By David Crary The Associated Press
NEW YORK – The creators of “Sesame Street” are releasing a new line of videos today targeted for children as young as six months, outraging some child-development experts who feel no form of TV or video is suitable for kids under 2.
The DVDs – part of a series called “Sesame Beginnings” – are intended to be watched by parents along with their small children. Sesame Workshop developed the shows with help of experts from Zero to Three, a well-regarded nonprofit advocacy group.
Despite that prestigious partnership, the project has drawn fire from other experts who note that the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against TV viewing for children under 2. They fear the Sesame brand and Zero to Three’s endorsement will convince many parents their infants would benefit from watching videos.
“There is no evidence that screen media is beneficial for babies and growing evidence it may be harmful,” said the Boston-based Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. “‘Sesame Beginnings’ will encourage babies’ devotion to TV characters that have been licensed to promote hundreds of other products.”
There already is a huge market for videos aimed at infants: “Teletubbies” has been on the air for nearly a decade, sometimes drawing similar criticism, and The Walt Disney Co.’s Baby Einstein products are very lucrative.
