children's video & dvd review
bilingual baby - video series (bilingual baby
spanish, bilingual baby french)
Rating: 
Ages: 1-5 yrs Subject: Foreign Language Publisher:
Small Fry Productions
Review Sections: Product Overview
Dollar Value
Product Overview
We've all heard about the benefits of exposing children
to foreign languages at an early age. This new language development video series
is designed to do just that, teaching one language at a time. Babies, toddlers,
and preschoolers can pick up over 60 basic words and phrases just by watching
a truly engaging 45 minute video.
As with earlier Small Fry Productions releases, the Bilingual Baby
series employs "reality-based learning" — real children, real
objects, and no cartoons or puppets. The philosophy behind this program format
is simple — the producers of these videos wanted to present important learning
concepts without the distractions and glamour that is characteristic of many
character-based entertainment videos. The truth of the matter is that babies
and toddlers are thrilled to watch real kids and familiar objects on the screen.
The live-action scenes feature happy children, bright and colorful objects,
and playful scenes.
We looked at the first 3 volumes of the videos in the series: French, Spanish,
and German. Each is deliberately similar in format. A set of new words are introduced
one at a time, then a sentence or phrase is presented using that set of words.
For example, the foreign words for dog, play, and ball are illustrated using
a series of visual demonstrations for each word, then a complete sentence is
formed: "The dog plays with the ball."
Words and phrases presented include numbers, colors, manners and phrases,
and a variety of words for familiar objects and people. Kids learn how to answer
questions like "what color is the rabbit?" and "how many cars?".
An immersion approach to language learning is used throughout the series.
Most experts agree that kids learn best when they are totally immersed in a
foreign language. As they grow older, there is a tendency to want to hear translations
to their native language. Small Fry Productions has included smaller on-screen
English translations next to the larger written words in the foreign language
for the benefit of parents! A fold-out guide is also included with each video,
giving an overview of phrases and words presented as well as native translations.
We like that each video in the series is entirely devoted to only one foreign
language as it helps to provide focused attention to the structures and syntax
of each featured language. Kid testers love these videos! They were imitating
new vocabulary words in no time, and asked to see the video many times over.
Note that by the end of 2000 this series is planned to grow to a 12-volume
series to include Italian, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Swedish, Greek, Arabic,
Hebrew, and English.
Dollar Value
Each video sells for $17.95 US.
The Bottom Line
This carefully organized video series presents an
easy and effective method of introducing young children to foreign languages.
Classical music provides a pleasing backdrop for the playful live-action scenes
that visually reinforce basic vocabulary.
Released: 2000
Reviewed: July 2000
Buy this Video:
Bilingual Baby, FRENCH, Vol 1
Bilingual Baby, SPANISH, Vol 2
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