ATLANTA, Jan. 19, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new study has demonstrated that children between the ages of 18 and 33 months were better able to identify a unique shape in a book after repeatedly viewing a 10-minute Brainy Baby® video.
The peer-reviewed study, entitled "A US Study of Transfer of Learning from Video to Books in Toddlers," confirms the ability of infants and toddlers to learn from Brainy Baby's "Shapes & Colors" video. The study was published in the November 2010 issue of the Journal of Children and Media (JOCAM).
The study was one of the first to use commercial video content to assess toddler learning, as well as one of the first to examine the transfer of learning to a different context, in this case a book.
Research showed that children were able to learn a unique shape from an excerpt of the Brainy Baby "Shapes & Colors" video and then identify it in a book. The children in the experimental group were 22 times more likely to identify the shape -- a crescent -- than the children in the control group who did not view the crescent portion of the video.
In addition, the study concluded that videos could be used in the same way as books to expand knowledge.
"This is a landmark study that opens up a vast new world of learning for young children," said Dennis Fedoruk, President of The Brainy Company. "It shows that effectiveness is driven largely by content. Toddlers viewing content with a clear educational goal and a simple presentation were able to learn from it."
Brainy Baby's videos were developed using a methodology widely used by educators. Brainy Baby products are designed to be used by both parents and children, and include complementary flashcards, books, music CDs and educational toys as a total learning system.
The study expanded upon the findings of earlier studies, by demonstrating that content is critical to the effectiveness of baby videos as a learning tool.
The study also suggested that the content should be presented in a realistic manner in order for learning to take place. Videos employing cartoons, which have been the subjects of earlier studies, may not be as effective as those using reality-based images because young children haven't developed the cognitive ability to recognize stylized representations.
Brainy Baby videos are designed utilizing reality-based content with which children can identify. Furthermore, these videos follow a lesson plan format utilizing short segments that reinforce learning. The combination of this content and format is the foundation upon which the Brainy Baby videos were built.
The study was conducted at the University of Texas, Austin and parents were asked to show toddlers a 10-minute video clip at least once a day for 15 days.
Brainy Baby is a pioneer in the field of early childhood learning, with award-winning products including DVDs, books, CDs, games, flashcards and toys that encourage exploration and reinforce basic preschool concepts such as shapes, letters and animals. Globally, Brainy Baby products are sold in more than 60 countries.
The Brainy Baby product line, with more than 200 products, continues to grow, with new products including the "Baby Bidou" MP3 player for toddlers in a variety of colors.
The study was authored by two leading research scientists in the field of children's media studies. It appeared in The Journal of Children and Media, (JOCAM), Fall 2010 (Vol.4, Issue 4). To download the study visit www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a929108173~frm=abslink.
About The Brainy Baby Company
For 15 years, the Brainy Baby Co. has been a pioneer and leader in DVDs, books, games and toys for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Globally, Brainy Baby® products are sold in more than 60 countries. The award-winning line of videos, CDs, books, games and toys introduce educational subjects such as letters, shapes, animals, art and music. Brainy Baby® videos feature multi-ethnic children, original music, nursery rhymes and instrumental classics. In fact, Brainy Baby® DVDs have won over 75 awards including Dr. Toy's Top 100 Best Children's Product, the Dove Foundation's Seal of Approval, Parenting Magazine's Top Videos of the Year and more.
Laura Finlayson
Beckerman
brainybabypr@beckermanpr.com
201-465-8007
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