Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that there is nothing to worry about in this album's content beyond the usual Disney tie-ins. Kids are even encouraged to work together.
Families can use this CD as a jumping-off point. Listen to some of the same music for its own sake, without the educational storytelling, and make up your own stories.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Research shows that preschoolers who are exposed to music have a leg up -– a young child's ability to perceive and distinguish phonetic sounds is enhanced by singing and engaging in rhythmic movement, and active music-making during the school years can strengthen abstract reasoning skills, paving the way to better results in school. Or so says the sincere liner-note copy inside LITTLE EINSTIENS MUSICAL MISSIONS, and we're convinced they have a point.
Including four interactive musical stories based on episodes from the show, the album provides music-theory vocabulary along with orchestral punctuation. "The Birthday Balloons" (with music from "Eine Kleine Nachtmusic"), "Rocket Safari" (with music from "Flight of the Bumblebee"), "Pirate's Treasure" (with music from "Carmen Suite #1"), and "The Golden Pyramid" (with music from "Hungarian Dance #5") are narrated by the Little Einstein TV characters. Well-intentioned as can be, the whole effort comes off as three parts wholesome fun mixed with one part condescension -- and a dash of trying too hard.
It's a good enough jumping-off point, but there's a squeaky quality to the narration that is likely to drive parents a little nuts. Why not provide the real thing, instead? Find some wonderful, accessible classical music without any chipmunky narration, and encourage your kids to make up their own stories. Or dig into the archives and play your old recording of "Peter and the Wolf" (it includes just as much classical music info along with a really well-told story) or "Bugs Bunny on Broadway."
Rate It!
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Social BehaviorWorking together is encouraged. |
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CommercialismThe usual Disney tie-ins. |
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