Rating: 
Summary: Young kids love it!
Review: As an infant, my son sat enthralled by Baby Mozart and Baby Bach, and his mother and I used to sit with him and talk to him about each image on the screen. One of the first things he learned to say was "BABY!" to request that we play the DVD for him (the DVD has the added benefit over the VHS of a REPEAT PLAY option, in addition to some extra features described below).
As a 2 1/2 year old, he still enjoys watching it occasionally and has started to enjoy watching some of the other features, like the vocabulary section, which has a "flash card" style presentation of simple images like "dog" and "truck" along with written and spoken words in several languages, including English, Hebrew, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Italian, etc.
Researchers are starting to say that they no longer believe there are any long-term intellectual benefits to exposing children to classical music, but that doesn't really depreciate this video's usefulness as an interactive entertainment tool for very young viewers.Update: it's been two years since I wrote this review, and I just thought I'd add that my son -- now 4 -- still sometimes takes a break from Spiderman, Harry Potter and Toy Story to watch Baby Mozart. And the other day in the car, I put in a classical CD and he said, "I know this song! It's from my Baby DVD! I love this song!" So the music does have an impact!
Rating: 
Summary: Formulaic, but effective as entertainment
Review: I purchased this video after my daughter (now 14 months) received the Baby Bach video as a gift when she was 10 months old. It is very similiar to the Baby Bach video in having a somewhat amateur feel to the production, although we are spared the use of live action children in this video. Using the tried and true formula they developed, the Baby Einstein Company uses toys, puppets and videos of things like candles, as well as still images of things like food to visually stimulate children while listening to "baby friendly" classical music. It's entertaining, but I'm not sure it teaches much except how to watch television. For example there are segments devoted to some swirling beads and other items in liquid that I am at a loss to explain except in terms of interesting color combinations. This and some of the other objects shown are in the category I would describe as 'executive desk toys' and the repetitive motion at first will get my daughter's interest, but she soon settles into a blank stare. I watch the video with my daughter and I label the things she sees to the best of my ability. I point out colors, shapes, movement etc. but she is more subdued during this video than for example, Baby Shakespeare. The video is for children from ages 1 to 36 months. I think this age range is too broad. There are some loud noises in this video, which I understand are to bring your child's attention back to the TV. However, if your young baby is easily startled, they could be frightening. Further, because of the repetitive aspect of the images, I'm not sure this video has staying power for older children. For the present, my daughter will sit through this video with me. Is she learning anything? I don't know. Is she entertained? Yes.
Rating:
Summary: Baby Mozart DVD
Review: Great DVD...my son has enjoyed it since he was 3 months old--he is 16 months now. His appreciation has changed as he ages---where as before he enjoyed just the music, he now enjoys the images. He is now predicting what comes next..Great DVD>
Rating: 
Summary: Is there less than one star?
Review: So many parents have raved to me about these DVDs! They say you have to try it! So I bought Baby Mozart, but my twin girls absolutely hate it! I tried it around 3 months the first time and then maybe 5 months, & 8 mo, at 10 months it's a coaster. They still hate it. It IS really boring. It's pretty bad when you can bore a 3 mo old! It's basically different toys moving around, stuffed animals, and what looks to me like those executive desk toys going back and forth. Super boring, and pretty short. I expected much more from all the rave reviews... and so did my twins! I wish I never bought it. 3 thumbs down over here!!
Rating:
Summary: Engages infants!
Review: As one who strongly supports reading to children, I was a "little" anti-TV for my youngster, until watching "Baby Van Gogh," which is another video produced by the same company. "Baby Mozart," instantly engages infants, and babies with real world objects, while stimulating auditory senses with classically arranged musical pieces. My son was immediately mesmerized from the first viewing, two-months old, and remains fascinated to this day, now fifteen months old. I heard about Baby Einstein products from friends, but did not become interested until I learned of the company's dedication to providing financial support to MANY children's charities such as the Autism Society of America, Ronald McDonald House, The Eden Institute, a leading school for educating autistic children, and a host of other organizations committed to children with special needs. I now own several Baby Einstein videos and most of the companion books - they are excellent educational tools. Additional recommendations - "Baby Shakespeare," "Baby Van Gogh," "Baby Dolittle Neighborhood Animals," also, Richard Scarry's "BEST" videos are excellent for children 1 year and up.
Rating:
Summary: BABY MOZART is the one to buy
Review: Friends gave us the BABY MOZART video (made 1998) as a gift for our infant when he was 4 months old. He loved it then and he loves it now. It completely holds his attention for the 28 minutes or so it runs. Our little guy has watched it dozens of times over the last two months. It takes Mozart's music and presents it in very child-friendly renditions with simple visuals of toys and puppets. The pacing and length are exactly right. We have played BABY MOZART about 3 times a week for the last 2 months and our little guy enjoys it every time. He smiles and giggles at his favorite parts. Believe it or not, the only time he loses interest is when the credits and ads come on at the end ! We can almost guarantee ourselves almost a half hour of getting chores done around the house as the program runs. (Buy it on DVD because you will eventually wear out the tape.)
Based on the Mozart program, we soon bought BABY BACH (made 2000) and BABY BEETHOVEN (made 2002) on DVD. Save your money. BABY BACH is a total bust. He lasts about 7 minutes at best. He never liked it. I don't like it. Stupid still shots of toy instruments just sitting there and gratuitous shots of kids lend nothing. BABY BEETHOVEN is a fair program and our little guy will sometimes sit through about 15 minutes of it but it pales in comparison to BABY MOZART. The Beethoven video includes even more pointless shots of children and lots of [pricey] toys and mobiles which it promotes at the end. The music on BEETHOVEN and BACH is certainly as good as the Mozart video but for our baby and for us, the overall presentations just don't cut it. BABY MOZART however is a wonderful program and should be in almost every child's video library. With Mozart, they did catch magic in a bottle. Too bad they weren't able to repeat it with the later efforts.
Rating:
Summary: All right
Review: I waited forever to get this DVD from my Amazon seller, but was a little disappointed when it arrived. Definetly not as well done as the later titles, but it works when my son is tired of Baby Beethoven!
Rating:
Summary: Essential learning tool
Review: My son, who is now 5, started listening to Baby Bach & Mozart as a baby. He then listened to the other Einstein series. Today, he can differentiate Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Vivaldi when he hears them randomly -- e.g. at store that's playing a CD. I attribute this to the Baby Einstein series. It's a must for music appreciation.
Rating:
Summary: perfect
Review: My baby was only 2 1/2 months old, when i first bought it and he loves it, now 3 month old loves to watch it every day and jump to the music. loves the puppet show too.
Rating:
Summary: My baby loves this video
Review: My 5 month old loves this video. He will watch it all the way through and sometimes twice. He's been watching it since he was 3 months old and still loves it. It is so nice to be able to get things done and know that he is being entertained. Every parent should have this video.
|
