So Smart! First Words DVD Series

So Smart! First Words DVD Series. 2002. Running time: 30 minutes. So Smart Productions.

Website: www.store.sosmart.com

Annotation:

A set of DVDs for very young children and their parents intended to develop vocabulary using simple animated stories.

Personal Reaction: 

The So Smart! First Words series is aset of DVDs for very young children and their parents intended to develop vocabulary using simple animated stories. The award winning series has garnered praise from various publications and organizations, including Parenting Magazine.

Each DVD introduces simple vocabulary words for children at a gentle pace, which allows time for children and parents to react to and talk about the words and images. Parents are instructed to talk to their children during the DVDs and to encourage children to dance, clap, laugh and respond to the DVDs in their own ways. Although each DVD is 30 minutes long, parents are asked to use the videos in 10-15 minute increments, depending on each child’s attention span.

The animation employs simple geometric shapes, which spin and tumble into place to create the various animals, vehicles and objects in the videos. Gentle piano music provides the soundtrack, and sound effects add aural interest to the animation. Short sequences take into consideration the attention spans of very young children, but unfortunately the animation is unremarkable and the voice-over narration often falls flat.

The DVDs are promoted for children 9-36 months of age, yet research suggests that television is detrimental for children under the age of two. The So Smart! Series is a satisfactory addition to the number of DVDs marketed to families with young children, yet is really no match for good board books read by an engaging caregiver.