As with the other videos in the Baby Einstein collection,
this wonderful developmental video is designed for infants, babies, and toddlers
and is based on relatively recent studies of early brain development. We now know
that the first years of life are crucial to the development of the brain.
Poems and rhymes have a powerful effect on an infant's and young child's mind.
They not only introduce new vocabulary words, but also help children learn rhythm
and cadence.
The book that accompanies this video features beautiful photography illustrating
the key themes in each of the poems (by poets such as Yeats, Robert Frost, and
- yes - William Shakespeare).
The video is hosted by Bard, the poetic dragon — a mischievous and amusing
hand puppet. The video clips include toys, babies, and children. As with previous
videos in the series, the toys and objects featured are fun, colorful, and eye-catching.
The video includes a sequence in which children sing the alphabet song. Each
poem has an associated keyword. For example, a train "pulls" the word
"train", a child says the word, and then a poem is recited about a
train. Later, Bard sniffs a flower, then sneezes up the word "flower",
which prompts a poem all about flowers! Other featured words include such simple
objects like "apple" and "leaf".
The visual component is highly stimulating and interesting for babies and
toddlers. The objects shown include bright and fascinating toys and objects
(such as toy gears), as well as beautiful nature sequences. The clips that feature
Bard are often playful and quite funny. We love the fact that each sequence
is relatively short and strung together in such a way that different styles
are mixed — that is, a clip of a toy will be followed by a word and graphic
animation, a nature scene, then children, etc. This keeps young children (whose
attention spans haven't fully developed) engaged and stimulated.
The audio component of Baby Shakespeare consists of zany sound effects, classical
music (Beethoven), and clear voices and narration.
The addition of written words that are then spoken and illustrated through
an animation is wonderful — while one cannot expect that young children
will learn to "read" these words, this video can help impress upon
children that written words are not just scribbles, but rather they have real
meaning and can be associated with objects, actions, people, and so forth.
Many parents will enjoy the fact that the objects chosen for the video are
real — in my own experience, some of my favorite "baby books"
were actually photography manuals. Infants and toddlers, although attracted
to some animations, seem to respond to real objects more readily and spiritedly.
The intent is to use the video as a "video board book". At least
for the first few viewings, parents can sit their babies or toddlers on their
laps and point out objects as they would when showing them a board book. Younger
babies are not expected to sit and watch the whole video in one sitting.
The Baby Einstein Company was founded by Julie
Aigner-Clark, a stay-at-home
mom. There is a distinctive personal touch that is evident in the whole video
series — something most parents will appreciate.
This video is wonderfully presented and kid testers were drawn to it immediately.
Parents will enjoy the accompanying book as much as their children — the
poems and photography are beautiful.
Baby Shakespeare and other products in the series (Baby
Mozart, Baby Bach, Baby
Einstein, as well as CDs and audio tape counterparts) are available by calling
(800) 793-1454, or can be ordered through the Baby
Einstein web site.
Please see our reviews of Baby Einstein,
Baby Mozart and Baby
Bach.
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