The best DVDs for babies create a stimulating and engaging learning experience for them to develop. Bright colors and soothing music work together to make the best entertainment. Here are a few DVDs that have been known to be loved by little ones without being too overbearing or scary for them.
For speech development
Baby Babble
Staff Pick
This DVD focuses on speech development. For the talkers, this movie gives them fun characters that talk to them on their level while encouraging them to form words and communicate on their own. For those babies that are having a hard time finding their voice, Baby Babble is still a good way to introduce them to the world of speech and encourage word learning. Using colorful toys and fun music, Baby Babble was developed by pediatric speech therapists and is recommended for children from 3 months to 30 months of age.
Introduction to the arts
HBO Presents: Classical Baby
This DVD uses fun animal animation to introduce your baby to the amazing world of the fine arts. It uses clever choreography from George Balanchine to encourage movement and dancing in the style of Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers. It introduces your child to great composers like Mozart, Bach, and Bartok. It also stimulates their development with colorful art shows that feature the amazing artwork of Monet and Degas. HBO Presents: Classical Baby is recommended for children up to 4 years of age.
Classic nursery rhymes
Little Baby Bum Nursery Rhymes: Volume 1
This animated DVD uses fun animation of animals, objects, and kids to bring to life 33 of the most favorite and recognized nursery rhymes. These include toddler favorites Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and The Itsy Bitsy Spider. Nursery rhymes are presented using memorable songs that will be fun for your child to sing along with or fondly perform later on their own. The movie is approximately one hour long.
Body and sensory learning
Elmo's World: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
It's hard to find a child that doesn't know or love Sesame Street's fuzzy red monster, Elmo. Always happy with DVD teaches your child about basic body parts and their functions. This includes those used to hear, see, touch, smell, and taste. Using music and dance, Elmo gets your child moving along with laughing as they learn all about themself. This DVD includes bonus features including the full-length video, "The Street We Live On."
Simple communication
Baby Signing Time!: It's Baby Signing Time
Teaching your baby sign language is a great way to beginning communicating with them even before they are able to vocally form words or sentences. This DVD introduces both your baby and you to simple American Sing language words to help them communicate when they are hungry, sleepy, ready to play, or hurt. Other fun words include animals, toys, and "I love you."
Bottom line
Some babies may enjoy a full-length featured fill, but most don't have the attention span to sit through one. Besides, it's better to give your child something to watch that is both fun and educational. Baby Babble is a good one to start with because it introduces your child to sounds and speech to help encourage them to find their own voice.
To get you baby moving, we recommend the HBO Presents: Classical Baby. This movie introduces your baby to the fine arts and the masters behind them, like Mozart and Degas. It also has a dance portion to encourage your child to move while learning the music of the best composers.K