Customer Reviews

Baby Einstein - Baby's Favorite Places - First Words Around Town

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As a counselor for families with young babies, I have had the opportunity to review a number of language programs (both sign and verbal) for preverbal babies and babies who are just beginning to verbalize.

As with Baby Wordsworth the production quality of this DVD is excellent, however the words and signs presented are not appropriate for either preverbal babies who are trying to communicate basic wants and needs or toddlers who are beginning to speak. Instead of offering words and signs such as eat, drink, milk, more, mommy, daddy, baby etc. - this program presents bank, florist, bakery, etc. Not only is the choice of words and signs questionable but the visual distinctions between scenes such as cafe, restaurant, and market is difficult for a baby to understand.

The format is also geared towards older children. Five words and signs are presented in rapid succession and then extended scenes for each word are shown. Then the same five words and signs are offered again by a child of four years or older. In addition, the signs themselves are difficult for young babies as most of the signs are combinations of more than one sign such as "ice cream" plus "store."

There are no babies signing or speaking in this production and no tutorial for parents of hearing babies who are teaching their babies to use sign language. I recommend the "My Baby Can Talk" series to teach either sign language or first spoken words to babies.

I had to get the new Baby Einstein DVD for my 19 month old daughter. She loves BE and I knew she would enjoy Baby's Favorite Places.

Her vocabulary has expanded because of how interactive these videos are for young toddlers and babies. She didn't just stare at the screen blankly. Instead, she was trying to imitate some of the signs for the words and laughed at the puppets.

If your child is familiar with BE, don't miss out on this DVD because it's one of their best. It's very much like Baby Wordsworth and has the signs to go with the words. I enjoyed seeing my daughter make connections with what she already knows such as looking outside for our fence as the word fence was introduced.

This video is interactive, fun, and is just right for the short attention span of a little one. I have a feeling this will be one of her favorites.

I have had the pleasure of teaching my hearing grandchildren to sign and I was looking forward to adding this video to our signing library. I was disappointed with both the format and the word selection. The format does not hold the attention of my grandchildren and the words are of marginal interest to them - market, bakery, florist, etc. My grandchildren are more interested in signs for words such as milk, eat, more, all done, mommy, daddy, baby, etc. Perhaps this video is more appropriate for older children?

My grandchildren have learned more than forty signs from the My Baby Can Talk videos - they are simply enchanted by these videos. Even my older grandchildren continue to watch these videos with their younger siblings and they all interact with the videos while they watch. I would recommend this series for preverbal babies and babies who are beginning to speak.

I've always loved Baby Einstein videos for my kids, so I was thrilled to find a BE signing vid. But this was pretty poorly considered. The words they teach baby to sign are ridiculous. What baby needs to know Salon, or Bank? Babies need useful signs for what's around them. Playground is a word they teach, but it's a complicated two-step sign that a kid would need to be two or older to accomplish. By then, the child would be able to say the word easier! If you're looking for a video to teach babies sign language I strongly recommend looking elsewhere.

I bought this video for a 2 year old who is high energy and slower in speech. I have heard of Baby Einstein, but have not tried it before. The puppets and music is entertaining and she learned some new vocabulary words. My 2 year old is almost 3 so this is more appropriate for her age, but not for younger babies. There are very good vocabulary videos for the almost 3 set like Four Baby Bumblebees and Brainy Yogis: Everyday Words which illustrate the meaning of the words a little clearer. I found getting the Baby Einstein flashcards and board book helpful, too.

As the mom of a toddler, I have found this to be a very helpful learning tool for both of us. This is, as far as I can tell, the third in a series of sign language and verbal skills DVD's. As the title implies, this DVD covers words for places that parents often take their babies and toddlers every day...around town. It teaches words and signs such as bank, library, sidewalk, school, swing, slide, etc.

I wouldn't recommend it for a younger baby. We purchased it when our daughter was 20 months and she took right to it. She is now 25 months, and she enjoys the older kids performing the signs, and I as a parent appreciate Marlee Matlin's clear signing directions.

I read the critical reviews before purchasing this. If this is your first sign language DVD, I would recommend getting Baby Einstein's "First Signs," which includes simple words like mommy, daddy, baby, cereal, ball, more, all done, etc. Then watch "Baby Wordsworth" which adds words like cat, dog, clock, computer, chair, lamp, etc. Then "First Words Around Town," this DVD. Just like with a movie series, you want to watch the first one before watching the sequels.

If you are planning to just turn this on and leave the room, then it probably isn't for you. However, if your goal is to teach your child sign language and verbal skills, while you learn at the same time, this is a great tool. Learn with your child and then reinforce when you are visiting the places around your town.

The only reason I didn't give this five stars is that I think the age recommendation should be 18 months and up instead of 12.

I have a special needs child who loves most all Baby Einstein videos. He walked away from this one after 1 minute. So did my typical 18 month old. It does very little to engage the children. It's boring, and like the previous mom mentioned...."what baby needs to know the sign for 'bank' and 'salon'?". "Signing Times" videos are much better.

It teaches common words/phrases in English as well as ASL (American Sign Language) in an entertaining way. My daughter LOVES it as well as most of the Baby Einstein videos.

As a new buyer of Baby Einstein, I was very impressed with it. The words and signs presented were easy enough for my 2 year old son to grasp, and for the two weeks we have had this title, he has started signing me some of the words (especially the easier ones, like store.) The only warning I have for this DVD is that your child will want to watch Baby Einstein over and over again; this, however, is very good becuase I would rather have my son learning sign language that watching other movies that have to eduational value.

Our now 20 month old daugther watches a BE DVD while getted her neb. treatments. She has Cystic Fibrosis and her lung treatments can last almost an hour long, twice a day. We have like 10-12 BE Dvds. She loves the puppers! Even mimics their sounds over talking. I have to question some of the loctions in the main street part but over all she loved watched the Dog puppet doing stuff. Was sitting there laughing. I do wish they had more simipler signs for a younger toddler to learn; like- "more"; "all done"; etc. Overall we are very impress with the BE DVDs. Our daugther keeps still throughout the show.
I strongly suggest getting into BE Dvds if your child has to go through any type of treatments that can take a long time and they have to sit still.
Kristen