Watch TV with your children

Re “Videos as a baby brain drain,” Aug. 7

University of Washington researchers conclude that parents should turn off infant education DVDs rather than recommending what we know well: Children learn best from age-appropriate media when an adult watches along or interacts with them about the program.

Research and anecdotal evidence show that “turn it off” is impractical advice for most families. It is a good quip for lead investigator Dimitri Christakis to suggest that children would fare better watching “American Idol” with their parents, but it’s more productive to say, “Choose media that suits your child’s age, interests and abilities, watch along, and talk about what you see.”

David Kleeman

President

American Center for

Children and Media

Chicago