Name: Exploracise Gymathtics™ Company: EXPLORAMANIA Age: All Ages Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
What It Is: The Exploracise Gymathtics DVD is a 30-minute fitness program that teaches math and healthy lifestyle concepts at the same time. It takes kids through stretching, aerobic movements, pattern exercises and a cool down.
What We Thought: The packaging is well done, representing both the excitement and learning potential of the program. I do wish, however, that the design of some of the video, particularly the screens presenting educational elements in conjunction with the movements, was more polished and professional to match. That said, there really is a lot to learn, including subjects that I didn’t expect to be covered, such as repetition of patterns. A variety of ages is represented through the children doing the workout with the instructor, including a little girl whose movements aren’t perfect, which could be encouraging to other kids and shows that anyone can jump in and give Gymathtics a try! While positive reinforcement for kids, the healthy lifestyle concepts about being kind and dreaming big covered at the end of the video seem out of place, given the transition from mathematical concepts — which is clearly the focus of the DVD and title — to a totally different theme.
What Others Thought: The Homeschool Desk blog reviewer found “Gymathtics” ideal for various learning styles with its multi-sensory approach, and discovered that her children, especially the 8- and 9-year-olds, loved it!
On Homeschool Reviews for You, a writer said she liked the voice-over commentary and encouragement in the video, and called it “a no-fail solution for math review,” given the geometric terms and images covered in such a short period of time. An 8-year-old girl especially enjoyed the jumping jacks and said she’d recommend the DVD to friends.
Why They’ll Want It: It’s educational, it provides a workout, and it’s brief enough for frequent replay — big pluses for parents and kids in a culture that’s overweight and pressed for time. — Julie L. Jones, 12-16-09
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Back to top Name: SPEECH PARADE! Sounds Are All Around DVD Company: GASP VIDEO Age: 1-6 Price: $19.99 Category: Videos & DVDs
What It Is: Designed to support language development in young children, "SPEECH PARADE!" shows footage of animals, activities and familiar environmental scenes while a speech-language pathologist and young children speak identifying sounds. It´s set up to encourage imitation through repetition and includes tips for parents and caregivers at the end, so they can help their children develop solid language skills.
What We Thought: By offering three rounds of the same content with varying audio explanation — one with the speech-language pathologist speaking and pictured, one with children speaking the sounds, pictured, and the other displaying just adult audio with the natural sound — viewers have ample opportunity to pick up the emphasis of words and begin to identify sounds with their counterparts in the natural world. The production´s real-life footage of people, animals, objects and natural scenes, as opposed to animated reel, reinforces proper identification. Although a 1 1/2-year-old boy and his two older sisters viewed this video, "it didn´t seem to capture them," their mother said. Improvements could be made to the packaging, with its basic font usage and a large photo of a parrot that doesn´t necessarily convey the video´s purpose. For that reason, consumers might need a recommendation before purchasing. The moderator’s head pops up in a bubble during the first round of sounds, which may seem a bit awkward; however, this visual, along with the later ones of children speaking, is important for kids to see how the mouth is shaped for the formation of words.
What Others Thought: Consumer reviewers on Amazon.com and the company’s website praised this DVD for being visually engaging, relating well to everyday sightings, and prompting kids to repeat the words and sounds they hear. Per numerous comments from parents, it has been a hit with children in the toddler and preschool age range.
Why They´ll Want It: This video was created by a professional who works with children in the field of language learning and understands their developmental needs. It fills an educational and developmental need for content that targets sound association and progress in basic speech patterns. — Julie L. Jones, 11-3-09
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Back to top Name: If You Don´t Take Care of Your Body, Where Else Are You Going to Live? Company: PORCHLIGHT HOME ENTERTAINMENT Age: 6 and up Price: $14.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Hip Hop for Kids: School House Hop Company: JUMPING FISH PRODUCTIONS Age: 5-14 Price: $19.5 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Adventures from the Book of Virtues Company: PORCHLIGHT HOME ENTERTAINMENT Age: 4-11 Price: $29.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Green Baby: "Return to Nature" Company: GREEN BABY PRODUCTIONS Age: 1-6 Price: $19.99 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Gustafer Yellowgold´s Have You Never Been Yellow? Company: APPLE-EYE PRODUCTIONS Age: All Ages Price: $16.99 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: BookBox Stories from Around the World Company: MASTER COMMUNICATIONS Age: 5 and up Price: $14.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: My First Signs Company: BABY EINSTEIN Age: All Ages Price: $14.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Mr. Bach Comes to Call Company: THE CHILDREN'S GROUP INC. Age: 2 and up Price: $21.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Poof! You´re a Magician! Company: MAGIC OF CURTIS Age: 8 and up Price: $14.99 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: The Ugly Duckling and Me: School Days Company: ALLUMINATION FILMWORKS Age: 5 and up Price: $14.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Indie’s Great Teddy Bear Hunt Company: JUNO BABY INC. Age: 1-5 Price: $20 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Easy2Draw Dolphins & Reef Animals with Cordi Company: ARTRAGOUS DESIGNS Age: 8 and up Price: $24.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: The Saddle Club: Horse of a Different Color Company: ALLUMINATION FILMWORKS Age: 8-14 Price: $14.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Internet Safety Company: THE SAFE SIDE, LLC Age: 7-11 Price: $12.99 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Critter Friends Company: THE LITTLE PLAYDATES COMPANY Age: 1-3 Price: $16.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: We Sign – Santa's Favorite Christmas Songs Company: PRODUCTION ASSOCIATES INC. Age: All Ages Price: $14.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: NASCAR Baby Company: TEAM BABY ENTERTAINMENT LP Age: 1 and up Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: BibleMan PowerSource Series: Tuning Out the Unholy Hero Company: TOMMY NELSON Age: 6 and up Price: $14.99 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Cartooning: Shortcuts, Formulas, & Cheap Tricks Company: HAMMINATION Age: 8 and up Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Eloise Goes to School Company: STARZ MEDIA Age: 6-10 Price: $14.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Learn Magic With Lyn Company: LYN DILLIES Age: 7 and up Price: $14.99 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Hip Hop Multiplication DVD Company: KIMBO EDUCATIONAL Age: 8 and up Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: The Animated Noom & Raj Start a Business – the ABC’s of Money Company: MOONJAR Age: 4-8 Price: $9.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Go Potty Go! Company: MAZZARELLA MEDIA Age: 1-3 Price: $14.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Baby IQ: The World Around Us Company: BRAINY BABY Age: 1-3 Price: $17.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Baby China Company: B_ME COMPANY Age: 1-6 Price: $19.99 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: athleticBaby: Soccer! Company: athleticBaby LLC Age: 1 and up Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Wild Animal Baby Company: TOPICS ENTERTAINMENT Age: 2 and up Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Time for Manners: American Manners Company: TIME FOR MANNERS Age: 2 and up Price: $16.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Jim Cosgrove: Mr. Stinky Feet's Road Trip Live Company: WARNER BROS TOYS Age: 3-7 Price: $12.99 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Travel With Kids Hawaii: The Big Island Company: EQUATOR CREATIVE MEDIA Age: 6-10 Price: $14.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Me, Eloise Company: STARZ MEDIA Age: 4-8 Price: $14.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: The Adventures of the Little Prince: The Magic Case Company: KOCH ENTERTAINMENT Age: 6-10 Price: $9.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Yoga Ma Baby Ga Company: DOWN DOG PRODUCTIONS LLC Age: All Ages Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Going to School in India Company: MASTER COMMUNICATIONS Age: 5 and up Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: The Happy Cricket Company: CLEVER IMAGE STUDIOS Age: 3 and up Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Creative Movement for Children Company: YOURCREATIVECHILD.COM Age: 3-6 Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: The Wind in the Willows Company: FREMANTLEMEDIA Age: 3 and up Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: The Happy Elf Company: ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT Age: All Ages Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Baby Dance! Company: SCHOLASTIC Age: 1-5 Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Braincandy — My 5 Senses Company: BRAINCANDY Age: 1-4 Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Teeny-Tiny and the Witch-Woman ... and 4 More Spine-Tingling Tales Company: SCHOLASTIC Age: 3-9 Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Toddler Toons Company: THINGAMAKID Age: 2-5 Price: $9.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Anne of Avonlea Company: KOCH ENTERTAINMENT Age: 6 and up Price: $29.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Mr. Christmas Company: LUMINOUS FILMS INC. Age: 5 and up Price: $14.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Animals — Craft Kit & DVD Company: TOT-A-DOODLE-DO! Age: 3-7 Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Let´s Go Lobstering Company: BARKING LOBSTER ENTERTAINMENT Age: 2 and up Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
What Is It? “Lets Go Lobstering” is a child-friendly introduction into the world of lobster fishing. This 30-minute educational DVD follows the daily life of Lobsterman Chris as he tries to help out his friend in Vermont, where every restaurant seems to have run out of lobster. What We Thought The story starts with a bumbling joe roaming from restaurant to restaurant in search of delicious lobster, which segues nicely into the world of his friend Lobsterman Chris. Chris takes kids into the world of lobstering where they’ll learn everything from the kinds of boats used for catch lobsters, to the equipment needed, to what lobsters like to eat (literally everything). While watching, I took mental notes of questions that I wanted answered. Because this is a homegrown production and not some Discovery Channel exclusive, I assumed that there would be certain items of interest that would be overlooked. I was wrong! The DVD is surprisingly comprehensive and as fun for adults as it is for kids. I would absolutely recommend this for any public or private viewing. Why They´ll Want It Kids will be fascinated by these “insects” of the ocean, as there isn´t much kid-friendly lobster material out there. “Let’s Go Lobstering” does an excellent job imparting an all-around knowledge of lobstering with a style and presentation that is meant for kids, but will appeal to all ages. — Jon Arsenault, 12/4/06
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Back to top Name: Roald Dahl's The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) Company: ART & ENTERTAINMENT Age: 7 and up Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: My Baby Can Talk: First Signs Company: BABY HANDS PRODUCTIONS Age: 1-3 Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: My Baby Can Talk—Sharing Signs Company: BABY HANDS PRODUCTIONS Age: 1-3 Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Cantos y Rimas Company: CANTARIMA MULTIMEDIA LLC Age: 1-5 Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Fifteen Minutes: Of Mice and Mops Company: AMALGAMATED PUPPETWORKS LLC Age: 6 and up Price: $9.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: The Monkey Doos: Things That Go! Company: MAZZARELLA MEDIA Age: 2-6 Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Signing Time! My Favorite Things Volume 6 DVD Company: TWO LITTLE HANDS Age: 1 and up Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Baby Road Trip: City Company: BABY ROAD TRIP LLC Age: 1-3 Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Adventures in Storytelling: Christmas Company: STORYWATCHERS CLUB Age: 4-10 Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Skies Company: COLORCALM INC. Age: All Ages Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Travel With Kids Caribbean DVD Company: EQUATOR CREATIVE MEDIA Age: 5-16 Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Chicka Chicka 1 2 3 ... and More Stories About Counting Company: SCHOLASTIC Age: 2-6 Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Dogs WoW Dogs Company: ANIMAL WOW ENTERTAINMENT INC. Age: 3-7 Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Mommy, Teach Me Spanish! —– Que Duermas Bien (Sweet Dreams) Company: FIESTA FRIENDS LLC Age: All Ages Price: Not Specified Category: Videos & DVDs
What Is It? This video series centers on the home and daily routines of babies and children through age 9. Kids meet Fuerte, the adorable Chihuahua, and his amigo Fuego, a chili pepper. The video also stars the Fiesta Friends Kids, bright graphics, fun musical scenes and unique toys. “Que Duermas bien — Sweet Dreams” centers on the bedtime routine.
What We Thought Cute kids and puppets abound in this colorful instructional DVD. Children learn to sing familiar songs, such as “Are You Sleeping?” in Spanish. The video also teaches them key phrases through repetition. Later in the video, they build on their skills by asking and answering simple questions.
Why They’ll Want It Parents can use this video to gently introduce their kids to a new language. Kids will love the silly puppets and will also have fun learning new words and commands along with the other kids on the video. Since the Fiesta Friends Kids are themselves at different levels of learning Spanish, children won’t feel intimidated if they can’t pronounce all the words exactly right the first time. They’ll also want to replay the DVD again and again — thereby strengthening their skills — to hear their favorite songs and to watch Fuerte and Fuego create mischief in two languages.
— Alison Marek, 4/18/06
Learn more about Mommy, Teach Me Spanish! —– Que Duermas Bien (Sweet Dreams)
Back to top Name: Stranger Safety Company: THE SAFE SIDE, LLC Age: 5-10 Price: $19.98 Category: Videos & DVDs
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Back to top Name: Yoga, Ages 8-15 Company: BABY BUMBLEBEE Age: 8-15 Price: $19.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
What Is It? This DVD is designed to teach kids the basics of Yoga as well as good nutrition and fitness. Kids follow three tween/teen girls and a teen girl narrator through the basic Yoga poses, punctuated by cute pop-ups, such as “I hope nobody sees me doing this” and “This makes me feel like super-girl.” The DVD includes a brief introduction to the history of Yoga, 30 minutes of standing poses, 15 minutes of sitting poses, Teen Talk interviews, healthy lifestyle information and free On-Line Resources.
What We Thought The workout was more thorough than some Yoga videos meant for adults, and provided a good introduction to basic Yoga poses. The girls in the video are real girls and not pro athletes, which should make kids feel as though they can do the poses, too. The narrator explains the poses and reminds the viewers to keep breathing, just like a real Yoga instructor. Pop ups show the name of each pose, so kids can remember them. The sections on nutrition are also basic, but are a good way to get kids thinking about what kind of lifestyles they’re going to choose for themselves.
Why They’ll Want It Kids love to watch other kids. Listening to a teen narrator and watching the girls do the poses will make kids feel that Yoga can be a part of their lives without becoming a geek or a super athlete. Since the DVD is divided into sections, kids can choose to do either the sitting poses or the standing poses separately or, if they have enough time, do them both together as a long and thorough workout. The Teen Interviews may inspire them to ask their own friends similar questions, and come up with answers that will help them integrate nutritious food and exercise into their daily lives.
-- Alison Marek, 12/2/05
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Back to top Name: Follow Jade! Let's Visit Chinese Kindergarten Company: MASTER COMMUNICATIONS Age: 5 and up Price: $14.95 Category: Videos & DVDs
What is It? In Follow Jade! Let´s Visit Chinese Kindergarten, Jade uses her bilingual, activity-based instruction to introduce viewers to colors, numbers and typical Chinese songs.
What We Thought Parents who want to expose their children to world cultures will do well to take a look at the Follow Jade! Series.
Why They’ll Want It With a resurgent Chinese economy, you can expect an increasing awareness of Chinese language and culture in North America.
--Jeremy Loudenback
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