Sesame Street Videos Spark Controversy By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer

Sesame Street Videos Spark Controversy By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer
Tue Apr 4, 2:03 AM ET



NEW YORK - The creators of "Sesame Street" are releasing a new line of videos Tuesday 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.

Sesame Workshop had stayed out of this field, but says it now has found an effective way to promote interaction between parents and children under 2 — something its executives say other shows don't do well.

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Gee I wish someone would make up our minds for us! We have government/groups attempting to make pre-kindergarten mandatory. To be followed no doubt by 'womb schooling'. With this all in mind I fail to see what all the Hoo-Haw is about over a few videos? Could it be that so called educators fear that like 'home schooling' this may cut into their 'sphere of influence' and thus in the long run into their wallets.