Petite Feet: Ballet Adventures with Liz - The Alphabet Jungle

I recommend Liz Vacco constantly to parents interested in dance instruction for their kids. First, Liz really knows how to engage young children by embedding classical dance techniques in playful, imaginative storytelling. Warm-up stretches that could otherwise feel like repetitive drills become fun when they're enacted through songs and stories. Liz's dance instruction makes great use of stories to encourage empathy, expression and creativity through physical movement. (Liz doesn't just know dance, she knows child development-- she's a teacher and is doing graduate work in education. The difference shows!)Second, Liz always uses high quality, non-commercial music. The songs on Petite Feet 2 (and 1) are original and catchy without being annoying. After getting this DVD, my 5-year-old twins started singing some of the songs throughout their day. This aesthetic is also reflected in the overall production-- child-friendly but gentle, almost-old fashioned in its lack of jarring quick cuts, blaring graphics, or unnecessary sound or visual effects that can be annoying in other videos for children.Third, I got both Petite Feet DVD's specifically for two international trips with my twins. It was SO great to have something they could do indoors, in our tiny urban apartment, that was active and creative, as an alternative to passive screen time.Finally, both my kids just flat out enjoy Liz's teaching. We have boy/girl twins. While my daughter is the self-proclaimed ballerina, my son (who wouldn't "do ballet" in front of others) actually loves joining in all the dance songs and activities as well.

I have 2 daughters, ages 5 and 2.5, who are BIG fans of Petite Feet (the original), so I scoured the web to see if Liz had produced another dvd. At the time, she had not, but there was a poll on her website asking for input on what video kids would like her to produce next. We cast our vote for more ballet and crossed our fingers. I can't begin to describe the SHEER JOY in this house when the girls unwrapped Petite Feet 2 (after I stalked Amazon relentlessly for its release).This 2nd installment has proven to be just as fabulous as the first, with my kids asking for it repeatedly (and requiring at least one encore presentation at each showing). And like I've noted with my review of the original Petite Feet, I think my kids have learned more fundamentals of beginning ballet from Liz than they have in the preschool ballet classes they've done at a studio.My kids also like Liz more than the various teachers they've had at their studio. Liz is the equivalent of a rockstar around here and my girls are begging to take one of her classes in LA.5 stars to Petite Feet 2 and 5 stars to Liz for producing a fun and educational ballet series (and for using quality production).

This is the most charming dvd for children. The first time I put it in, my 3 year old daughter and 5 year old autistic son were involved in seconds and demanded to do it twice in a row. Four months later we still use it a couple of times a week, they still love it, and it's a huge hit for playdates. The neighbor kids love to have "ballet class" at our house. Liz is adorable, inspiring, and imaginative. The music is great and not annoying for adults. Sweet, innocent, and decent exercise on a rainy day. Very professionally done. We can't afford to put the kids in local ballet classes, but I feel that this is an wonderful substitute. With my son, he would be too stressed in a strange environment with a lot of other kids, and this dvd allows him to work on his balance, coordination, and sense of rhythm in his comfort zone, and also at whatever time of day he is feeling energetic. We tried a couple of other childrens ballet videos by other teachers, they were just unbelievably awful in comparison to Petit Feet, we sent those right back. I will buy as many more as Liz will make. PLEASE make more Liz!!!!!

My 3 year old daughter LOVED ballet class, and is so sad that her ballet studio has been closed due to covid. I wanted to get her dancing again because she just loves it so much, so we bought the “adventures with Liz” DVD. She has done ballet every single day this week and has learned terms that she didn’t pick up from 3 months of ballet classes. After we realized how great these were, we bought the alphabet jungle one too (on prime video) for some variety. She asks to do her “ballet movie” ALL the time and I’m so glad she loves it so much. We’ll probably end up buying the detectives one too since the others are so great! This is as close as we can get to real ballet classes right now and we’re thrilled.

I am very picky about what I let my children watch on tv. Usually I stick to educational DVDs like the preschool prep company series. But when my 2 year old daughter showed an interest in dance, I searched and read reviews on videos appropriate for her age. I have purchased other children's DVDs and been very disappointed and amazed at so many positive reviews. Sometimes they go straight to the trash because I don't want my kids eyes watching the jumpy animation. This video is exactly what I was looking for and best of all, my daughter LOVES it. At first she just watched mesmerized, but after a few times I got down on the floor and started following along with the class. Then my daughter followed along too. No, she's not very good at just 26 months old, but it is adorable watching her try. I like the music, the simple dance steps and the length of the DVD. Liz is just awesome! I have 2 other ballet DVDs and this one far surpasses the others in every way. Even my 3 1/2 year old son likes to dance along with it...although not nearly as gracefully. LOL.