Not sure how conventional it is for a DVD's creator to write a review, but here goes!
I first had the idea to make this film when my daughter Charlie was about 9 months old. I had noticed how much she loved looking at other babies – pointing them out endlessly in the street and on TV adverts. I wondered why no one had ever made a program purely of babies for babies? (Note to self – cause nothing is that easy!)
I have since discovered that it is a natural part of every baby’s development at around 9 months old, to start to discover the world outside themselves, often reflected in other babies. It is like a delightful mirror for them.
I was also horrified by what was on children’s television and genuinely wanted to create something gentler and more natural for babies and toddlers to watch.
Anyway, I set about making such a film, and many years later, here it is.
There are two separate programs on the DVD. The ‘Grown-ups Version’ has a voiceover outlining and explaining the five key stages of infant development in a friendly and informative way. It has loads of information to help you understand your baby’s development and includes well thought out play ideas to help give your baby the very best start. I’m hoping that you can watch it with your baby and pick up ideas of what to do with them, without feeling like you’re studying for a test!
The ‘Babies Version’ is identical to the first, but instead of a voice over, it has a dynamic soundtrack to gently entertain and stimulate your baby with rhythms, tunes and sounds they love. It features over 45 babies between the ages of 2 weeks and 22 months, doing activities that come naturally to them –playing, eating, exploring, dancing, laughing, bouncing, walking, crawling and sleeping. It can be watched in short sittings and crosses all cultural boundaries.
It was an incredible journey making a film like this – we sometimes spent what felt like hours with the camera’s rolling waiting for the baby to do something, but were rewarded on so many occasions with delightful, beautiful footage of real babies just being themselves. My favourite by far is the gorgeous moment when 7-month-old Connie leans over, grabs 6-month-old Thomas by the ears and plants a little kiss on his head. Babies really do love Babies and I sincerely hope your baby loves ours.
Maria Brosnan
Producer/Director