Brainy Baby : ABC's : Introducing the Alphabet (Ages 6 months to 3 years)
by Brainy Baby
from The Brainy Baby Company
Mastering the alphabet involves much more than recognizing capital letters. Brainy Baby: ABC's offers a healthy dose of phonics and lowercase letter study as well, treating 2- to 5-year-olds to a lesson that proves equally entertaining and educational. The key to this delightful show's appeal stems from an engaging, interactive approach to learning. Vocally introducing each uppercase and lowercase letter pair, sharing each letter's sound (or sounds, as in the case of vowels and certain consonants), and showing examples of words beginning with each letter, a friendly narrator encourages viewers to repeat what they see and hear. Throughout the 40-minute program, playful review sessions help enforce each lesson. Upbeat music and exceptional camera work add to the package, making yet another positive contribution from the award-winning Brainy Baby Company. Favorite extras on the DVD version include a video sing-along and a read-along storybook narrated by a child. -- Liane Thomas
Brainy Baby - Spanish
from BRAINY BABY
Research shows that during the early years, a child's brain is wired to absorb the syntax, sentence structure, and dialect of a second language. Based on the concept of total language immersion, Brainy Baby: Spanish is a commendable tool for those seeking bilingual enrichment for their youngsters. Only Spanish is spoken through 45 minutes of instruction and live-action footage that covers familiar objects, colors, numbers, and phrases. While there are several bilingual videos on the market by notable companies, this one stands out for its superb sound and picture quality, lively footage, and extra DVD features such as a Spanish nursery rhyme, interactive story, and (when kids need a break from language lessons) entertaining bloopers. While not meant to be a child's sole source of bilingual instruction, it's a worthy tool, especially if adults can reinforce the lessons throughout the child's day. The instruction is solid, the picture quality superb, and the interspersed frivolity reminds us that captivating kids is the ultimate goal of education. (Ages 2 to 5) --Lynn Gibson
Contains over 50 words including colors, numbers, favorite objects, action words and familiar phrases Introduced by a native-language (Spanish) Narrator Fun music and a nursery rhyme song in Spanish Includes a Vocabulary Review section DVD includes special features such as: Baby Bloopers, Behind The Scenes, Video Sing-Along and an Interactive Activity. 45 minutes
Brainy Baby: Right Brain
from BRAINY BABY
While there are many tapes designed to stimulate a baby's mind, Brainy Baby is unique in addressing left and right brain functions in distinct programs. Called "whole brain thinking," the theory is that if children are stimulated to use both sides of the brain--preparing them to think logically and creatively--they will become more adept at learning and problem solving. Capitalizing on this research, the folks at Small Fry Productions (makers of Bilingual Baby) have produced a two-volume set to develop the whole brain. Volume one helps stimulate the right brain, which research shows is the center for creativity, intuition, and imagination. To engage such processes, the program uses imagery (such as ink blots and clouds transforming into familiar objects), color recognition (by way of deliciously gooey paint), and patterns (from nesting shapes to 3-D objects). Unlike the So Smart! approach, there is enthusiastic narration during the 32-minute program and more variation between segments. Employing the so-called Mozart effect, the program utilizes classical music (believed to enhance a child's spatial intelligence) from impressionist era composers Debussy, Chopin, and Tchaikovsky. Whether or not a parent is interested in the push to "develop a child's creative side for a smarter baby" (as the film's literature espouses), there is another compelling reason to consider the Brainy Baby series: pure enjoyment. Parents will get a kick out of watching their toddlers respond to the visual feast before them. And the accompanying classical melodies make it palatable for parents too. (For ages 6 to 36 months.) --Lynn Gibson
This video works together with the Left Brain video to present both creative and logical types of images and activities. Right Brain features classical music and gentle voices, and explores Creative Thinking, Art & Drawing, Rhymes, Imagination, and more! DVD includes special features such as: Baby Bloopers, Behind The Scenes, and Storybook. 45 minutes
Brainy Baby - 123's
from BRAINY BABY
Helps babies and young children learn the numbers 1-20 and basic math skills, set to fun songs & music.
No Track Information Available
Media Type: DVD
Artist: BRAINY BABY
Title: 123'S
Street Release Date: 01/21/2003
Genre: CHILDREN'S VIDEO
Learning to count to 20 is fun when the basics are introduced through familiar objects, bright animation, enthusiastic narrators, and energetic kids. Created by early childhood specialists, this Brainy Baby presentation showcases each number from 1 to 20, much like the number of the day in a typical Sesame Street episode. Adult and child narrators count a variety of familiar items, from goldfish crackers to crayons, while on-screen numbers provide visual reinforcement. Several "let's count" segments offer opportunities to practice counting and the "how many" section introduces pre-addition skills by counting objects first by color and then all together. While the program may seem unduly repetitive to adults and older children, it is precisely that repetition that promotes cognitive learning in children ages 2 to 4. --Tami Horiuchi
Brainy Baby - Shapes & Colors
from BRAINY BABY
Reaching beyond the basic rainbow and building-block primer, Brainy Baby: Shapes & Colors celebrates the many forms and hues that typical 1- to 4-year olds encounter in their everyday surroundings. A music video introduces the shapes portion of the show by focusing on edible triangles, circles, and crescents. A thorough, creative rundown of 11 shapes ensues, led by a helpful narrating voice that gently introduces words ("This is a circle"), asks simple questions ("How many rectangles do you see?"), and points out interesting sights. Halfway through the 40-minute program, a second music video gives viewers a chance to stretch, wiggle, and prepare to learn about 12 colors. Outstanding camera work captures imaginative footage outdoors and indoors, from preening pink flamingos to gleeful toddlers cavorting with foam shapes. The DVD also includes an interactive storybook, narrated by a child, to reinforce lessons learned; a video sing-along; and other parent/child activities. --Liane Thomas
Introduces 12 Shapes and 12 Colors Catchy sing-along songs DVD includes special features such as: Baby Bloopers, Behind The Scenes, Video Sing-Along and an Interactive Activity. 45 minutes
Brainy Baby : Left Brain : Inspires Logical Thinking (Ages 6 months - 3 years)
by Brainy Baby
from The Brainy Baby Company
It's called "whole brain thinking," the notion that if children are stimulated to use both sides of the brain--developing their abilities to think both logically and creatively--they will become more adept learners. Underscoring such research, the folks at Small Fry Productions (makers of Bilingual Baby) have produced Brainy Baby, which joins a host of worthy tapes designed to stimulate a baby's mind. This two-volume set is unique, however, in addressing specific left and right brain functions in distinct, 30-minute programs. "Left Brain," the second volume, picks up where volume one leaves off, engaging a child's analytical abilities. Bright visuals encourage growth in the areas of math, language, and logic. Patterns and shapes are introduced in colors of red, black, and white. Language is explored beginning with letters of the alphabet, followed by simple words and voice-overs offering the equivalent in Spanish and French. Numbers are presented in sequence using interactive questions (How many do you see?). Less clinical than the So Smart! approach, Brainy Baby provides enthusiastic narration and plenty of baby faces, familiar toys, and giggles. It also employs the so-called Mozart effect (the idea that classical music enhances a child's spatial intelligence), interspersing selections from baroque and classical era composers Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. If parents are uncomfortable with the film's academic premise to "develop your child's analytical side for a smarter baby," they can be assured that, research aside, there is plenty of pure enjoyment here to delight a wee one, 6 to 36 months. And the melodies of the maestros make it palatable for parents too. --Lynn Gibson
This video works together with the Right Brain video to present both creative and logical types of images and activities. Left Brain features classical music and gentle voices, and explores Logic, Patterns, Letters & Numbers, Sequencing, Analyzing details, and more! DVD includes special features such as: Baby Bloopers, Behind The Scenes, and Storybook. 45 minutes
Brainy Baby - French
from BRAINY BABY
Studies show that children exposed to a second language during the first few years of life can more easily master the sounds of that language. Based on the concept of total language immersion, Brainy Baby: French is a commendable tool for those seeking bilingual enrichment for their youngsters. French is the sole language spoken through 45 minutes of instruction and live-action footage covering familiar objects, colors, numbers, and phrases. Words are repeated for reinforcement (and written on the screen for early readers), while classical music by Mozart and Vivaldi plays in the background. "chapters" selected from the DVD main menu allow wee ones to watch in small, digestible segments. Extra features include a French music video sing-along, interactive storybook, and hilarious baby bloopers. Such excellent, original offerings set this program apart from other bilingual language videos. The instruction is solid, the picture quality superb, and the interspersed frivolity reminds us that captivating kids is the ultimate goal of education. (Ages 2 to 5) --Lynn Gibson
Contains over 50 words including colors, numbers, favorite objects, action words and familiar phrases Introduced by a native-language (French) Narrator Fun music and a nursery rhyme song in French Includes a Vocabulary Review section DVD includes special features such as: Baby Bloopers, Behind The Scenes, Video Sing-Along and an Interactive Activity. 45 minutes
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