A kaleidoscope of new topics and titles in video viewing for education, entertainment and just plain fun.

Given the current explosion of new videos, this column will review a kaleidoscope of videos that reflect myriad topics. Some reviews represent individual videos, while others offer somewhat abbreviated glimpses of promising new series.

Developing Child Series. In The Developing Child, Magna Systems, Inc. offers a new series of thought-provoking study modules that provide background and insight into many of the current issues, influences and trends in child development from infancy through the middle years. All of the modules have both academic and professional applications, with curricular connections to classroom or staff development.

The History & Trends video compares the changing childhood development theories throughout the years, and presents research-derived principles. In the Theories of Development video, a panorama of commentary is provided from key theorists in child development. Videos that focus on middle childhood study include Physical Growth and Development, Cognitive and Language Development, and Social and Emotional Development, each of which concentrates on that age period's characteristics, influences and issues. Children in the middle years are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in development, which may result in a variety of learning and behavior disorders. Possible preventive measures include school interventions and curricular adjustments. Before making curriculum decisions, schools should consider issues concerning students' peers, parents, health, relationships, stresses and safety. Overall, the series can help parents and educators rethink what schools are for, and to improve planning and articulation of programs in getting schools ready for children, appropriate to their development, needs and characteristics.

All five videos in the Developing Child series may be ordered at a discounted price of $368.80, or individually at $89.95. Each video module runs approximately 27-29 minutes. A free Resource Guide/Workbook is available with each video module purchase. Magna Systems may be called toll free at 1800-203-7060, or reached by fax at 1-815-459-4280, or write to 95 West Countyline Road, Barrington, IL 60010.

Featherby's Fables Series. This new series, with 20 titles, presents integrative science lessons for primary age children, using a fun fantasy theme. The story format and puppet gnomes will capture viewers' attention in a kid-friendly way. The Hastey Pudding Puppet Company provided the life and breath for this series created by William Hopper. Suggested links to additional science and activities are given through the accompanying Teacher's Guide. Program topics include rocks and minerals, the seasons, forces, computers, change and light.

Exemplifying the series' fantasy theme is "Rock and Rollo," in which Mr. Featherby reads a story about uses of rocks and minerals. The reading soon fades into scenes from Gnomania, where the story becomes integrated with the science lesson. Follow-up and extension activities in the Teacher's Guide offer tips on pet rock activities, as well as geology careers, more uses of rocks and minerals, rock polishing, field trip / resource ideas and riddles.

The videos' lighthearted approach will entice children into enjoying and understanding scientific concepts. Other characters in the series include Captain Light, Beaumont the Beaver, Detective Dan, Thomas T. Video, Finley Frostbite and more.

For more information on Featherby's Fables, contact Great Plains National ITV Library (GPN), 1800 No. 33rd, P.O. Box 80669, Lincoln, NE 68501-0669, or call 402-472-2007 or toll free 800-228-4630. A complete catalog of all videos is available from GPN by calling the toll-free number, or by faxing 800-306-2330. The 20 15-minute programs in the series may be purchased for $499, or individually at $29.95 per program, plus shipping and handling. The Teacher's Guide is $2.30.

Parental Support and Reading Resources

Born To Succeed: An Early Literacy Message from Young Parents will motivate parents to start reading to their children early (even before birth). Available in both Spanish and English, the video captures unstaged comments offered in very encouraging contexts for follow-up application. The comments are sure to spark discussions and reactions among parent education and support groups, teen parent programs, early childhood education classes, library outreach programs and other groups interested in children and literacy. Topics include bonding, quality time, lifelong learning, togetherness, imagination and more.

Born To Succeed (English), or La Llave del Exito (Spanish), produced by Early Childhood Resources of Multnomah County Library, has a running time of approximately 12 minutes (English) or 10 minutes (Spanish) in VHS. (The Spanish version also includes a translated transcript.) Cost is $24 per video. The video was produced with a grant from the Oregon State Library, P.L. 101-254. Information on this 1996 production is available by calling 503-248-5458, or contacting the above at 205 NE Russell Street, Portland, OR 97212-3796.

The New Harvest of Children's Videos The following four videos are some of the best that this reviewer has seen among children's videos this year. Of more than 30 reviewed, these four deserve the highest overall rating, based on a rubric emphasizing quality in both content and production, accuracy of terms and concepts, educational investment, audience interest and relevance, developmental appropriateness, and creative connections and contributions to learning. These videos are particularly worthwhile for home or school libraries.

Little Mammoth Media's The Big Submarine introduces children to one of the wonders of modern technology. It offers an incredible opportunity to see how things work, and what daily life is like, aboard the Trident submarine, which stretches the length of two football fields and carriers a crew of 150. The video uses some of the best of the new teaching techniques - incorporating the unfamiliar with the familiar, using toys, constructivist thinking and almost-experiential learning.

The information packed into this one video easily could have filled two or three. Children will enjoy the enthusiasm, music and child narration. Vocabulary visual insets provide helpful introductions to unfamiliar words. The pace moves quickly throughout. Future career interest may be sparked by the inset interview segments with real crew members. Although children in grades 3-6 would learn the most from this video, younger and older children will still find much to hold their attention and add to their learning.

The Big Submarine is the fourth entry (with more titles in production) in Little Mammoth Media's The Big Adventure series. The running time is 50 minutes in VHS Stereo. This 1996 video is available by calling Little Mammoth Media at 800-KID-VIDEO. For more information on costs, local availability or other questions, call Diane Simone at 404-221-0236, or send an E-mail message to [e-mail]

Dreams Come True Productions contributed The Little Horse That Could - The Connemara Stallion: Erin Go Bragh. This very entertaining video, based on the real life story of "a little horse with a big heart," provides glimpses of the daily life and routines of a competition horse. The little Connemara horse Erin Go Bragh surprises many with his persistence, talent and winning ways. All ages will enjoy the story and take away individualized meaning. The stallion's remarkable success underscores the theme of keeping high expectations, remaining committed and continuing steady practice.

Viewers also meet Erin Go Bragh's trainer and owner, Carol Kozlowski. The photography is beautiful; the storyline, Celtic music and narrative are carefully connected, plus informative and interesting. The topics covered provide insight about the tremendous dedication and risk involved in the care and training of a competition horse. Behind-the-scenes segments on training and preparation for the horse show even include lessons on braiding manes, and the proper care and grooming of both horse and rider. Viewers will learn about the three stages of competition (i.e., dressage, cross country and show jumping).

Those who have not really thought much about horses may become horse lovers, inspired by Erin Go Bragh's courage and heart. Children need more uplifting, real-life stories such as this one. This video is a special treat for all ages. One of the most interesting features of this film is its ability to teach us a lot about ourselves. This can-do horse teaches us to go farther than anyone may have thought possible.

The Little Horse That Could - The Connemara Stallion: Erin Go Bragh is produced by Dreams Come True Productions. Running time is approximately 60 minutes in VHS. This 1996 video is available by calling Dreams Come True Productions at 800-297-8787 or 716-232-3480, or by writing to the company directly at 80 North Union Street, Rochester, NY 14607.

Vrrrooommm #2: Dairy Farming for Kids is the latest video by Rainbow Communications to explore farming and agriculture in the United States. Although geared mainly for children ages 5-8, younger and older children also will find much to keep their interest. Even adults may welcome this opportunity to reminisce or check out what they missed in their own youth.

The topic/theme of "farms" appears to be popular in K-1 curricula today, perhaps because of children's questions about where food comes from. Farmer Bill answers common food questions as he takes viewers on a personal tour of the Coyne Dairy Farm, a modern family farm with 700 cows. Although the story has a technological bent, there is room for the personal touch, with segments on family, rural life, play and just plain fun.

This video study generates a whole new appreciation for the complex process of milk production - the viewer follows the growing of crops for cattle feed, through a great variety of farm procedures, to the processing of dairy products, including a step-by-step introduction to cheese making. (Although every aspect could not be covered, many unfamiliar with farms and dairy really would need a more complete introduction to "silage.")

A great variety of roles and careers are highlighted along the way. Overall, this video provides in-depth answers and an agricultural celebration that does much to enrich children's learning on this subject in a way that few have done before.

Vrrrooommm #2: Dairy Farming for Kids, produced by Rainbow Communications, has a running time of approximately 30 minutes in VHS. This 1996 video is available by calling Rainbow Communications at 800-518-FARM, or by writing to the company directly at 1276 School Road, Victor, NY 14564.

The Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning International and the Trillium Health Center have put together an important video on parasite awareness. Although The Creatures from Inner Space is not for those with weak stomachs, most kids will love it. While technology now makes it possible to transport foods from all over the world, it also permits parasites to spread. Contaminated water is probably the most common way these "unwelcome guests" enter human hosts. Pets are another source.

Fortunately, precautions can help. Washing your hands before you handle food or eat may be the single most important and effective way to defend against parasites, which are responsible for many illnesses. This video presents discussions by physicians, dietitians and veterinarians about medical symptoms and prevention, in addition to visuals, animation, songs and microscopic images. In general, the video makes good use of visuals, special effects and pacing.

Music and fun take away some of the inherent fear of this topic and help children remember healthful practices and prevention. The "Wash Your Hands" song is sure to catch on among children and youth. Petri dish experiments with appropriate safety measures and white glove experiments are good for classroom follow-up exercises. While assessment questions are helpful, accompanying information, activities and resource information would have been helpful. Parasitic names and unfamiliar terms could have been better explained, as well.

The Creatures from Inner Space, produced by the Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning International, has a running time of approximately 28 minutes in VHS. Video information on this 1996 production may be obtained by calling 316-682-3100, or by directly writing the center at 3100 N. Hillside Avenue, Wichita, KS 67219, or visit their website at http://www.brightspot.org.