Every new parent has wondered at some point: Am I doing enough to help my baby’s brain develop? The market is flooded with sensory toys, musical gadgets, flashing lights and products that promise to make babies smarter. It’s easy to believe that more stimulation automatically means better development. But according to pediatric neurologist Dr. Arif Khan, the opposite is often true in the first few months of life.Reacting to a photograph of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg spending time with his baby using nothing more than black-and-white flashcards, Dr. Khan says the image carries an important parenting lesson. “Have you seen this picture? Mark Zuckerberg, one of the biggest tech founders in the world, is sitting with his baby using black-and-white flashcards. There are no flashy screens, no gadgets or complicated toys. They are just having simple tummy time with black-and-white flashcards and eye-level interaction,” he says.
7 Jul 2026 | 16:15
What was the most useful baby product during the first six months?
Why black-and-white flashcards work in the early months
Dr. Khan explains that the science behind these cards is remarkably simple. “Those cards are actually pretty useful in the early months. Babies can’t see colours very clearly yet, so simple black-and-white patterns are much easier for them to notice and to focus on,” he says.
Photo: Instagram/@dr.arif.khan
A newborn’s vision is still developing. During the first few months, babies see best at close distances and are naturally drawn to strong visual contrast rather than detailed colourful images. High-contrast patterns help them practise focusing, tracking objects and paying attention.
The most powerful stimulation isn’t a toy
Why Mark Zuckerberg’s baby is staring at black-and-white flashcards: A pediatric neurologist says there’s a parenting lesson here
While the flashcards often become the talking point, Dr. Khan says the real value lies in something much simpler: the interaction between parent and baby. “Babies learn so much from simple things like this just by looking at faces, watching our expressions, hearing our voice and interacting with us at eye level,” he explains.In developmental neuroscience, these everyday interactions form the foundation of early learning. Babies observe facial expressions, recognise familiar voices, gradually learn turn-taking in conversations and begin building emotional security through repeated face-to-face engagement. Even before they understand words, babies are learning patterns of communication from these moments.This doesn’t mean black-and-white flashcards make babies smarter on their own. Rather, they match what an infant’s developing visual system is capable of processing at that age.Dr. Khan adds with humour, “That’s why babies keep staring at them like they are deeply analysing life decisions.”
Every stage needs different kinds of stimulation
One mistake many parents make is assuming babies constantly need new activities or continuous stimulation. Dr. Khan disagrees. “They need different kinds of stimulation at different stages of development. I think a lot of parents need to hear this,” he says.As babies grow, their developmental needs naturally change. In the newborn stage, simple visual contrast, gentle sounds and face-to-face interaction are enough. As they become older, reaching, grasping, crawling, exploring textures, listening to language, reading books and free movement gradually become more important.
Babies don’t need entertainment all day
Perhaps Dr. Khan’s biggest message is aimed at the pressure many modern parents feel. Social media often creates the impression that every waking minute should involve an educational activity, sensory bin or developmental exercise.Dr. Khan believes that expectation is unnecessary. “Babies don’t need entertainment every second of the day. Sometimes simple things like this are already doing a lot for their brain development,” he says. This idea is increasingly relevant in an era where even infants are exposed to screens at very young ages. A calm interaction, a familiar face, gentle conversation or a few minutes of tummy time may offer richer developmental experiences than overstimulating lights and sounds. For parents who worry they aren’t buying enough educational toys or providing enough stimulation, Dr. Khan’s message is comforting. The first months of life are less about expensive products and more about consistent, loving interaction. A few minutes of tummy time, talking to the baby, making eye contact, singing softly, showing simple high-contrast images and simply being present can already support healthy early development.As Dr. Khan puts it, “Babies don’t need constant entertainment. Sometimes a simple face, a voice, eye contact, or even a black-and-white flash card is doing more for brain development than the fanciest toy in the room.”Disclaimer: Every baby develops at their own pace. Parents should always follow guidance from their pediatrician regarding developmental milestones, vision concerns and age-appropriate activities.
