DVD for intros

[deesolovely]

Afternoon all, well after a long year we've been told we are going to matching panel in December, linked with a one year old girl for intros early January. Excited and petrified all at the same time.

We are now trying to figure out what to record on a usb, which the social worker has asked us to provide. Has anyone got any ideas or suggestions. We don't want to come across as ridiculous but we also don't want to come across as stern or boring however singing into a camera has never been my idea of fun and just spouting out nursery rhymes seems strange. Did you do a number of different recordings for morning, afternoon and evening or did you do one recording which they played repeatedly, did you do anything strange or wonderful to make it more fun? Any help appreciated as neither my partner or I are incredibly imaginative or creative. :)

We didn’t do a video as we were only told the day before panel that we needed something! However, we have friends who did the video and they did it as a tour of the house eg Hi, we are your new mummy and daddy. Let’s go into the lounge etc. Other friends did two videos, one with one person reading a bedtime story, and the other with their partner doing it. The child in question was about 3-4 and the feedback was positive. Someone from our prep group did the singing thing, but it suited their personalities - I’m not sure it would’ve worked for me!
For a one year old, A bedtime story or some nursery rhymes might work, but I don’t think you need to sing anything! The most important thing is that they see your face and hear your voice.

Congratulations !

I just did a walk through of the house and garden, highighting the lovely new trampoline. To finish off I sat on his bed and read a story ( the cat joined in!)
I gave him the book on the first day of intros. But my son was older

I think the key is don't overthink it, children aren't film critics, and she is a baby. I would keep it short and simple

Have fun

Oh god, that is something new to worry about :)

We have approval panel in two days.

Cannot sing for toffee, and have always hated recordings / video etc. Can just about cope with photos.

I can probably manage a tour of the house and garden.

God - why is this all so complicated, and a little weird :) :)

Singing is not compulsory !

Hi, we had to do an intro video. We used the teddy that we bought for our LO in the video. We did a tour around the house and the teddy was in every room and even in LO cot. Sitting next to the animals and on our laps. Lots of intros and we can't wait to see you etc. At first it felt silly. However, once started it was fine. We didn't do a story though!

We did the same as some of the other posters.

We had bought a small cuddly toy as part of our intros. We 'hid' it in different rooms and then someone filmed us as we went around the house looking for it: "is it in the bath? is it in the cupboard under the stairs?".

I think the key thing is not to overthink it and to do it quickly and breezily.

We set the whole thing to music: a song that the FC had told us that DD liked.

There are plenty of editing apps available now that can help you do that.

Ours were older, we did tour of house and commentary.

For a 1yo I would go much simpler. This is what I would do:

Have a cuddly toy on your lap, sing a nursery rhyme (you in shot) and make Teddy dance. Then read a story with your faces in the shot and the book (ie read it upside down. Something like a 'That's not my ...' (or Room on the Broom if child is nearer 2).

The idea is that you look and sound familiar already when they meet you. A 1yo is not going to be critical of singing ability!

Yes, I can see I am going to think of it in the eyes of the child, rather than in the eyes of the FC and SW...

We were not asked to do a dvd but we choose to. Our dd (9 at the time) talked to the camera about various things, went on the trampoline, etc.

DD and her dad did a little tour of our area, local school, library or park etc, can't remember exactly what. But our son was 3 so this was quite relevant as he would go to the school in not that long a time!

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. Starting it this weekend, just need to find a cute not so big Teddy as would, if left to my own devices, buy something ridiculously big :)

Jellycats do nice things.

Bunnies are good as they have nice soft ears for holding (and sucking.)

Congratulations!!

I read a story with a toy that we had been told new daughter would like - after the match was approved we then sent the toy to her.

We also did a couple of short films showing the local park, her new bedroom etc.

We also send massive laminated close up photos of us, the dog and her new bedroom. The FC used these to talk about us.

My daughter was almost 2 and a half, but very baby like.
We did a teddy from build a bear, with voice recorders in the paws telling her we loved her.
A simple 6 page talking photo album, teddy in each photo, photo of her bedroom, do you like pink? Can you see teddy? This is the playroom. These are the dogs. We have a swing in the garden. Etc. I was also asked to do big, A4 sized laminated photos of the same ones from the album.
I also did a recorded story of Guess Hiw Much I Love you, told the story as the pages were turned.
Sadly the FC was awful, negectful and didn’t use half the things I’d been asked to prepare.
Good luck!