Toddlerpalooza

Recent studies suggest so-called educational videos for toddlers and babies (like Baby Einstein) don't do your kids any good; in fact they may do them harm, possibly even causing autism. I welcome this news cheerily, because those sorts of videos have always seemed sort of pretentious, to say nothing of...

By Jesse Hyde

August 23, 2007

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Recent studies suggest so-called educational videos for toddlers and babies (like Baby Einstein) don't do your kids any good; in fact they may do them harm, possibly even causing autism. I welcome this news cheerily, because those sorts of videos have always seemed sort of pretentious, to say nothing of the parents who are hoping their 1-year-old will learn to recognize Rembrandt or Picasso by watching them. The Wiggles, bless their merry souls, have never pretended to be educational; they know their place in the kid-video universe. They are for singing and dancing, for teaching kids about Wags the Dog, Dorothy the Dinosaur and other utter nonsense. And really, that's all a kid's video should be—utter nonsense. Children will have the rest of their lives to learn important stuff. While the Wiggles are mostly known through their videos, they have always been a touring band, which is how they stay in touch with their fans. The real-life Wiggles—Sam, Murray, Jeff and Anthony (Greg, the Yellow Wiggle, retired last year because of health problems; Sam is his replacement)—will be coming to Nokia Theatre for a performance at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. For tickets call 214-373-8000.
Sat., Aug. 25

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