending it to me!).
Here's something from the author's website:
"I'm a mother, journalist and researcher who is, shall we say, obsessed with how children learn and what environments help them reach their full potential.
For many years, I have focused on uncovering what science has to tell us about media and the developing mind. Much...more
Here's something from the author's website:
"I'm a mother, journalist and researcher who is, shall we say, obsessed with how children learn and what environments help them reach their full potential.
For many years, I have focused on uncovering what science has to tell us about media and the developing mind. Much...more
view 2 comments
Very academic but personally driven look at all the available data (and hype) regarding young children and all types of media.
In a nutshell: the AAP's ban on under-two is unfounded but time limits of course should exist, the most important factor is the content of the screen time - which should be thoroughly looked into (don't just assume Disney is okay... Did you know that Finding Nemo truly rates as for ages 8+?), and all of this with the caveat that children NEED as much interpersonal intera...more
In a nutshell: the AAP's ban on under-two is unfounded but time limits of course should exist, the most important factor is the content of the screen time - which should be thoroughly looked into (don't just assume Disney is okay... Did you know that Finding Nemo truly rates as for ages 8+?), and all of this with the caveat that children NEED as much interpersonal intera...more
Guernsey takes an open-minded approach as she pours through research and interviews scientists and parents. This book is somewhat academic but accessible and I wish that many parents and caregivers encounter would dip into at least a chapter or two.
To sum up, Guernsey states that parents should focus on context, content, and the individual child. She is trying to assuage some of the guilt some parents may feel if they let small children watch some TV by showing how they can make “smart media ch...more
To sum up, Guernsey states that parents should focus on context, content, and the individual child. She is trying to assuage some of the guilt some parents may feel if they let small children watch some TV by showing how they can make “smart media ch...more
Honestly, I picked this book up to relieve some of my guilt...
Well organized arguments/questions and well referenced with tons of research studies, making it a bit academic but still a great read.
Some points....
i) Yes children develop at different stages, so why wouldn't there be a spectrum for screen time for kids?
ii) Since Dad won't always put down his phone and engage with our tots, I've asked him to put on earphones if the TV is on so that there isn't the noise from his phone competing with...more
Well organized arguments/questions and well referenced with tons of research studies, making it a bit academic but still a great read.
Some points....
i) Yes children develop at different stages, so why wouldn't there be a spectrum for screen time for kids?
ii) Since Dad won't always put down his phone and engage with our tots, I've asked him to put on earphones if the TV is on so that there isn't the noise from his phone competing with...more
It's not that writing was so good, it's just that this book was so fascinating for me as a parent with a young child growing up in a screen and media heavy world. I really think every parent should read this book to make informed decisions about how they expose their children to media. And it is absolutely not a guilt-inducing book. In fact, it debunks many of the perceived negatives of screen time, and highlights some unexpected benefits of letting kids watch certain programs. Of course, the ov...more
So far this book is great-- an eye-opening study on the effects of television, the perceived threats, the misconceptions, and real dangers. I love books that challenge conventional wisdom, and this does. I've always just gone unthinkingly along with the modern mom's guilty refrain: TV is terrible and I'm terrible for letting my kids watch anything! But the author pushes pause and looks at that big bad boob tube in the cold blue flickering light of scientific research. Turns out Blue's Clues won'...more
So much good information in this book, and so much that every parent should know! Things that surprised me: children under the age of 4 don't understand "It's not real." I would have thought at least 3-year-olds would be able to grasp the concept. And, even if the child doesn't understand what they're watching, they can pick up on the "fear" you exhibit when watching a scary movie, which can cause them to be fearful of other situations.
But, there is good news as well. Some of the programs out t...more
But, there is good news as well. Some of the programs out t...more
I was almost afraid to read this book because we have a 1 year old and he occasionally watches TV. Ms. Guernsey did extensive research into the effects of screen media on children, and the 3 important things to pay attention to are her "Three C's: Context, Content and [your] Child." Reading this book helped to clarify what my baby is picking up when my husband watches TV, and now instead of a flat absolutely no TV mandate, we will make an educated decision about what he watches, when/how much he...more
Lots of interesting studies that I enjoyed reading about, and I did learn a lot. Some real good points when it comes to babies/kids and television, but a lot of the conclusions presented here are (in my mind) no-brainers.
Of course 1-on-1 interaction with a parent (vrs. TV) is best! No kidding kids learn language better without a loud background noise TV on! No, kids do not understand scene editing, and do better with a streamlined story. No, kids don't learn the moral at the end, if the story do...more
Of course 1-on-1 interaction with a parent (vrs. TV) is best! No kidding kids learn language better without a loud background noise TV on! No, kids do not understand scene editing, and do better with a streamlined story. No, kids don't learn the moral at the end, if the story do...more
I didn't start reading this book immediately after I got it because I assumed it would be a dry academic slog through the research on this subject and I really have to be mentally ready for that sort of thing if I'm going to absorb any of the information. But when I finally cracked open the book, the author had me laughing out loud from the first pages. I was surprised and delighted at the tone of this book; informative while being informal and amusing. I think it is extremely well-written for t...more
The information in this book empowered me to make smart media choices for my son...and not feel guilty when I turn on a video for 30-minutes. That alone made the book well worth reading.
However, if you're looking for all the answers, they're not here...mainly because the research has not been done, ESPECIALLY for children under two years old. I never realized how frustrating it must be to work in the social sciences...in order for a study to be well done, it needs a lot of people (in this case,...more
However, if you're looking for all the answers, they're not here...mainly because the research has not been done, ESPECIALLY for children under two years old. I never realized how frustrating it must be to work in the social sciences...in order for a study to be well done, it needs a lot of people (in this case,...more
I LOVED this book. I am so grateful that I took the time to read it. I learned a TON and it will forever change the way that I view, feel, and use screentime in my home.
I was initially hesitant about reading this book - because I thought it might just lay on a heavy guilt trip and make me feel like a terrible mom because I turn on the tv in my house. It had the exact opposite effect! I now feel informed. My nagging guilt and worries are GONE. I feel like I am empowered and can make positive med...more
I was initially hesitant about reading this book - because I thought it might just lay on a heavy guilt trip and make me feel like a terrible mom because I turn on the tv in my house. It had the exact opposite effect! I now feel informed. My nagging guilt and worries are GONE. I feel like I am empowered and can make positive med...more
I just happened upon this book in the library and with one year old twins at home decided to pick it up on a whim. It turned out to be terrific book about how television affects infants and toddlers that really changed the way I thought about the subject. Guernsey chases down all of the people that she can find who are doing research in this area and distills the results of their research into well written summaries based around relevant topics, such as whether or not it really is harmful to hav...more
I thought that this would be all about the horrors of children watching TV, but it wasn't. Well there are a few horrors (TV as background noise.) It was a whole lot of research about what is good and what isn't. Turns out that some programs really are educational and can teach pro-social behavior. I thought the chapter about what is scary to kids was pretty interesting. I guess my kids are not the only ones who are scared of Toy Story and Winnie the Pooh.
Overall, however, I didn't find anything...more
Overall, however, I didn't find anything...more
I found this book was very informative and well researched. I liked how the author is clearly very knowledgeable on the subject and also relates it to her own experiences of raising her daughters. She talks a lot about all the studies they have done with children and the effects of tv, and the results are quite interesting. I was a bit shocked with some of the results, but all in all I am glad I took the time to read this book and become more aware of televisions impact on youth! I think many pa...more
An eye-opening book for parents with young children. Parents and caregivers who read this book will not get a simplistic lecture about the evils of screen time. Readers will gain a much better knowledge of child development and what children are capable of understanding at different ages, as well as the importance of adult-child interaction for language development in children.
The author's ultimate conclusion is not that TV, videos, and screen games should never be used with young children, but...more
The author's ultimate conclusion is not that TV, videos, and screen games should never be used with young children, but...more
Overall the book touts common sense--Guernsey's main point is that context, content, and the specific needs of your child(ren) are what to keep in mind. However, there were some surprising and interesting points, such as a parent who deeply appreciated the Thomas the Train show for its benefits to her autistic son--the clear facial expressions of Thomas helped his understanding of emotions. And readers will benefit from Guernsey's research to determine what specific media could be practical in t...more
A wonderfully balanced look at the media and its effects on very small children. I very much appreciated the author's evenhanded reporting and personal reflections on her own experiences with her daughters. This takes the usual "within moderation" reaction to our media diets and goes a step further, to find out what is really happening inside children's brains and where there might be harm or help.
I highly recommend this one for parents who may be concerned about their children's screen time.
I highly recommend this one for parents who may be concerned about their children's screen time.
Overall this book has great advice for constructing TV limits and allowances for your young child. However, I was disappointed with the underlying bias of the author. She frequently uses her own experience as examples in behavior, thereby justifying why she allows her children to watch television. I'd like to counter her opinions with a chapter or two on how children benefit from limited to no TV in their lives.
I hadn't realized how impatient I could feel at books on parenting subjects that do not back up assertions with scientific study, which made this book a relief. I had wondered what really was behind warnings of screen time with children and if I was negatively affecting my daughter when I watched television while she played on the floor.
And the truth is, yes.
The truth is also that this book will give a few tips on how to analyze a television program for its educational value (such as linearity,...more
And the truth is, yes.
The truth is also that this book will give a few tips on how to analyze a television program for its educational value (such as linearity,...more
What is in the babies' minds?
What do they learn from TV?
What impact they get from television?
I, as a child, don't remember watching TV. At least not much. I wasn't in pre-school 'till age of 6. What did my mom and grandma teach me before I went out and discover a new world. Away from walls and locked doors?
Mmm... a question that deserves to be answered!
What do they learn from TV?
What impact they get from television?
I, as a child, don't remember watching TV. At least not much. I wasn't in pre-school 'till age of 6. What did my mom and grandma teach me before I went out and discover a new world. Away from walls and locked doors?
Mmm... a question that deserves to be answered!
Totally terrific. I've always heard from the American Academy of Pediatrics that children under the age of two should not watch television. I've preached it to everyone, and I have always said it is far better to read to your children than let them watch the "wretched stone." Well, after reading this book, I now have a different perspective. The author, Guersney, really did her research. She talks about babies' brain development, and she summarizes several studies on media and children. She shar...more
I really enjoyed reading this thoroughly researched look into what babies/young children may be experiencing with the media in front of and around them. Well-documented and easy to read. Allowed Josh and I to think a little more specifically about how much/what kind of TV/movies/computer time we want our kids to have.
This is an informative, interesting book about a subject that I think about a lot--young children and the benefits/drawbacks of TV viewership for them. The author addresses many points on this topic and her research and resources are good. Her overall findings from delving into numerous studies are that the less TV the better, while also recognizing that good-quality children's programs can have definite benefits for the kids who watch them. My only problem with the book was how she went into to...more
I really found this book interesting- especially the general child development research. The media research was helpful too and supported a lot of our house rules for TV. It was nice to know what shows are best (from an educational perspective) and what to look for when choosing a quality program. If they are going to watch TV, might as well make it worth our while!
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