My son up to this point has LOVED the B. Einstein videos, however I think he is getting a bit tired of them and I am looking for something that could be the next step? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Hi Jennifer! My son was the same way he loved B. einstein and then we introduced him to Bob the Builder and he loves it. Maybe a little too much, but its a great cartoon. Sometimes hard to find, but they do cary some of the dvds at wal-mart and its on PBS at 2:oopm so you could tivo. I hope this helps.
K. King
My 16 month old is head over heals in love with Thomas and Friends on PBS. He doesn't get the story line yet but he loves watching the trains, or "Choo Choos" as he calls them!
Our twins have loved the B. Einsein videos as well. I think I own every one that they have. Variation is probably the key. We found that ours really enjoy the Seasame Street Beginnings videos. I really like them too as what they show are family members interacting with their little ones. The songs are catchy and there is a segment in one where B. big bird listens to "twinkle-twinkle-little star with his auntie Nanni. She does a "hula-lullaby" version of it with some hand actions. We do them with our twins and my daughter now tries "singing it" and mimics some of the hand actions well. Anyway - I recommend that video. Also recommend "B. Babble"...I was looking for a video that could help with language. I read about this one and it got great reviews from parents etc. My son LOVES it. It's very simplistic...uses simple words, simple actions with toys, some sign language and shows key sounds being made on facial close ups. I think it is terrific and it may give you some ideas on how to work with your child in different ways. My twins also love the "Bear in the Big Blue House" videos. I don't think they are old enough to understand them completely, but they each have a good message, are entertaining to watch, and most importantly I can tolerate it more than say a "Barney" video. My kids have also from time to time have enjoyed watching a few things on TV as they have become a bit older (I think Playhouse Disney and sometimes there are a few that are OK on Channel 13). They enjoy things the Wiggles, The Little Einstiens, Mickey Mouse, Clifford the Big Red dog, and Charlie and Lola. We try to limit their TV/video time to just a bit in the morning while they are finishing breakfast (or when they are drinking their milk first thing in the morning before breakfast) and then again sometimes about an hour before bed after their baths as we are winding down for the day. Anyway - best of luck to you! Hope some of these recommendations help.
-Twins Mom
Your not alone. We have all the B. Einstein videos too and my son 2 1/2 and daughter 15 mo did too. Over the last 6 mo we been trying different things. They liked the New Little Einstein its for Toddlers.
The most liked video is the Sing Along and we got a few that has nothing but Nurser songs. They have different ones out there they don't seem to care. We got one with Singing Babies and they love watching the babies and the music. I lay them during play time and both my son and daughter love them.
Disney has New Winnie the Pooh vidoes Numbers, ABC's Shapes and Words. They liek those it has a story and music songs too. The ones with shapes just came out.
Hope this helps.
Veggie Tales are good, and so is Thomas the Tank Engine:)
My son is 15 months and LOVES B. Einstein as well. When he gets fussy it calms him as well. Have you tried the little Einstein or Barney. We only watch videos or educational tv only.
Good Luck
Have you gone through ALL of the B. Einstein collection? They have several for older babies/toddlers. B. MacDonald and B. Gallileo are two that my kids like. Also, I try to rotate the videos. They'll get bored with one after a while, so I bring out a new one for a few weeks. It's been so long since my 16mo old has seen the "early" Einstein's (B. Mozart, Bach or Beethoven) that he's captivated by them again. We have also enjoyed the Praise B. collection. There are also some good ones from a company called B. Genius. We have one on shapes. Of course now, because of my 3-yr-old's influence, the B. asks for the Wiggles when it's TV time. He also watches Elmo occasionally. I can't tell if he actually enjoys the videos, or if he's just copying his sister.... Whatever it is, it occupies them long enough for me to cook dinner!
You may want to check with your pediatrician. Most pediatricians recommend that children not watch tv/videos before the age of 2 years. Surely there's some other activity you can get him involved in that is not related to television or videos. What about a B. LeapPad? My youngest daughter played with her B. LeapPad until she turned 4 this year and now she's ready for My First LeapPad.
If you insist on videos, something I've heard is better for them at that age is actually watching themselves on t.v. If you have access to a video camera that will allow you to instantly playback your recorded video is a wonderful idea. My kids are always asking me to play the Sydney or Samantha video, or mommie's and daddy's wedding video. Home videos may be better developmentally at his age because he'll actually recognized the people in the video. Another thought is the new children's video games availabe that you can plug into your own t.v. and totally interact with. Of course, you'll need to be with him to help him with the interaction.
My son went from B. Einstein to Caillou.
Our 20 month old son has been going through the same thing. Right now he's in to The Wiggles, Elmo, Barney and Blue's Clues (over his head, but he loves it!). Another series that my older son loved when he was a B. (he's 5 now) is a fabulous series of Christian music videos called Cedarmont Kids. (He has always loved music!). Also, try the Laurie Berkner Band or Karen Henley if he seems to have a natural interest in music. Neither one of my sons were interested in animation as babies/toddlers. So as much as I tried VeggieTales and Little Einstein's, they never worked for us. There are a lot of great choices out there!
Hi Jennifer. My son loved the B. Einstein videos too. We graduated to Elmo and Sesame Street (they sing and dance a lot which keeps their interest), and recently we've made the switch to Mickey Mouse. Not sure what's next...
I'd just pick up a couple videos and see what peaks his interest. Don't give up after the first try though. My son has paid no attention, then 2 or 3 times later he's glued to that same video.
Good luck
K.
My daughter LOVED the B. Einstein videos as well as we switched to Noodlebug. These are videos produced by the Cricket Magazine people. They have books, magazines and videos. My mother-in-law is a teacher and she subscribes to the mags for my kids and they LOVE them too!! Good luck!
VEGGIE TALES!!!!!!!!!!! I love them! N. in Kaufman mom of 2yr boy
Jennifer,
My daughter has loved the Schoolhouse Rock videos. I purchased them on E-bay for about 6-7 dollars. They have Grammer Rock, Science Rock, and Multiplication Rock. I love the songs. My daughter wants to sing them before bed as her lullaby. She's just turned 3 but she has been watching them since she was about 1 1/2 yrs old. We don't watch television so, these were great!! I highly recommend.
My son would never watch anything but B. Einstein up until about 3 months ago. he is now about 18 months. Anyway, I went out and got some of the older ones like B. Wordsworth- the one with the sign language. Afterward he got RAELLY into Jack's Big Music Show that comes on noggin. We would Tivo it and he would watch the episodes over and over. In the past 2 weeks he has finally graduated to Blue's Clues. Thing about the B. movies is my son loved music! So if you find something with lots of music he might be interested. There is the Sesame Street 25th Year Celebration. Barney has lots of music, and of course Jack's Big Music Show! Good Luck!
N. B.
Mom Advice- http://www.mymommycentral.com
My daughter has really started learning stuff from Dora (I know not the best show) but I heard her say Vaminos (lets go) the other day so shes learning spanish and not even knowing it. Also Dieago is good (we went to the zoo and she was caliing the animals by there proper names and the zoo keeper was so impressed). They really pick up on stuff that you dont realize. Blues Clues is also a good one for numbers and following directions and putting together ideas. There is alot of junk tv shows so you kinda have to watch them yourself and decided. Also if make an effort to watch them w/ the kids you can point out things they wont notice and it will be an learning time instead of just tv time.
