Start to Finish DVD Review and Giveaway!!

My kids LOVE the DVD Start to Finish. It reminds me of the show "How it's made," but it's for kids. It is educational, entertaining, and interactive. My children (Sissy, 4yrs and Bubby, 20mos) have watched it several times. They really enjoy Whoops and think he is hilarious.

My husband and I are both teachers and we are always on the lookout for educational products for our children. We love this DVD. It's very educational. There are lots of facts shared throughout the movies. I enjoyed watching it for myself and learned a bit too.

There are four start to finish stories:

Where does milk come from?

They show us the process of milking cows to putting it into the stores to buy. I love how there are little tidbits and facts shared throughout each segment.  Simple facts such as how cows have eyes on the side of their head, so they can see almost all the way around.  Their skin jerks and moves to keep the flies off of them.  It only takes about 2 days for milk to get from the cow to the store.  My son loves the cows and Moo's every time.  A couple days after watching the DVD, I asked Sissy what she wanted to drink and she said, “I want milk.  It makes me healthy and makes my bones strong.” 

Apples to Applesauce

My kids loved watching how to make applesauce.  It was interesting to watch how the machines work to make the applesauce.  Sissy especially loved how the machine flips half of the applesauce containers upside down for the packaging.  At the end of this segment, Whoops begins making patterns with the red and green apples and asks the audience for help with completing the pattern.  The part I loved was that they taught manners.  We’ve been working with Sissy to say ‘excuse me’ when adults are talking rather than interrupting like she usually does.  I loved hearing Whoops and Bubbs discussing this very topic.

Making Pizza

A few weeks ago we went to a little pizza place and we got to see them making pizza dough.  My daughter asked questions about the huge mixer that makes the dough and interacted with the DVD by answering each question they asked.  I love that it isn’t something the children just sit and watch.  They didn’t show just how to make pizza, but discussed shapes.  They cut the dough into different shapes and ask what they are (ie traditional circle, square, triangle, and heart). 

 A day in the life of a Firefighter

What kid doesn’t like firefighters and fire trucks?  The most notable part for me was when they showed the SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), explained what it was for, and reminded the children not to be scared of it if they see a fireman wearing one.  We had our local fire department at our school for The Great American Teach-in and one of the big worries for firefighters is that children in need of help will run and hide because they are afraid of the mask.  They are pretty scary looking so it’s important for children to know that even though it looks scary it’s just to help the firefighters and not to be scared.  They also show how the firefighters do chores and asks what chores they do at home to help out.  My daughter cleaned her room the other day without being asked.  I wonder if there’s any correlation.  ;) 

I try to monitor and limit my children’s television viewing.  I prefer that they watch educational shows.  This is one DVD that I feel 100% comfortable with them watching.  It’s interactive and asks lots of questions throughout the movie and gives an appropriate time for a response.  Whoops and Bubbs provide entertainment throughout to keep children’s attention.  My children our 4 and 20 months, but I teach children ages 5-12 and I feel even the older children would enjoy the DVD.

I plan on using this DVD at school.  With all the budget cuts in the school system our County is cutting back on field trips for our students.  Although this DVD doesn’t replace the same experience of going on a true Field Trip, it does provide a virtual Field Trip for Students.  I’m sure I can relate it to Music by finding songs that would go with each segment.  It would also make a great substitute lesson plan for days that I’m out and don’t have a Music sub.  I wouldn’t have to worry that the students were disruptive because of lack of interest.

Check out their Website!  If you would like to buy this DVD it is $12.99 at Amazon.  Rent it for 7 days on Amazon Instant Video for only $1.99 (SO worth it, but your child will probably want to see it again after the 7 days) or buy it from Amazon Instant Video for $7.99

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All opinions are my own. Sissy's opinions and comments are all her own as well. :)