Husband and Father

Husband and Father
July 15, 1958 ~ August 25, 2008

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The Adverse Effects of SpongeBob Square Pants

A recent study conducted by the University of Virginia, shows that children age 4 who watched nine minutes of “SpongeBob” did significantly worse on four tests they administered, than those children that watched PBS programming.

“Apparently the fast-paced television show has profound impacts for children’s cognitive and social development that need to be considered and reacted to,” wrote University of Washington pediatrics professor Dr. Dimitri A. Christakis in an editorial accompanying the study.

What???? Poor Ben…. Ben loved SpongeBob Square Pants and watched it frequently when he was young. I may have even used it as a babysitting tool to take a quick shower, or get a thing or two done around here.

He validated his love for this cartoon as he excitedly responded to his first birthday party theme of SpongeBob Square Pants. The mere fact that he was able to verbalize the name SpongeBob shortly thereafter reinforces the absurdness that this cartoon has a negative cognitive affect on a child.

If you knew Ben as a toddler, and if you know Ben now, you would definitely have to dispute this study. He seems to excel both cognitively and socially.

Ben continues to secretly love this little guy. At age 9 it's not "cool" to watch SpongeBob anymore, but once in awhile I see him sneak a peek.

Who is going to tell Ben as well as a few other unnamed children of mine that they may have some deficits from watching SpongBob? Not me! I’m definitely not a believer!





Okay, so maybe he has just a few deficits. (Just kidding Ben)

1 comments:

mbjhme said...

Cindy
I love the pictures, look how little Mike, Big Lizzy and Little Lizzy are and of course Ben. Wow 8 years does a lot to kids doesn't it? And I have to dispute the sponge bob theory also, Daniel loved it also, he probably watched it until he left on his mission sorry it say.
I love to read your blog. I love the cute pictures of Steve, what a cute dad.
Michelle