Many parents believe educational TV and DVDs stimulate their baby's brains, but according to Dr. Frederick Zimmerman of the University of Washington, this high tech approach to parenting is counterproductive. "Excessive viewing before age 3 has been shown to be associated with problems of attention control, aggressive behavior and poor cognitive development," he says.

According to a study published today in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, a staggering 40% or three-month-olds and 90% of two-year-olds watch TV or DVDs regularly.

Am I the only one who finds those stats frightening?

While more study is needed, researchers urge parents to take a more hands-on approach. "High-quality social interaction with babies, inducing reading and talking with them, provides all the stimulation that the growing brain needs," Zimmerman says. "Children thrive on physical closeness."

Fortunately, it's easy to give children any age the high-quality social interactions and physical closeness they need with a bit of outdoor time.

• Take a hike in the woods with your little one strapped on
• Explore your garden together
  
• Replace the TV with a bird feeder

For more ideas on getting children of any age outdoors, the National Wildlife Federation's Green Hour Program has plenty of age-appropriate suggestions.

Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert