Educational DVDs for Young Kids: Phonics, Letter Sounds & More

As we road trip a lot, I'm always looking for fun but educational DVDs to play for my kids. There's only so much Tom & Jerry we can play them before the good Mom in me cries uncle. I'm always on the quest to find educational DVDs for my kids that will still keep them entertained.

A few DVDs that have fit the bill for us over the years include:
Rock 'N Learn Phonics series - we only just started watching these DVDs last summer. Finding something both of my kids will enjoy (there is a 3-year age gap) is tough but these DVDs have been loved by both. They are animated with fun songs - catchy tunes that make listening and watching alone entertaining for my younger one. Additionally, there is story telling with the words on the bottom, fun songs that teach phonics rules and more that are important and useful for my older son to hear. We've been watching Phonics Vol 1 and Vol 2 but Rock 'N Learn also offers many other learning DVDs like Telling Time, Letters & Sounds, Earth Science and more.

LeapFrog is a company that's known as a leader in the children's educational product market for years. They make many DVDs, each with their character "Tad" helping to teach kids lessons along the way. From learning their ABCs to Math & Science, they have DVD selections for the baby up through the elementary-aged child. (The favorites in our house have been Math to the Moon and Letter Factory) You can get Leapfrog DVDs for $12.99 plus at various online retailers online.

I will forever be grateful for Preschool Prep. Years and years ago, when I first started my blog, they sent me Meet the Letters, a cutesy and simple little DVD on teaching kids their ABCs. My oldest (just over 1 at the time) LOVED it. He learned his letters in a matter of days and we never looked back. I think the key to the success in these series are the simple animation. There's not much in the way of extra stimulation - a simple letter with a simple theme holds the child's attention. I can't recommend these DVDs enough. We had Meet the Letters, Meet the Numbers, Meet the Colors and Meet the Shapes. I see they've since gone onto make many more DVDs like Meet the Sight Words. Get any of the Preschool Prep DVDs for $12 plus at various stores online.