Top CDs and DVDs for toddlers
Most children love to watch television, but it's important not to let your child watch too much; you should avoid the temptation to use the TV as a fall back. Read our feature on Children and television to learn more.
Indeed, it’s best to reserve film-watching as a treat – after all, this will make the occasion all the more special for your child. Here is gurgle’s pick of the best DVDs for young children (and maybe even for you…!):
Top DVDS:
1) Dumbo – this old classic is sure to appeal to your little one. It tells the tale of a little elephant picked on because of his over-sized ears. Utterly adorable, but have a box of tissues at the ready!
2) The Jungle Book – filled with catchy numbers such as ‘The Bare Necessities’ and ‘I wanna be like you’, this is one the whole family will love. Mowgli is a little boy raised by wolves who befriends a loveable bear called Baloo and panther called Bagheera, but danger rears its head in the form of Shere Khan the tiger. Not one to be missed!
3) Both Madagascar and Madagascar 2 are also great for both young children and adults. The films tell the tale of four friends, Alex the Lion, Gloria the hippo, Melman the giraffe and Marty the zebra and their adventures in, yes, you’ve guessed it – Madagascar! In the first installment, the four animals escape from the zoo and accidentally find themselves shipped off to Madagascar. In Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa, the four friends hatch a plan to get back to New York. Their plane only takes them as far as Africa, however, where Alex, Melman and Marty meet animals of their own species. Gloria even finds herself a hunky hippo (who isn’t all he’s cracked up to be). Also filled with catchy songs (look out for ‘I like to move it, move it’ and ‘Big and chunky’), Dreamworks have got it spot on with both films, which have it all – humour, adventure and a message about the importance of friendship.
4) No doubt, you’ll all have heard of Shrek – if not, you’re in for a treat! The film tells the tale of a friendly green ogre called Shrek, who falls in love with a beautiful princess, Fiona, who is hiding a deep, dark secret. Filled with classic fairy tale creatures and a charismatic talking donkey, Shrek appeals to both young and old - some of the double-entendres will (hopefully) go over your child’s head but have you in stitches. Don’t forget to look out for Shrek 2 and Shrek 3; impressive sequels.
5) Tim Burton’s recent adaptation of ‘Willy Wonka’ is probably a bit dark and frightening for littlies, but the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will be a firm family favourite. It tells the tale of little Charlie Bucket, who lives in poverty with his parents and ancient grandparents in a ramshackle old house. His luck changes, however, when he finds a Golden Ticket, which allows him a visit to Willy Wonka’s famous Chocolate Factory! Charlie is not the only winner, however; he must tour the factory with the greedy Augustus Gloop, the spoilt Veruca Salt, the gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde and the TV addict Mike Teavee. Who will triumph at the end and will the ultimate prize? You’ll have to watch it and see...
Others to look out for: Bambi, The Lion King, The Muppets Movie, Robin Hood, Toy Story…We could go on and on!
Top CDs
We've also included our round-up of the best CDs for toddlers, as they are a great way to entertain your child and are particularly handy on long car journeys! Here’s our cream of the crop:
1) Baby Einstein CDs: these help your child to learn about the world around them through a combination of music, art, nature and words. You can find Baby Einstein products in Mothercare or online at Amazon.
2) Nursery Rhyme CDs; everyone loves a good nursery rhyme and getting a sing-along going is a great way to pass the time on a trip to Granny and Grandpa’s. You’ll be able to find a cd filled with all the classics in most toy stores, such as ELC or Toys R Us.
3) Everyone loves a Disney soundtrack and they’re not hard to come by. See if you can find one with all the classics, such as ‘A Whole New World’, ‘Bare Necessities’ and ‘Hakuna Matata’.
4) Who doesn't love Winnie-the-Pooh? The tales of the lovable bear of little brain, Pooh Bear, are sure to please your little one. Try this one out for size: 'Winnie-the-Pooh: the Collection' by A.A. Milne, read by Alan Bennet.
5) Find a CD filled with top party songs to get your child jumping up and down (and get rid of some bad energy in the process!) Why not try Jump up and Boogie from ELC, filled with all those party favourites?
If your favourites aren't in the list above, why not share them with other gurglers in the Toddler area of the chat forum? Or you could create your own 'Best films and music for toddlers' group.
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Last Modified: 21/04/2009