Zoom vs. YouTube: What’s Best for your Child’s Brain?

Which Method is More Valubale for Your Chid?

Many parents ask me, what I think is a better platform, YouTube or Zoom. As we all observe, education is changing in front of our eyes, from in-person into digital distance learning. Choosing between these two can be confusing as your goal is one: give your child the best educational experience can feel quite confusing. Both have their pros and cons and are able to provide great classes for your little one in their own ways. But if there is one thing for certain, it’s that Zoom is a better option for your child than YouTube, and here’s why. 

Ask Yourself: Who is the Center of Attention?

There are many contrasts when it comes to comparing baby Zoom classes and YouTube videos. The most significant is the fact that Zoom classes will put your child as the center focus, rather than the screen. Isn’t it what you really want? With YouTube, children can watch and learn, but they are not able to really engage and interact the way they can with Zoom classes. Remember that anyone can upload a YouTube class, with little or not much video effects it can look promising, but do you really know who is on the other side of the screen?

Why You Should transfer your digital learning over to Zoom

Zoom is a not recorded class with your child, and not only for your child. Zoo will:

• Promote more creativity
• Interact with your child in real-time
• Answer any questions during the class
• Involve both parents and children
• Establish meaningful personal conversation
• Form strong bonds between instructor and child
• Create engaging activities
• Exercise powerful social skills
• Controlled educational environment

Content vs. Connection

Before you decide what are you exposing your child to, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is your goal in exposing your child to YouTube? Is it a “babysitter” or an educational vehicle?
• How long do you allocate screen time?
• Do you see a difference between knowledge retention in your child when comparing Zoom and YouTube classes?
• Which class platform does your child pay closer attention to and enjoys more?
• Which one of the facilitators is more engaging?

Zoom Is Better Than YouTube, Hands Down

Yes, YouTube is free and filled with videos that are both valuable (and some downright silly) but do not underestimate the power of Zoom classes. This is a much better alternative that allows both you and your child to enrich your lives. However, no matter which platform you choose, make sure to keep a close eye on your child and observe if the method they are engaging in is working for them. Ways to truly know if it is working is by doing the following:

• Watch their facial expressions
• Engaging with you as they watch
• Telling you what they watched
• Learning something new each time
• Playing with props
• Answering personal questions about themselves

Zoom Classes and Baby Sign Language:

If you have a little one and have already decided that you want to teach them to sign with either mommy and me classes, daddy and me class, or online training, then you will not be able to get the full resourceful help and guidance from YouTube-like you would with baby signing zoom classes. Partaking in these classes not only allows you to really connect with your baby and grow together as a family, but you are also giving them the ability to communicate with you even before their verbal language becomes apparent. The best part? You get to interact with the teacher and other supportive parents the entire time. That is something that you would never be able to achieve from watching a free video series on YouTube.

Start signing any children’s song with baby sign language with the apple app SignShine app. Parents and teachers can learn the most popular children’s songs. This is such a remarkable tool that allows you to learn signs with a dictionary and hosts a step by step how-to guide that is proven to be extraordinarily valuable for families wanting to become fluent in sign.

I am curious as to what your thoughts are between YouTube and Zoom. I would love to hear your insight and see how your family becomes involved and interacts with online training and family classes!  This is the beginning of a new era in education. Make the right choices!