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BabyScapes: Celebration of Color (NR, 1997)

common sense media says

A colorful learning tool for toddlers.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Common Sense Media doesn't recommend movies or television for children under 2, and neither does the American Academy of Pediatricians. While this program is pleasant and nicely presented, this title is definitely meant to appeal to babies under the 24-month mark.'Parents who do decide to show this to their youngest will note that babies love the bright colors, in this multi-hued feast. Brilliant colors ooze and pop across the screen, accompanied by one of the best classical music soundtracks for babies. Research suggests that classical music stimulates spatial understanding, a must for math and science. Classical music seems also to promote emotional health. But maybe you should just stick with CDs for now. Toddlers will come away with something concrete: color names and rules for color mixing.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on BabyScapes: Celebration of Color

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the vibrant colors in this program, and search inside and outdoors for items of the same colors. Families can also talk about the different pieces of music in the program, and the different emotions the music evoked. Did parts of the music sound happy? Sad? Did it make you want to dance, or sit down and have a quiet moment?

What's the story?

What's the story?
BABYSCAPES: CELEBRATION OF COLOR begins with a fireworks display choreographed to Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto #3." Six scenes follow. In each scene, computer-animated shapes of a single color (blue, red, yellow, green, purple, or orange) move across the screen. Some of the scenes are abstract; some contain the shapes of plants and animals. For example, the blue scene begins abstractly, as three-dimensional shapes fall out of the sky. The shapes change into animals: first birds flying in V-formation, then fish swimming in a school. The transformation delights the eye and makes a clever point about spatial relations. The soundtrack contains works by Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Bach, and Boccherini.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
BabyScapes recommends Celebration of Color for children eight months and older, but babies will likely enjoy this colorful video even earlier than that. Infants can see color six weeks from birth and prefer it to blacks, whites, and dull tones. The strength of this video is the computer animation. Except for the yellow scene, when the color is ugly and the scene weird, the images are enthralling and colors rich and vibrant. The blue and green scenes are the best. The beautiful, varied music guarantees the video's appeal.

Unlike its predecessor, Baby's Smart Start, Celebration of Color will work for toddlers, too. No toddler will sit and watch the entire video, but the color explosions will grab children's attention. Parents can use these moments to name the colors. They can also direct their child's attention to the beginning of the last three scenes, when green, purple, and orange are made from blue, red, and yellow.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 30 minutes
Theatrical release: January 1, 1997
DVD release: July 14, 1998
MPAA Rating: NR
MPAA explanation: not rated
This review was written by Caroline Sabin
 
 

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kid, 12 years old
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haddad fan
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we do recommend tv for kids under 2, why you recommend it for kids over 2 instead?
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twilightfan123
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Robin316
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This is one of the best videos for kids. We played this from the very beginning and my nieces loved it. They become familiar with the colors as well as classical music. Wonderful for any ages! I have been an educator for for than 15 years and would recommend this to any parent.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
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