Rating: 
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.
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.
Released: 2003
Reviewed: September 2004
Buy this Video:
Buy this DVD:
To buy: Baby Babble - Speech-Enhancing Video for Babies and Toddlers
on Video or Baby Babble - Speech-Enhancing DVD for Babies and Toddlers
on DVD.
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