TR
I noticed on the ITV homepage that they've launched a new service, 'ITV BabySign' (http://www.itvbabysign.com)
The premise of the website is to get parents teaching their 6 month old babies sign language. The idea is that whilst children of this age cannot yet speak, they will be able to use sign language to communicate their wants and needs to parents. (Particularly interesting is the suggestion that babies should learn British Sign Language finger-spelling at 6 months so they can spell out words to their parents.)
The various videos on the site suggest it isn't a particularly effective system, as the children in the videos (even the ones old enough to talk) demonstrate a very limited grasp on the symbols - and the message board too seems to suggest children don't quite understand it:
Also frightening in the discussion forum is the 'Health' section. One poster says her baby has continuous chest complaints, and rather than suggesting the lady takes her baby to the doctor, the only reply suggests she make the baby drink goat's milk. The same poster recommends cucumber as a teething-pain remedy.
Now I'm not saying that 'BabySign' doesn't work (even though various videos on the site appear to demonstrate the opposite) but I'm just wondering if people have seen this, and why on Earth ITV are endorsing it?
It seems like such a bizarre thing for ITV to put its name to, and the site itself is littered with grammatical errors;
What's most unusual is that there doesn't seem to be any path for revenue other than the advertising on the pages. I immediately suspected it would be a subscription site when I clicked on it, but it isn't.
Even so, I'm disappointed ITV is still just tagging its name onto anything it thinks it can spin money out of. 'ITV Casio', 'ITV Bingo', 'ITV Backgammon' and now 'ITV BabySign'.
What next? 'ITV Bacon' in the supermarket?
The premise of the website is to get parents teaching their 6 month old babies sign language. The idea is that whilst children of this age cannot yet speak, they will be able to use sign language to communicate their wants and needs to parents. (Particularly interesting is the suggestion that babies should learn British Sign Language finger-spelling at 6 months so they can spell out words to their parents.)
The various videos on the site suggest it isn't a particularly effective system, as the children in the videos (even the ones old enough to talk) demonstrate a very limited grasp on the symbols - and the message board too seems to suggest children don't quite understand it:
Quote:
Emily who was getting confused when her Grandma was signing the "I love you" sign and Emily was coming back with the sign for Teddy Bear
Quote:
My child finds it difficult to use specific signs especially those which use the extended little finger
Also frightening in the discussion forum is the 'Health' section. One poster says her baby has continuous chest complaints, and rather than suggesting the lady takes her baby to the doctor, the only reply suggests she make the baby drink goat's milk. The same poster recommends cucumber as a teething-pain remedy.
Now I'm not saying that 'BabySign' doesn't work (even though various videos on the site appear to demonstrate the opposite) but I'm just wondering if people have seen this, and why on Earth ITV are endorsing it?
It seems like such a bizarre thing for ITV to put its name to, and the site itself is littered with grammatical errors;
Quote:
There's a list of useful links to some of the best baby sites on the Internet for those busy mum
's
and dad
’s
that don't have time to surf the internet
Quote:
They will be able to tell you more about what
their
thinking
What's most unusual is that there doesn't seem to be any path for revenue other than the advertising on the pages. I immediately suspected it would be a subscription site when I clicked on it, but it isn't.
Even so, I'm disappointed ITV is still just tagging its name onto anything it thinks it can spin money out of. 'ITV Casio', 'ITV Bingo', 'ITV Backgammon' and now 'ITV BabySign'.
What next? 'ITV Bacon' in the supermarket?
