Spectrum Connections Music Series Review

Spectrum Connections Bounce music series
Movement!, Let’s Go!, Let’s Talk!, Routines!, Emotions!

Description:

"Spectrum Connections’ BOUNCE!" 5 x 45 min DVD's
This is a pre-school music show that runs daily on PBS Sprout. Bounce is an engaging and entertaining music series starring music therapist Elizabeth Balzano and her bouncy friend Balloo. Each episode they lead a classroom of early developers through original songs and fun activities specially designed by veteran family entertainment producers under the careful supervision of autism therapists and developmental consultants. In this series, children learn to explore important things like emotions, body movement and going places all the while singing, dancing and having fun!

This series was originally created for children on the spectrum of autism related disorders. We called it Spectrum Connections. It was originally sold to parents and therapists for this specific need. But a strange thing happened …as people around the world purchased our programs, we began hearing from school teachers and therapists and doctors and moms and dads and they were telling us that in addition to being a delight for their kids on the spectrum it was a favorite for their brothers and sisters as well. At first we were surprised. But the more we thought of it the more we realized, of course, its great entertainment! We called the series “Bounce” because it’s what we do when we’re having fun and learning and playing and achieving. “-David Snyder
Executive Producer, Bounce! - David Snyder, Executive Producer, Bounce!

Each one of these series comes with a DVD and a CD. I loved watching these with my children. The primary purpose of this series is to use music to teach. There is a music therapist that sings to the children and a cartoon character named Balloo, who joins in the fun.

The Bounce series is good for both visual and auditory learners. The lyrics of the songs in each DVD teach specific topics that can be challenging for children to grasp. My favorite was the Emotions! DVD. My son said that it helped him understand how to read emotions a little better. He still has a long way to go, but a little help here and there is always beneficial. His favorite song is the Hello song that they sing at the beginning of each DVD. My daughter’s favorite DVD was the Let’s Go! This DVD covers going to places like the doctor’s office, birthday parties and the playground. She really liked the playground part.

I love the idea of teaching through music. Add to that the visual aspects of the DVD, and this was a winner for everyone in my household. Except my husband. I think he is a little tired of children’s DVDs these days. Oh, well. A lot of the skills addressed in these DVDs are big concerns for parents of ASD children. They are a huge deal for my son. I will continue to use this series with him, and hope that each time he watches them, he will learn a little something more.