Customer Reviews

Baby Einstein - Baby Wordsworth [VHS]

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

As a counselor for families with young babies, I have had the opportunity to review a number of sign language resources for preverbal babies.

This DVD seems more appropriate for older children rather than preverbal babies who are trying to communicate basic wants and needs. Some of the most important first words and signs for young babies are not offered - eat, drink, milk, more, etc. Instead this DVD offers words and signs such as computer, puzzle, clock, etc.

In addition, there are no babies signing or speaking in this production and it lacks an appropriate 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.

We have been trying to get out daughter to say more than the few words she knows for a while. Once she started watching this she can't stop talking! It is great! She knows what everything around the house is - after only watching a couple of times. She has been talking and repeating almost anything anyone says since she started watching this video. While TV is not a babysitter, educational videos have a place for small children. A review of the newest Baby Einstein ranted about ADHD and more if children watch TV before age 2 - do more research! I am a Sociologist/Psychologist and if I thought that it was harming my child or was uneducational, I would not let them do it.

My two cents on the new DVD. My little one just turned three so we haven't bought any new BE shows in a while but we wanted this one because of the signing. My child has been learning American sign language since he was only a few months old so he loves signing shows. He likes this show and has watched it several times. It is not nearly as good as other shows we have seen that feature signing but still worth the 16.00 we spent(on sale at Target). Cameron's favorite new sign is mirror. He learned it after watching the show once and has been doing it when he is in the bathroom and can watch himself in the mirror.

The BE shows are so popular it may get new people interested in signing with their little ones. So when they decide they want to learn more they will search and find other signing products that will be more helpful to them. Hint Hint do a internet search and you will find an excellent series of signing videos for children. Your kids will learn so much so fast you will be amazed.

The signs they use are sometimes difficult as has already been
mentioned. I didn't feel they were wrong or not ASL but just
regional variations. Computer, blocks, puzzle etc. all have several steps to the signs. But I think kids will be fine. We already know how easily kids pick up new signs and I don't think it will deter them at all. It may just take a little more practice to get those signs down. The sign they show for computer is not what I learned but it actually conceptually makes more sense. So I liked that sign.

I also love Marlee Matlin and kids like her from blues
clues. I don't feel she would show us signs that are not true ASL. I do wish they had more kids doing the signs. I think children would be more interested in watching it if lots of different children of different ages were shown. Very small babies can sign and I would like to see that demonstrated.

One thing really bothered me as a mom. When the mice go into the
bathroom and get cleaned up. They take baths/showers then the blue mouse goes off screen and you hear the toilet flush. Then he walks right by the sink and does not wash his hands. Hopefully kids won't notice that bad example but I bet some will. Overall a fairly good show but it could be much better with some changes. There are much better signing videos out there.

We have an active 11-month old that has taken to this new Baby Einstein video quickly. The fact that we were already working with him on signing some common items made this video's use of sign language very helpful. The DVD takes viewers through the house, showing puppets using the items, people using the items, etc., with sign language included to help a baby learn some early signs.

My occupational therapist wife has said that use of sign language helps develop speaking skills more quickly, so we are hopeful that this new DVD will add more to our son's signing vocabulary. The music and colors are enough to entertain, and we have no problem interesting our son in the video (which he now begun signing to see). What's that tell you?

This DVD was very disappointing. My 19 month old son loves the entire collection of Baby Einstein, but this one does not hold his attention. The content is very poor and not suitable for teaching beginning sign language to babies. Many of the signs demonstrated on Baby Wordsworth are too complicated for an infant to learn.

We have My Baby Can Talk, which is formatted very much like the other Baby Einstein DVDs. My son loves that one and has learned practically all the signs on it. We're waiting for the second volume to come out and were hoping that the Baby Wordsworth would be a nice complement to it (not the case!). We also have the first few Volumes of Signing Time. My son has learned those signs as well, but he likes the imagery on My Baby Can Talk better whereas Signing Time shows a lot more children actually demonstrating the signs. Hope this review helps.

My son is facinated and sometimes tries to do a sign. He can be playing and when it comes on he'll stop what he is doing and just watch. He's one, so he's kind of back and forth. But he definately loves it.

One concern that I have is that there are several things that I wouldn't want to teach my child. Like, jumping on the bed, or licking up spilled milk. I know the character is a cat, but a baby isn't going to make that deduction.

I think the signing is well done, and the fact that in addition to Marlee Matlin they later show a child doing the signs. It's a great model for them.

Overall I would definately recommend it.

I LOVE this DVD!! I have almost all of the Baby Einstein DVDs, and for those of you who have not become believers, I swear that these are a godsend as it has been my only sanity saver since having a child... They are the ONLY thing that will calm down my collicky baby, who is now 6 months old, and still very fussy. I put her in her "swing" and pop a Baby Einstein in and *presto!* I have 50 minutes of free time. (This only works through 1 DVD... then she's done...)

The colors and puppets are fun. I love the cat & the mice in this DVD. The sign language is pretty cool too. The only thing I'd say, agreeing with some of the other reviewers, is that this is definitely for an older Einstein crowd - like 12-18 months old. My baby liked parts of it, but eventually got bored. I still suggest getting it however. You won't be disappointed.

(My only gripe is with Disney for the LONG commercials they have at the beginning of these Baby Einsteins for Disney products - even babies can't escape commercials!! I wish Disney wouldn't use their products as advertising propoganda... Mickey Mouse, can you hear me?)

I am a lover of ALL things Einstein, and a speech therapist so I was excited when I got this dvd. Unfortunately the pace is so slow, and they only show the sign for each item two times about five minutes apart. It is not nearly enough for a small child or a child with delays to pick up. I can barely watch it, and its the ONLY ONE my 11 month old doesn't watch, and I think we have 6 dvds.

The music, graphics and puppetry in this DVD are superb. The flaw in this DVD is that it doesn't give the non-hearing impared child what it needs. Children need to see a close-up view of a face and lips, mouthing new words. Children who can't yet talk fluidly shouldn't be losing half the screen to signing. It's too confusing. I have a pair of two year olds that clearly get distracted by the hand movements. One major obstacle that most kids face when learning a language is to learn the correct pronunciation of words. They need to see EXACTLY what the tongue and lips are doing to make a sound. The relative size of the mouth of the signer on the screen in this DVD is too small. The signing version should be a special feature. Or make a non-signing version as the special feature where my babies can see a close up of a face mouthing words. Once they can correcly pronounce the words, then they can watch the signing and learn it. But give me a choice here.

I just watched the video with my son and he is a big fan of Baby Einstein Videos. This is the only video that did not hold his interest. There are alot less puppet time in the video. The video goes through the rooms of your house and reads the name of the common words in that room and they do sign language in it. It is definately educational but he started to walk away from the tv. I probably would not buy it if I had the opportunity to review it.