From Baby Nick Jr. (Nickelodeon, that is) comes these three thirty-minute programs geared toward enhancing the development of babies. Each disc is aimed at a specific age group, and the content has been—apparently—painstakingly manufactured to squeeze as much growth experience out of the half-hour run time. Each feature is hosted by the Curious Buddies, a group of animal puppets with names like Cat and Bear and Elephant and Dog. Why these simple-looking puppets? Because research has shown that babies response best to puppetry. In fact, every segment seems to have exhaustive research to back it up; this ain’t just useless time-wasting, this is going to get your rugrat’s learning groove on.

Nick Jr Baby Curious Buddies: Let’s Go to the Farm:
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Nick-Jr-Lets-Farm/dp/B0007NFLRC

Designed for babies ages 3-18 months, in CURIOUS BUDDIES: LET’S GO TO THE FARM there’s so much for babies to see, hear, and feel at the farm! Take a hay ride, tend the animals, pick crops, milk the cows, discover different farm animals, examine sizes, textures, and colors, and dance, clap, play, learn, and laugh along with the Curious Buddies.

Nick Jr Baby Curious Buddies: Exploring At The Beach:
http://www.amazon.com/Nick-Jr-Baby-Curious-Buddies/dp/B0002ERWU0

Surf’s up as the Curious Buddies head to the beach for seaside exploration and discovery in this 30-minute Nick Jr. program combining live action footage, animated games, and kid-friendly music. From swimming and sandcastles to sailboats and surfboards, the sea is an engaging setting for toddlers to learn about the natural world around them. In one scene, kids collect seashells in sand buckets before an on-screen game invites viewers to sort ocean objects into similar groups. In another sequence, schools of tropical fish swim in tidepools, followed by footage of squealing children jumping in waves. An upbeat dance with the Curious Buddies teaches the meaning of “stop” and “go”; later, youngsters are challenged with simple games to develop reasoning skills of comparison, counting, and sequencing. As the sun sets over the sea, viewers will hear one last song about beach walks while watching parents and children stroll the shore and savor some tender memories. (Ages 18 months to 4 years) –Lynn Gibson

Nick Jr Baby Curious Buddies: Let’s Move:
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Nick-Jr-Curious-Buddies/dp/B0007NFLS6

“Let’s Move” (12-36 mos.): There’s so much for babies to see and hear, during movement and dancing! Boogie to the beat, play games, discover different kinds of music, jump up and down, dance, clap, play, learn, and laugh along with Nick Jr. Baby’s Curious Buddies!

Nick Jr Baby Curious Buddies: Helping at Home:
http://www.amazon.com/Nick-Jr-Baby-Curious-Buddies/dp/B0002ERWUA

When children help around the house, it fosters confidence, resourcefulness, and independence–the theme of this 30-minute Nick Jr. Baby program. Music and narration accompany live-action footage of youngsters engaged in worthy tasks, while a handful of pastel-colored animal puppets cheer them on. Short vignettes, appropriate for the brief attention span of wee ones, depict familiar home responsibilities. In one, a girl puts away her toys; in another, a boy washes fruit for a salad. Kids wash the car, sweep the floor, bring in the newspaper, and set the table–visibly satisfied with their accomplishments. Rather than providing instructional detail on various chores, the film’s goal is to empower kids to try their hand around the house, and remind parents to let them do so. Animated games enhance a child’s skills in matching, sorting, and sequencing; and the curious buddies–an elephant, cat, and so forth–will keep everyone giggling. (Ages 2 to 4) –Lynn Gibson

Related posts

• National Geographic - Waking the Baby Mammoth (2009)
• Laugh and Learn about Newborn Baby Care
• ERGO Baby Carrier Instruction DVD
• Calm Baby
• Brainy Baby 12DVD