This video is pretty cute. The plan is simple—Step 1: Give a child a marshmallow. Step 2: Tell the child that they can eat said marshmallow whenever they want, but if they wait for the adult to return they will get ANOTHER marshmallow. Step 3: Leave the child alone to ponder this thought. Step 4: Giggle as you watch the results!

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

If you were skeptical to believe that watching a video could make your little one smarter, your instincts were right. According to this article from Time Magazine, videos like the “Baby Einstein” and “Brainy Baby” series might actually delay the onset of language development in children and result in over stimulation and a shortened attention span, particularly in babies who are 8 to 16 months old.

The article is full of shocking revelations, such as:

“40% of babies are regular viewers of DVDs, videos or television; by the time they are two years old, almost 90% are spending two to three hours each day in front of a screen. Three studies have shown that watching television, even if it includes educational programming such as Sesame Street, delays language development.”

The antidote to all of this over stimulation, it says, is simple—just spend time with your little ones face-to-face. Reading together scored some of the highest marks in helping babies develop language skills faster and easier, but simply talking to your child can help as well.

So if you really want to turn your little one into a mini-Einstein, it’s time to put down the remote and pick up a book!

Need an extra reason to giggle this morning? Watch little baby Ethan crack up while playing with his dad! It’s the perfect way to start your work week with a smile.