Conference moira::parenting_v3

    
    Lorain,
    
    The Elephant Show is something like Lois, Bram, and ???.
    
    My personal suggestion would be the Raffi In Concert tape.   Jason
    is absolutely addicted to this tape and we, like you, are getting
    pretty sick of it.   He pitches a fit if we try to put in one
    of his other tapes (Winnie-the-Pooh or Disney Singalong #7) probably
    because they aren't people like you say.   I'd never thought of
    that as being the difference, thanks!
    
    Carol

    The trio with two women and a man was probably Lois, Sharon, and Bram. 
    I know they have audio tapes with children's songs (Brian loved their
    "Mostly Mother Goose" tape) and I'm pretty sure they have video tapes as
    well.  The Early Learning Center has a good selection.
    
    Does Matthew like Mr. Rogers?  Brian has two of his tapes and watches
    them over and over.  The two he has are "Music and Feelings" (this is my
    favorite) and "What is Love?", but there are four or five all together. 
    Each tape has a whole story on it which goes back and forth between Mr.
    Roger's house and the land of Make Believe (like the show does).  I've
    never seen these tapes in a store, but you can order them from either
    Signals or Wireless which are the catalogues that come from PBS.
    
                                                  Tracy

    My mother just gave us a copy of a video called Babysongs (it was a
    homemade copy so I don't know where it originally came from or who
    publishes it).  It's kind of like a video record with a lot of Hap
    Palmer (?) songs with films of kids illustrating the words of the song. 
    For example, they have "My Mommy Comes Back", a song about how my mommy
    leaves me at daycare, but she always comes back to get me.  Or, "Today
    I Took My Diapers Off" about potty-training.  You get the idea.
    
    It's kind of fun.  Marc seems to enjoy watching it, and I think the
    tunes are catchy.  My husband calls them 'baby propaganda'!
    

    We have BabySongs also and Steven loves it too.  He has
    a whole little ritual for every song especially the
    "Don't Wash My Blanket, Don't Take It Away" when he
    has to go and get HIS blanket from the crib.
    
    Baby Songs is Parents Magazine affiliated.  I think
    they are the ones that publish it.  
    
    We bought ours at the Toy Store in Sudbury (the name
    escapes me...but it's in the same plaza as TJ Maxx and
    Cherry, Webb and Touraine on Rt 20).
    
    I imagine video stores like Blockbuster would have it too.
    
    Linda

    I vote for Babysongs and Babysongs 2, as well as the Raffi tapes.  The
    latest one (Raffi in Concert, I think) wasn't that good cuz about 1/2
    the songs are in French or Spanish and my kids like to listen to the
    words.  The one I vote the best is the one with the song that goes
    "Bumpin up and down in my little red wagon" and has the song "The
    Wheels of the Bus (go round and round)".  Lechmere usually has a great
    selection, as does the Early Learning Center.
    The Disney Sing-Along songs are pretty good.  The Heigh-Ho is the best
    (in my kids' opinion).  It features songs from kids shows, with the
    scene in the show when they were sung.  But they're REALLY afraid of
    Zorro ... hmmmmmm.

    
    In addition to all the above, our two boys have at one time or another
    have become extremly attached to :
    
      All the Herbie Disney Movies 
      Mary Poppins
      Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
      The Christmas Toy - by Jim Hensen
      All The Shinning Times station shows
      Back to the future 1,2,3 
      Tennage Mutant Ninja Turtles ( They finally wore it out )
      
      If it has flying cars, trains, or moving talking toys they sit in a 
    deep trance and watch it over and over again !
      
    

    
    re: .5
    
    I checked the name of the Raffi tape that I recommended.  It's
    title is "A Young Children's Concert with Raffi".   There is
    ONE song on the tape that is 1/2 French, 1/2 English ("There's
    a Rat" is the song) - kinda stands to reason as I believe that
    Raffi is from Canada.   This tape has both of the songs that you
    recommend (and "Mr. Sun", another favorite of Jason's).
    
    You can request to pre-view any of the tapes at Early Learning
    Centre, for what its worth.
    
    re: .6
    
    Just my humble opinion, but I would NOT recommend the TMNT (turtles) 
    tapes to anyone; especially a two-year old who probably hasn't been 
    overly exposed to this stuff yet (might as well take advantage of that
    fact and not *introduce* him to the stuff!).
    
    Carol
    

Evan, who will be 3 in March, really likes the Disney Singalong tapes.
He has had "Bare Necessities" for a year and a half and we are still not
tired of it.  He got "Zipadeedoodah" for Christmas, too.  The advantage to
the Disney songs for *me* is that I already really like them!

    Carol

    
    My son Spencer who is also 2 had a couple of videos he loved, but I was
    soooooo SICK of them!  Babysongs was one of them.  One day as I was
    watching it for about the zillioninth time, I thought they should make
    another one of these...well, gee, someone else thought of it too!
    
    Babysongs (white box
    More Babysongs (yellow box)
    Even More Babysongs (blue box)
    
    these are all great!  Also, another series that Spencer LOVES is 
    KIDSSONGS.  There are a  total of 11 in the series and they all have a
    theme to them - things that kids are really interested in.  A couple of
    them are a little educational too, i.e. HOME ON THE RANGE teaches them
    a little about american history through songs and Uncle Sam talking ot
    the kids.
    
    Early Learning Center is the best place for video selections.  They
    also have a great selection of Sesame Street videos - never knew they
    made so many.  Especially if your son likes music (hes also hooked on
    Raffi) they way Spencer is, Sesame makes sing a longs, and dancing with
    Grover etc.
    
    Good luck
    elizabeth
    

    Here's another vote for Kidsongs!
    
    Nick (16 mos.) is totally mesmerized by his 3 Kidsongs tapes: 'A Day at
    Camp', 'Old McDonald's Farm', and 'Let's Ride the Rollercoaster' (my
    personal favorite...;^). Lot's of singing, dancing, etc., performed mostly 
    by kids (some adult participation: camp conselors, Mr & Mrs MacDonald,
    etc.). I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but when we put in one of
    these tapes, Nick 'locks-on' so intently that he doesn't acknowledge
    anything else going on around him...just the ticket for giving Mom &
    Dad 30 minutes or so of quiet time...
    
    We also have the Raffi concert tape, but Nick doesn't show too much 
    interest in it...Mom & Dad enjoy it, though. (Of course, we haven't 
    had to watch it a bazillion times, yet!)
    
    The Babysongs tapes mentioned earlier sound interesting...I think we'll 
    try them out.
    
    P.S. Lechmere's has a good selection of Kidsongs videos: you can
    usually find 9 or more of the 12 or so titles. Also, they often go on
    sale for $9.99. 
    

    I decided to pick up a new kids' tape when we were at ToysRUs on
    Saturday.  I selected something called WEESING because the songs
    looked good and there were people in the video.   It's AWFUL
    in everyone's opinion who has watched it (mom, dad, Jason, grandma).  
    Too bad you can't take them back after you've opened them!
    
    carol

    Carol,
    
    What didn't you like about it?  We're in the market for 
    a new video tape and I have heard nothing but good about
    "WEE Sing" tapes...
    
    A suggestion:  Rent a tape before buying it.  I noticed
    that Block Buster Video rents kids tapes for $1.50 for 3 nights.
    
    I think that's the route we will go...
    
    Linda

    We found with our boys that some of the musicals became very popular at
    one point or another.  Justin first became interested in videos when he
    saw "Lady and the Tramp" at about 2 years.  Soon after he loved the
    "Cinderella" and "Wizard of Oz" we taped on TV.  These two are now the
    3 year old's favorites.  All of these have been played so many times
    they know the entire scripts - and different lines from Wizard still
    come out during conversation...amazing their grasp of the language, and
    their memories! 
    
    I always thought some of these were better than the simple song videos
    because they had stories and music....and sometimes even a lesson.  It
    usually gave the imagination a workout, too.  Many hours were spent
    playing various characters from the Wizard of Oz (particularly the
    witch and TinMan...."we have to save Dorothy!")
    
    Also, have you considered the book and cassettes?  We gave ours the
    Fisher Price cassette player and several of these sets.  The player has
    proven to be indestructible (didn't sound great after a dip in the
    pool, but recovered after 2 days of drying out!).  The tapes entertain,
    especially in the car.  that way they listen to theirs in the backseat,
    I have mine in the front, and everyone is happy.  I don't like them in
    front of the TV more than 2 hours a day (during dinner prep, and 1/2
    hour before bedtime).

    Linda,
    
    What don't I like about it?    Well, the songs aren't "up, it seems
    to be rather slow and monotonous.   Also, the tape that we have 
    (sorry, I don't recall the name) has the children's stuffed animals
    come to life for a birthday party...the animals are just really
    weird looking, not friendly and nice like say the Disney characters
    come to life.   Jason watched it for only about 2 minutes then 
    got down to play with his toys (as opposed to being glued to the
    set like with Raffi).   Perhaps he's too young....the tapes says for
    kids 2-8years, he's 16 months.
    
    Carol

    It's not a video but I can vouch for 16-month-old Daniela really loving
    a cassette by Woodie Guthrie called Songs for Mother and Child to grow
    on.  Plus we love it.  I've never heard these songs before; they're for
    really little people and with very simple accompaniment, drums, spoons,
    tambourine, etc.  I heartily recommend it as an alternative to a lot of
    the over-produced stuff around.  I'm personally aiming to keep the
    video alternatives away as long as possible.  If she doesn't like CNN,
    then she can just go read her books or see if she can get the round
    shape in the round hole!

    
    Re .7 Thanks for the opinion.
    
       But my oldest is 4 as well as his two buddies. For a while they
    all played turtles kinda like the three musketters. Can't really help
    it if the 2 year old gets into the act too. They were all turltes for
    halloween, they had a great time. But its all worn off now, we only
    hear the turtle chant once in a great while. I wonder what the fad will
    be for this year ?
    

    
              My son (he'll be 5 in April) has loved his Wee Sing tape
       called "Granpa's Magic Toys" for the last three years. The first
       time I watched it I thought "Yuck, this stinks". But after watching
       my son watch it I began to realize that he enjoyed it because of its
       simplicity, the very thing that made me dislike it. I would be very
       surprised if you can get a 16 month old to sit still for a video no
       matter what it is. If you do let me know what it was, cause my 20
       month old daughter would'nt stay still for more than 15 seconds!
    
                                                       Randy

    My little girl loves the video called "Challenger Phonetic Adventure"! 
    I love it too.  Miss Becky and a group of other characters and puppets
    music and songs teach beginning phonics.  It also teaches the parents 
    how to practice at home.  It came in a kit with 2 activity books and 
    instructions, an audio tape to sing along with, the video and the
    alphabet cards to practice with.  It cost 49.95 but it was worth it!  
    
    You can buy the kit through an 800 number 1-800-477-5551.
    
    Challenger Pre-schools is well known in California and around the West
    for 30 years of quality schools.
    
    The video covers more than just phonics it has:
    
    alike and different
    colors
    letters
    straight and round
    left and right
    beginning sounds
    and I can't remember what else.
    
    It can capture the attention of even my 12 month old who will watch
    nothing else all the way through but will pull up a chair and watch the
    Challenger Video till the end.  
    
    My little girl especially likes Letter Lady and if I put the video in
    and she's someplace else she'll run in to watch.
      
    I like it because it's teaching her phonics as well.
    
    Marcelle Jacobsen
     

    I'm adding an attachment to my comments about the Challenger Phonetic
    Adventure Video because now my little girl is almost 16 months old and
    she has begun recognizing and saying letters!  About a month ago she
    started pointing to letters on my shirts and saying their names or what
    sound they make.  At first I thought it was a fluke but now she knows
    over 1/2 of the letters of the alphabet and is pointing them out on
    signs, books, magazines, cereal boxes, and clothing and is saying the 
    names or sounds.  She is learning more of them each week.
    
    I'm amazed!  We have not wanted to push her but she loves to find
    letters on everything!  I just bought her two sets of magnetic letters and
    she'll spend ages sorting out the letters in groups of matching pairs
    and placing them in the right direction on the board.  She'll bring me
    the B's and hand them to me and say "B" or bring the S's and say
    "ssss".   
    
    Just thought I'd update anyone interested.  I am really sold on this
    video.  
    
    Regards, Marcelle
                                                 
    
      

    "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends" (as seen on Shining Time Station).
    Nick is absolutely crazy about Thomas, and watches STS faithfully on
    Sunday mornings, just to see the trains (he could care less about
    Schemer, Stacy Jones, etc...) I just learned that the videos existed 
    thanks to a recent Spiegel catalog, and would like to pick one or two up
    locally as soon as possible. 
    
    Any leads as far north as Nashua, south to Boston, west to Marlboro, and
    east to Peabody would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
    
    Freddie

    Have you tried The Early Learning Centre?   I'm not sure of a location
    in your area; but I thought they were all over.   They have a large
    selection of Thomas the Tank Engine stuff, I believe including video
    tapes.
    
    Carol

    My son, Nick, who is three years old loves Thomas also.  Lechmere
    has several different tapes to choose from.  They usually go on
    sale every couple of months.

    The Early Learning Center at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua has them.
    

    Thanks for the quick responses. He was home sick yesterday (croup), 
    and had asked (in his pitifully sick voice) to see Thomas; it killed me 
    that I couldn't oblige him...I even took a ride to Lechmere's in Woburn
    but came up empty.
    
    I'm headed to ZKO early next week, and will check out Pheasant Lane
    Mall. Does anyone remember the cost? Speigel catalog had two of them 
    for $12.50/ea.
    
    Freddie
    

    Don't know how convienient this may be to you, but I did notice that
    BJ's wholesale club is gearing up bigtime for Christmas.  They seemed
    to have tons of kids' tapes. (Which also included Home Alone!)  I can't
    specifically say that they had it, but I will try and look there
    tonight on the way home, since I'll be food shopping right next door.
    
    By the Way, I heard on the radio the other day that Ringo will not be
    doing the program any more.  Unfortunately I can't remember the TWO new
    people who will.  Ringo is going off to do other child-related things.
    
    Lyn

    BJ's would be super, since we go there as guests with some friends who
    are members, and we're due for our monthly BJ's run soon....Any info
    would be greatly appreciated.
    
    As far as Ringo's replacement; I wasn't aware of two people taking
    over, but I had read that George Carlin was assuming the role.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Freddie

    I believe that 'all' the tapes at the Early Learning Center are in the
    $20.00 range.  You can call them at (603)891-1421.  It tends to be a
    kind of pricey store, so if you can find them anyplace else, they're
    much more likely to be cheaper.  There's also one of those huge video
    stores on Spitbrook Road, right by the Turkey Farm, that should have
    them.
    
    Patty

    I forgot to mention that the Strawberries Record Chain seems to be
    leaning quite heavily towards videos lately.  I walked by the one at
    BJ's plaza the other night and it looked to be almost half videos,
    not to mention the accesories like cables, carrying cases, storage
    racks etc.
    
    Could this be a place worth exploring?
    
    Lyn

    Re: Thomas & Friends
    
    Thanks again for the tips! I called the ELC in Nashua, and they
    confirmed that they had them. They even pointed me to store closer to
    home (Burlington Mall). I stopped by Friday on the way home, and picked
    up #1 in a series of 5 (so far). Nick was psyched to get it, and he's
    watched it *at least* 20 times since Friday.
    
    Now that I know where to fall back to, I can shop around for a lower
    price in time for Christmas (ELC was $12.99/ea). I hope to hit BJs and
    Lechmere's later this month (although Lechmere's in Woburn didn't have
    them when I checked last Thursday), and will check out Strawberries as
    well (since I want some new tapes, anyway.). I'll post my results here,
    in case anyone else wants to find them. 
    
    In the meantime, if anyone already knows where I can get them for less
    than $13, I'm all ears.
    
    Nick & I thank you again for the help.
    
    Freddie

    It may be worth checking rentals.  The library in Nashua loans videos
    for a week at a time, free.  Lots of video stores sell off used tapes.
    Blockbuster Video is the name of the store in Nashua that I was
    thinking would have them for less than ELC.
    
    Good Luck!

    In the coupon section of the Sunday Paper a couple of weeks ago, there
    was an ad for some video's called Character Builders.  They are a set
    of 8 video storybooks designed for kids 2-8, supposed to help develop
    positive character traits in children through fun stories and great
    songs.  Five grammy nominations in the Best Children's Recording
    category Anthony Paul  (the creator of MUSIC MACHINE and AMAZING
    CHILDREN) is the creator of these videos.
    
    Has anyone ever purchased one or more of these video's or anything else
    by Anthony Paul?  What is the quality like?
    
    Roberta 

    I saw the Lechmere flyer last night and they have the "Shinning Time
    Station videos on sale or $9.99.  
    
    I never would have noticed it if it hadn't been brought up here!!
    
    W-

    W-
    
    Thanks for the info. Time to get some Christmas shopping done.
    
    Freddie

Does anyone have the videotape "Babar Comes to America"?  I'd like to 
borrow it for a few days.  The tape we had recently bit the dust and my 20 
month old is in despair.

Please send mail to SONATA::POND.

Thanks,
Lois