This 45-minute video aims to teach very young children
basic Spanish vocabulary through live-action video. The format is quite simple
and straightforward--each word or phrase is introduced through a series of scenes
illustrating the word or action in different ways.
Children are introduced to color vocabulary through screens that fill with
a color as the color is named. The transitions between each color are creative--for
example, a bouncing ball appears and then fills the screen with the next color.
Once a number of individual colors are introduced in this manner, they are further
illustrated through sequences of objects (such as circles, shoes, and a snowman).
The narrator uses the new color vocabulary in short phrases. Then, viewers are
asked such questions as, "What color is the apple?" in Spanish, and, after a
brief pause, the answer is given.
More vocabulary words are taught and include basic familiar words like apple,
dog, ball, and hat. For the purposes of clarity and reinforcement, most words
are illustrated through three different scenes depicting the same object in
different forms. Numerals are introduced and named, and then used in phrases,
such as "dos gatitos" ("two cats"). Parts of the body and common expressions
(such as thank you, yes, no, and hello) are also included in the foreign language
curriculum. The video ends with a helpful recap of words and phrases learned,
in a more random fashion.
Brainy Baby Spanish uses an immersion approach to learning a foreign
language. Young viewers only hear Spanish words, not their English translations.
Parents can follow along, however, with on-screen text of each word and phrase
as well as translations printed in a smaller font.
The video is quite low-key and gentle. Classical music, from such composers
as Mozart and Beethoven, makes up most of the musical soundtrack. At one point,
a lively Spanish song provides the musical backdrop for a sequence showing children
at play.
Used as a supplemental educational tool, this video can be very helpful for
both reinforcing and teaching simple Spanish vocabulary. Those looking for a
more glamorous or entertaining video may be disappointed.
This video bears some similarity in format to the Bilingual Baby language
video series (see our review). There is currently
a French edition, entitled Brainy Baby: French, that is deliberately
similar in format to the Spanish edition.
The DVD edition includes a chaptering option, parent guide, storybook, music
video sing-along, interactive activities, and baby bloopers! The activities
allow parent and child to direct a series of "what is this?" questions and answers
so that they have time to come up with answers independently. "Baby Bloopers"
is short but fun--it shows behind-the-scenes footage of babies munching on the
props, crawling away, and tumbling over.
Rating: 
