Snapatoonies, Epidsode 4: At the Zoo with Turtle

PreS—The defining characteristic of this video is its interactiveness. Five simply illustrated child characters, representing a variety of backgrounds, sit on an amusement park train that remains at the bottom of the screen throughout the program and respond when prompted by the Turtle narrator. Photographs introduce children to animals in the zoo and they are asked what letter each animal's name begins with and whether they can say it. Using a question and answer format, the audience learns simple facts about habitats, animal characteristics, and the differences between similar animals like monkeys and apes, alligators and crocodiles, and turtles and tortoises. Viewers are often provided a choice of two answers—one correct and the other satisfyingly silly. Concepts like camouflage are introduced naturally. For example, after the children respond that a snake is patterned rather than plain, they are asked whether the pattern helps the snake play baseball or hide. Correct responses give kids a sense of accomplishment. Positive reinforcement follows each answer. New vocabulary and animal names are printed on the screen. Color identification brings another educational aspect to the program. There are plenty of facts for preschoolers to absorb, but perhaps most valuable is learning to make comparisons.—Constance Dickerson, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Library, OH