- Letters are displayed clearly and are easy to see.
- Letter names are spoken clearly .
- Several examples of words beginning with each letter are shown.
- Games at the end of the alphabet presentation help kids learn more about the letters.
- The DVD contains a demonstration of how to write each letter of the alphabet.
- The animation looks very computerized.
- The music sounds very computerized.
- The songs for each letter all sound similar and begin to run together.
- Colorful animated DVD teaches kids about the alphabet using upbeat music and pictures of letters and words.
- A man dressed in a tux sings about each letter of the alphabet and presents alphabet games.
- After presenting letters and games, the DVD features a demonstration of how to write each letter.
Colorful animation and music make a great combination for teaching kids about all kinds of concepts. Rock 'N Learn: Alphabet employs both of these tools, and also has a man dressed in a tux and top hat who sings about each letter of the alphabet. In this way, the DVD is effective at presenting the letters of the alphabet, but the computerized songs and animation get a little grating after a while. The songs about each letter begin to sound the same, and kids may have trouble paying attention throughout the entire alphabet.
The DVD does contain several solid educational elements, though. In addition to using the songs and animation to teach kids the letters of the alphabet, the DVD also shows words that begin with each letter and pictures of the corresponding objects. The pictures are shown along with a large example of the letter, both upper and lower case, which helps kids make the association that letters make up words. Repetition and word association are both key elements in helping children with early literacy skills, and the spoken/written segment at the end of the DVD adds another important element to learning about letters.
For kids who do not like to sit through the whole DVD, learning may be more effective if they watch the DVD in segments. An actual clip from the DVD can be seen on the Rock 'N Learn website, so parents preview the DVD before buying.
