This surprisingly engaging video/DVD is devoted to both
enhancing language development and entertaining young children. Babies and
toddlers won't notice the fact that the video is low budget. Instead, they will
be charmed and entertained by the engaging content.
Ages: 3 months-3years Subject: Early
Learning Publisher: Talking Child
Productions
Review Sections: Product
Overview Dollar
Value
Product Overview
Created by speech-language pathologists, Baby Babble is
an engaging and humorous video that has an agenda—to promote speech and
language. At first glance, the video seems similar to others in
the growing genre of baby videos. However, Baby Babble stands out for
its educational and entertainment value.
The sounds and words used in the video are carefully selected
to target children ages 3 months to 3 years. The video features toys and
sequences that appeal to children, but it's the accompanying sounds and
narration that distinguishes the title from others. Verbal sound effects
accompany many of the toy sequences, and sign language is also incorporated
into the scenes (signs for "eat" and "help", for example). Women making facial
expressions and sounds (such as clucking sounds and tongue sticking out) seemed
odd at first, but these sequences are deliberately chosen to encourage young
children to imitate and develop facial coordination. One sequence features a
ball rolling down a ramp, and the narration is as follows: "Ball; d-d-d-down,
down, ball down". Words are carefully enunciated, objects are counted, colors
are named, animal sounds and body parts are introduced, and concepts (such as
in/out) are demonstrated.
Humor is abundant in Baby Babble—the kind of humor and
silliness that babies love to experience and predict. In fact, prediction
skills are encouraged throughout the video. The video is low-budget, but kids
as young as those in the target audience are not impressed by snazzy graphics.
This video is truly charming. The bulk of the 45-minute video is aimed at
children, and a parent segment follows the feature. The parent segment contains
truly valuable suggestions for encouraging speech development.
Dollar Value
The video retails
for approximately $16.99 US; and the DVD edition is
available for a suggested retail price of $19.99
US.
Released:
2003
Reviewed:
September 2004
The
Bottom Line