Even though many DVDs and computer programs, including those from Baby Einstein, Brainy Baby, or Knowledge Adventure (Jumpstart), are top sellers and are commonly used by parents, there is actually no research that says that they are helpful for your baby's development or that they will create a super baby or baby genius.
For younger children, the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages "more interactive activities that will promote proper brain development, such as talking, playing, singing, and reading" with your baby.
Baby Classes
While signing your baby up for gymnastics or music classes likely isn't going to create a super baby either, a mommy and me type class can be fun and a good way to bond with your baby and meet other moms. In this type of unstructured class, you would be at your child's side the whole time, playing with her and learning about her development.
As your baby gets older and you consider more classes, whether it is learning French or taking a cooking class, make sure that it is fun for your child and another form of playtime, and doesn't become a chore or a source of stress.
The Super Baby
Some babies will grow up to be smarter, more creative, or more coordinated, for example, than others. Most of those talents are going to depend on genetics, your baby's temperament, and of course on his environment. That environment should likely be filled with plenty of opportunities for play, which is how babies learn, and not loaded with DVDs, flash cards, and classes though.
Instead of asking, "Can I teach my baby to read?", maybe you should be asking "Should I even be trying?"
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation. A Teacher in the Living Room? Educational Media for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers. December 2005. AAP. Policy Statement. Children, Adolescents, and Television. Pediatrics 2001 107: 423-426.
