5 a w/e f | ian — PET AS Cai 2s Entertainment And Education: DVDs Help Kids Learn And Grow ASsThey Play (NAPSA)—For a generation, DVDsand videotapes have been a convenient go-to for busy parents, a kind of “electronic baby-sitter” classes, each DVD provides suggestions for parents for ways to play with their kids after the tape is finished. educates youngsters for a determined interval. Providing parents of youngchildren with precious minutes to makedinner, return phonecalls or give the kids downtime, taped entertainment allows their little ones to enjoy visual and aural information. Even parents who don’t allow their toddlers to watch broadcast or cable television have used video from trusted sources for much-needed breaksin the day. Many entertainment companies have tried their hands at educating while they entertain, even though they don’t have education or pedagogical experts on staff. Conversely, education companies have tried to make their lesson-oriented videos moreentertaining. A few have been successful at “edutainment”—video-based nent of every Gymboree class, as it facilitates interaction and stimulates growth. Both DVDs include Music is an important compo- that entertains, amuses and even entertainment that is meant to educate. Movement-based and book-based videos that tell a story fall into this category. Another attribute DVDs provide is repetition. Kids love, and learn from, repetition. Many parents wish for a new DVD or a new storybook as a change of pace, but the little ones always want the tried and true. original songs, and some are sung to familiar tunes that were written to be sung—and played— along with for years to come. The music is engaging to parents and kids alike, and sung by host singer-songwriter Suzi Shelton. A new series of DVDs helps entertain, amuse and educate young children through music and movement. Music And Movement Now there are two new offer- ings that are meant to entertain while they help kids learn and grow as they sing andplay. Available from Gymboree Play & Music, a trusted name in developmentally based play for nearly 30 years, the two DVDsprovide a similar experience parents and children would have if they attended a Gymboree Play & Musicclass. The songs and coinciding movements and activities are developmentally appropriate and safe—so muchso that kids can do them at home without parental supervision, giving Mom and Dad a little time off. And, just like the Parents will enjoy singing along (perhaps in the background) as the little ones watch over and over. Entitled “The Very Brave Elephant and His Friends” and “Let’s Get Moving! Trains, Cars & Planes,” each follows a storyline. One introduces kids to new animals andlets them use their imagination to become those animals; the other lets viewers playact different modesof transportation. Kids learn and grow by watching other kids and modeling their actions. Geared to kids ages 2 to 5, these DVDs provide plenty for kids to imitate and tell the stories with over and over again. They’re available exclusively at Gymboree Play & Music, Gymboree retail stores and at Gymboree.com. To find a location near you, visit gymboreeclasses.com.
