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Would You Dress Funny to Boost Your Baby’s IQ?
You probably know that babies prefer high-contrast edges and patterns (black and white) and only later do they take in colors. Now a new line of women’s clothing is intended to stimulate babies’ visual development.
Presumably, the idea is that moms will fork over money for special clothes so their baby’s vision will be stimulated just by looking at them. But aren’t all babies stimulated just by looking at their mother’s face?
According to their web site, Tutortogs are designed to “provide infant visual stimulation and greater social engagement.”
Do we really need clothes to encourage “greater social engagement” in babies?
The TutorTogs tops come in several designs, including polka dot, lady bug, racing check and classic stripe.
According to TutorTogs site, each garment comes with a set of baby flash cards — presumably to boost baby’s brain development. Is this really necessary?
Apparently, TutorTogs founder Megan Kelleher, mom to 3, “researched the science behind infant visual development, and the importance of engagement and interaction with your baby” before developing the clothing line. But why?
“There are endless opportunities for black-and-white, high-contrast designs,” Kelleher said in a press release, “but you have to wantto wear the clothes.” She adds, “The goal of Tutortogs is to foster the richest experience between mother and baby.”
I checked out the clothes and, to be honest, I don’t want to wear them.
I try my best not to judge other parents’ decisions, but buying special clothing to stimulate your child’s vision seems a bit much to me.
Haven’t we learned by now that buying things like TutorTogs and Baby Einstein videos don’t make your kids any smarter? Besides, who wants to raise a child prodigy anyway?
What do you think? Would you wear Tutortogs in hopes that your baby might groove on the funky designs — and get smarter?
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Photo: Jason Dunn
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0 Comments
Samantha commented on Sep 06 10 at 9:08 pmI actually like the striped shirt, but I am also pretty sure I’d like it regardless of whether or not it made my kid smarter. The concept is a little much and the prices are awful. Plus, I can get a nice striped shirt at, oh, any department store.
Brandi commented on Sep 06 10 at 11:58 pmI think the idea that we need to stimulate a newborns every waking moment is just unhealthy. Newborns have ALOT going on with their bodies during the first few months. Their digestion is working itself out, neurons are firing in new places, their circulatory system is getting the hang of things. A baby doesn’t need it’s eyesight to be stimulated, hence nature put it on the back burner.
What’s next shirts with the quadratic formula on it to wear when you’re child is in High Scool Algebra?
Megan Kelleher commented on Sep 07 10 at 10:35 amHi, Paula. Tutortogs does not claim that we make babies smarter. We provide them with high contrast patterns that encourage visual tracking. Take a look at this link to see how baby vision develops and how they see our shirts: http://tutortogshop.com/how-it-works-what-does-baby-see.html We’re about eyes, not IQs! Try it with a newborn and see how they respond! Best, Megan
Mary commented on Sep 07 10 at 11:01 amMy child’s layette was all black and white. They can see it better, when they are small. She loved the black and white mobile. I guess a shirt with that kind of pattern would be the same thing…?
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