Sesame Street - Do the Alphabet Reviews

• One of the more painful Sesame Street DVDs...

  
  By A39UPRGT8Z0AIE on 2005-12-09
  We own this on DVD, purchased for a few bucks only--about all it is worth. We own most of the Sesame Street videos, including all the various "clips" collections like this one. I have to say "Do the Alphabet" is only one step above the dreadful "Elmocize." Okay, so I'm not the target audience--but my kids don't really care for it either!
  
  From the worst period in Sesame Street production (in my opinion)--the late 80s/early 90s-- this video features Baby Bear trying to learn the alphabet in one day, so he can one-up the annoying Goldilocks (I kind of miss her, actually--she was at least comical, whereas contemporary Zoe is just bratty in an unamusing way).
  
  Songs from Billy Joel and whatnot date this one--the best part is the "classic" Sesame clips, such as the Ernie/Cookie monster song about D (gotta love it!).
  
  The most amusement I get from this DVD is that it stands out as one of the few muppet-involved videos when you can actually SEE the PUPPETEER! Watch Prairie Dawn during the "You Can Say The Alphabet" song . . . the crate and the kids do not quite cover the puppeteer's hand and head. You can see them over and over--something very rare in Sesame Street videos!
  
  Bored parents can also watch for the rare sight of some of the Sesame kids arguing during a segment--watch Michael and the other boy when the kids are doing their letter "exercises"--too funny. Who was directing this? Had they stopped caring?
  
  My kids, now age 5 and 3, would rank this very low for entertainment value. WE only pull it out when we've "done" the other Sesame Street videos to death. If you're shopping for a Sesame Street fan, go for one of the anniversary celebrations or the good ol' "Best of" tapes like "Best of Elmo," "Cookie Monster's Best Bites" etc.
  
  I need to add here that I consider myself a big Sesame Street fan--I grew up with it, bought the "classic" tapes even before I had kids (does that make me a weirdo?), raised my kids on it. From babyhood, my kids knew their letters, numbers, shapes, colors, etc. very well, and Sesame Street had a big part in that. I love their work and love to see a well-produced, well-written Sesame tape. This just isn't one.
  
  

• My 15 month old loves this video!

  
  By on 2000-01-18
  This is a very educational video for toddlers. My 15 month old daughter has watched it over and over and loves to dance to it and I don't have to feel guilty because I know she's getting information along with the entertainment. It also encourages the kids to get up and move instead of just sitting there watching. In one segment the children are led through exercises where they try to form letters with their bodies. My only criticism is of baby bear and his baby talk. I think it sets a bad example. My friend's children never baby-talked until they started watching SS and heard baby bear do it and now they think it is cool to talk that way. Other than that, this is a great video and I like that the alphabet is sung and said repeatedly in different ways so that the child hears each letter distinctly and won't mistakenly believe that LMNO is one letter, as sometimes happens when the traditional ABC song is the only way they hear it.
  
  

• Parents and kids LOVE this video!

  
  By A3RX5RMRAJ8Z5B on 2005-07-16
  I'm a home daycare provider. I take care of kids from ages 6 weeks to 5 yrs. The toddler and preschoolers really love this video. I love that it goes the whole alphabet 5 times so kids learn the order of the alphabet.
  other great rescoures are:
  Leap Frog - Letter Factory (2003) Great Phonics Video
  Sesame Street - The Alphabet Jungle Game (1990)
  and book
  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Aladdin Picture Books) -- by Jr, Bill Martin
  
  
  

• there are better videos to teach the ABCs

  
  By A3P2AT37A8F9PO on 1999-12-23
  While this video does have catchy songs, i did not like it that much. So far my 3 year old daughter has not learned the alphabet from it, although she watches it very often. This video spends too much time explaining why the bear wants to learn the alphabet and not enough time actually learning the alphabet. The video is 30 minutes long and i guess they only spend 15 minutes actually learning the ABCs. Although I have to admit the children enjoy it very much, for the catchy songs and the familiar characters.

  I suggest Dr. Suess's ABCs. My 4 year old learned the whole alphabet from watching it just a few times. I also like that it mimics the book. My son is thrilled that he can read the Dr. Seuss's ABCs book.
  
  

• Baby Bear and Big Bird make a great team!

  
  By A3UQF96P71CMDX on 2000-09-12
  My daughter loves this video. She's been watching it for over a year now, and has known all of her letters since she was 15 months old. I never felt guilty for letting her watch her favorite bird teach Baby Bear about the alphabet since she made it clear she was learning right along with him, identifying some letters even before she could say them!!

  I don't agree with the comments about Baby Bear's speech impediment, since I think it's important for kids to see that not everyone learns to speak perfectly right off, nor does everyone sound the same at any age. I think it's great that the folks at CTW make a point of representing different folks in all aspects of their presentations, and hope my little girl grows up more tolerant of others because of what she sees in videos like this one.
  
  

• Baby Bear Bugs Me
  By A3UQ7QJSVK9WXT on 2004-07-25
  My 17-month-old likes this video and she's starting to point to letters when she sees them although she doesn't say the alphabet or anything yet. My big problem with this video as others have said is Baby Bear. I think it's irresponsible of Sesame Street to have a character that talks that way in a video for young children. Why not stick to the Grover types who overenunciate everything and are really easy to understand? I don't want my daughter to start trying to say her Rs like Baby Bear, and if it starts to be a problem at all, our copy of this video is going to go on eBay and be replaced by something else.
  
  Also, it does only highlight a few letters in the alphabet and I think it would be better if it were more evenly distributed. My daughter does like the boogie woogie piggy song though.
  
  
• Thumbs Down on Baby Bear
  By A15EBPF2TWBQ8V on 2004-10-12
  My daughter is just beginning to speak. This video highlights Baby Bear and his significant speech impediment. It's not cute, it's not child-like, it's incorrect pronunciation! I agree completely with the other reviewer who noted that it's irresponsible of CTW to have a character who speaks like Baby Bear. This is not a dig at people with speech impediments -- it's frustration at the choices Sesame Street has made -- to offer a "teaching" tool that teaches incorrect speech patterns. We won't play this video again at our house.
  
  
• more entertaining than educational
  By A219XWQG44H0GN on 2000-06-26
  This video spends little time actually teaching the alphabet. Much time is spent developing the "plot" of why the bear wants to learn the alphabet, but my 2year-old lost interest after 15 minutes. The bear has babyish speech mannerisms which I wouldn't want emulated. For a video that really maximizes exposure to the alphabet, I recommend Sesame Street's "The Alphabet Jungle Game".
  
  
• Buy this and have fun with your toddler!
  By A134FECAPC02C5 on 2000-07-25
  Forget what the others say about Baby Bear's lisp! Kids lovehim. He is the central character in a fun story about the alphabet.If you want your child to be watching an entertaining, giggly 1/2 hour of educational video, buy this one! He or she may not be saying the alphabet by the end of first viewing, but they will recognize it! I bought this when my twins were six months old. They are still spellbound by this video, dancing and laughing, and not by many others--even after twelve months of viewing pleasure. That's not bad for the life-span of a kid's video at this price.

  Thanks again to Sesame Street video.
  
  

• fun while learning the alphabet
  By on 1999-10-06
  My one and a half year old loves this tape and is actually learning the alphabet from it, even though she's only learning to talk now too. It holds her attention for the whole tape. The music in it is fine for adults too (for example, my husband doesn't mind watching this but can't deal with Barney tapes). I especially like the pigs who sing a lively alphabet song in boogie-woogie style. Of the four Sesame Street tapes we have, this is my daughter's favorite (and the best in my opinion too!)
  
  
• Troublesome Video from Sesame Street
  By on 2002-05-16
  If you've made it this far in the very long list of customer reviews, you're obviously a parent who wants to know everything you can about this product before purchasing it for your child. My advice is to heed the previous warnings about this video. In addition, before you buy "Do the Alphabet" ask yourself the following questions:
  
  Do I want my child to be given the unrealistic expectation from the video that he or she can learn the alphabet in one day?
  
  Do I want my child to watch a video that shows the Baby Bear character being put into a support group when he can't learn the alphabet within the first 20 minutes of the show?
  
  Do I want my child to watch a bear who declares at the beginning of the show that he has to make a change in his life because he is miserable?
  
  Do I want my child to learn the phrase "oh, man" due to the fact that it is uttered every minute or so by Baby Bear? Remember also that Baby Bear has a speech impediment which is something you may not want your kids to emulate if they are just learning how to string words together.
  
  My answer to all the above questions was an unequivocal "NO" and I immediately returned the DVD to the retailer.
  
  I'm a producer of children's television, therefore I speak with a modicum of authority on this subject. I also personally know the producers of "Sesame Street", and each and every one of them is extremely concerned with children's education and the best way to approach it via television. However, "Do the Alphabet" is a major -- yet very rare -- misstep for them. One of their major problems is that they test their shows after they're produced, not before. If the reviews above are any indication, the folks at Sesame Street made a huge mistake that could have been prevented had they done a little research in pre-production.
  
  
• Teaches Kids to Mispronounce Letter Sounds
  By A3K1WSZCD7NNIR on 2006-05-16
  Regardless of whether or not the video is annoying, the real problem is that the main character, Baby Bear, has a speech impediment and does not pronounce all of the letters correctly. For a video that is supposed to be teaching the alphabet and rudimentary phonics, this is a major problem. We watched it once and then promptly put it in the garbage. Sesame Street should be ashamed of itself.
  
  
• Fun video to watch for Mom and Child
  By on 2000-03-19
  This really is a good video. I was worried that Baby Bears "Baby" voice would make this video a bad learning tool. He does have a baby voice but he says the alphabet quite clear. The songs are very upbeat and catchy. I watch the video with my 19 months old daughter and she loves it!
  
  
• Great Video!! You won't be disappointed!
  By A2UP0EXL67XMVC on 2000-11-19
  I'm here to buy my second "Do the Alphabet" video. I've had the first one for approximately 5 years and it went through my first three children watching it over and over and over again! I had my fourth child in June and started playing it for her around 2 or 3 months... to my surprise she actually watched the entire movie! I play it for her so much that it is starting to drag and wear out... so I'm buying her a brand new one! She's 5.5 months now and rocks back and forth and tries to sing along with it!
  
  
• Minding your Rs.
  By A3KN5RUH2LJVFD on 2004-01-14
  Our son has been singing the alphabets since he was 18 months, but we wanted him to become familiar with associating the names of the letters with what they look like. I loved Sesame Street as a child, so we hoped this video would be a good introduction. For his short attention span this movie does a good job at keeping him interested. We like the short skits about some of the letters--they're pretty creative and catchy. However, we were really annoyed that baby bear couldn't say his "R"s. Especially when our son, who is 3 1/2 with excellent vocabulary and word pronunciation, started saying words without the Rs after seeing the video for the first time. After some explaining he started saying his Rs again, but he still 'slips' into baby bear talk now and again. I'm disappointed that a movie that is supposed to be focussing on the alphabet can't even teach the correct pronunciation of a letter that so many children have a difficult time pronouncing anyway. I feel it's poor planning that the main character is not able to say his Rs--repeatedly and annoyingly. Although I give it an A for having creative ways of teaching/introducing letters and being able to keep a 3-year-old's attention, I give it a D for teaching incorrect letter pronunciation and the failure to accurately present what the movie is all about.
  
  
• Not the best
  By A1JNY2RGYC7ALJ on 2004-05-17
  I had bought "Learning About Letters" when my oldest son was about 2, which is excellent and will be out on DVD soon. This DVD is not nearly as good - not as much to help learn. The storyline is weak, and there is nbot much emphasis on the letters themselves. Most of it is about Baby Bear's frustration in trying to say the alphabet. My 2 younger boys (4 and 2) have not been very interested in this one.

  Get "Learning About Letters" instead, which does the entire alphabet several times and highlights letters instead of Baby Bear trying to say the alphabet.
  
  

• Buy Richard Scarry ABC instead
  By A27SKRBQ1810CD on 2004-06-24
  The problems with this DVD are that it doesn't effectively teach the alphabet and it is pretty annoying. A fair chunk of it is Baby Bear complaining with a whiny lisp, and Big Bird patronising him. Big Bird even runs an "alphabet support group" (like psychotherapy) which I think is a really unsuitable concept for young children. But worse than that, the letters are not taught in a systematic, complete way - only selected letters are featured prominently.
  For an alphabet DVD I would recommend Richard Scarry ABC or Learning Songs instead of this one.
  
  
• Speech impediment of main character is an issue
  By AKC6VWPSO3BWR on 2006-07-19
  OK, on the good side, this video contains all the favorite Sesame Street characters; is fairly long; has puppets, cartoons, animals, music, and some celebrity cameos; and most importantly, teaches kids the alphabet in a fun way. My 4 children have enjoyed it. However, one big issue with this video is the speech of the main character, Baby Bear. Sesame Street has always used the most ordinary looking children (not model-types) and has made its muppets with varying character traits, apparently, in an effort to show children that people come in all shapes and sizes - very "PC" and this was true even in the 70's before being "PC" was even defined as such. Having an instructional video with a speech-impaired puppet, though, is problematic. Forget trying to show kids that "Oh, some children speak like that and so that's part of the real world and it's OK". No. This is an educational video and I'm surprised and annoyed that this bear seems to say every possible word there is with a mispronouned "R", or as he says "aww" (rhymes with raw-ooo). So everytime this video is watched, my 2 year old thinks that it's correct to say "Beawwww" instead of Bear, "lettewwws" instead of letters, "twide" insted of tried, etc. Besides the educational shortcomings, the Awwwws begin to seriously grate on my nerves. If you can live with the fact that a main character in serious need of speech therapy is teaching your kids how to speak, then you may find this video enjoyable.
  
  
• NOT a good choice
  By A1BM6294RCVOZB on 2006-09-07
  For a video that is intended to be educational for very young children, this is the worst! My primary complaint is the serious speech impediment of the main character, Baby Bear. How does this help children learn to speak properly?? In addition, his attitude is terrible. Finally, some of the animation (the letter "F" faces) is scary for young children. My daughter (who is about to turn 2) has several of the Sesame Street videos and this is the only one that I absolutely would NOT recommend.
  
  
• Great Educational Tool
  By A23KC03BKENZ71 on 2000-03-02
  My son has loved this video since he was 12 months. He is now 16 month and dances to the songs and trys to say letters. It is a great way to re-enforce the way you teach the alphabet.

  AND IT'S FUN!
  
  

• My child is learning the alphabet
  By ABF3WTS0GFJV2 on 2000-11-26
  Besides Baby Bears talk, I think my 15 month old enjoys the video very much. I don't really think that Baby Bear's speech would have any affect on another child's speech. I think its very educational and easy to learn from. My daughter seems to get upset when Baby Bear tries to remember the alphabet and forgets; it's like she is trying to help him out. Overall I think it's a great video.
  
  
• My son loves this video!!!!
  By A2DJAVPGWO078N on 2000-10-11
  I bought this tape for my son a few weeks ago, and he has watched it 3-4 times every day since I bought it for him. He loves the music and all the dancing. He has learned to say half of the alphabet from just watching the video. I also see no problem with the way Baby Bear talks. I know a little girl who talks like that and she gets picked on all the time. This will show her that there are a other people out there who sometimes talk alittle different.
  
  
• Buy this one
  By A31CLT3Q3M6CZE on 2003-09-03
  If you are going to buy one DVD for your child to teach him the ABC's... buy this one! My two year-old loves this DVD and I have to admit, I enjoy it too. He can barely talk but knows most of the letters of the alphabet. He sings along and recognizes most of the letters and can sing most of the alphabet song. I work with him, of course, but he's gotten a lot from this video. I highly recommend to any parent of toddler or pre-schooler. It is one you will watch over and over with your child and be amazed at the results. The songs are fun. You hear the letters of the alphabet over and over but in different ways. Really great.
  
  
• I'd vote for it twice!!!!!
  By AOA7DLVR783CM on 2005-03-04
  I would give this video 10 stars if I could-it is the most wonderful of all the S.S videos I have bought(and I have about 20) The characters are incredibly adorable, and make the process of learning the alphabet fun, not just a task for kids.
  
  Unlike a few of the other reviewers who think Baby Bear and his "lisp" should not have been the focus, are being ridiculous-there are alot of kids out there with speach impediments who talk just like Baby Bear or even worse-I know of 3 in my daughters Pre-k class. Sesame Street shows kids in wheelchairs and kids with Down Syndrome on the show, I guess they should not be on the show either????
  So, I think he is a welcome addition to the video. Check your attitudes at the remote before playing the video for your kids if you feel that way-it may be annoying to adults-but it is what the kids can relate to and understand that matters.
  
  
• A humble suggestion...
  By A3CN9CCJUNIPKT on 2005-09-26
  I wish CTV would consider reissuing "Sesame Street" as a chronological series, starting with "Season One," and working their way to the present... I would love to see the old episodes as they were originally broadcast, not with a few select bits chopped up into the new, modern mix. The old shows were so wonderful... plus that awful, whiny Elmo was nowhere to be seen! Anyway, that's my wish as a Sesame Street kid who now has a kid of my own...
  
  PS - yay, Sesame Street!
  
  
• My 23 month old can say the alphabet!
  By on 2000-07-08
  I agree with some of the other reviews that Baby Bear's baby talk is not great, but the video provides many other speakers to emulate, such as big bird and the children. And my daughter LOVES it -- she asks me for "abcs!" every day, and she dances and sings while watching the video. Repetition is key in learning, so the fact that she wants to watch this over and over is great. And the songs are catchy, not annoying! (especially the boogy woogy sheep!). Love it.
  
  
• A true Sesame Street fan
  By on 2001-07-15
  I bought this video for my 17 month old son who loves Sesame Street. He found it to be Dee, Dee, Dee, Delightful (one of many great songs on it). It starts with Baby Bear looking for the great alphabet teacher...Big Bird. Baby Bear wants to say the alphabet, but when he has trouble Goldilocks rushes in a finishes before he has a chance. With songs and skits (old and new) Big Bird is able to help Baby Bear reach his goal. I was torn between this video and Sesame Street Learn With Letters. I am (and especially my son) happy with this purchase.
  
  
• A cute look at the alphabet
  By A3QMA1U2R6WUEB on 2002-02-18
  My daughter, the Sesame Street fanatic, has begun singing her abc's because of this video. She's 21 months old. Big Bird and Baby Bear work on learning the abc's. Baby Bear wants to learn them because Goldilocks gets on his nerves, butting-in and finishing them for him when he gets stuck. When Goldilocks pops in, it's pretty funny. Not a good video if your child only craves Elmo though. He does NOT appear in this video. For everyone else, this is a cute way to learn the abc's and have fun with them at the same time.
  
  
• I would give this DVD more than 5 stars if I could
  By A30W8JYYURDR27 on 2004-12-19
  This dvd is both educational and fun. Whenever Billy Joel or Bear gets something right, my 16 month old daughter applauds and says YAY to encourage them. It teaches them the letters and words that start with the letter, while at the same time being very cute and fun to watch. This one of her only dvds that she watches over and over again and keeps her attention. I encourage every parent to get this one for their child. It is a keeper. It is also fun for the parents to watch over and over again as well.
  
  
• Not bad, could be better
  By A17EIT9K2M0N0P on 2005-09-21
  I bought this for my 21 month old and she finds it very entertaining, but it's not one of her most requested favorites. We prefer the Brainy Baby ABC's as she has learned her whole alphabet and phonics from it by the time she was 18 months old.
  
  

• Sesame Street - 123 Count With Me
• Sesame Street - The Best of Elmo
• Sesame Street - Kids' Favorite Songs
• Sesame Street - Learning About Letters
• Sesame Street - Learning About Numbers