From an extremely early age, my daughter has been trying desperately to speak her mind. When we saw that at 9 months she was going to end up creating her own sign language if we didn’t step in, hubby and I decided it was time to break out the college American Sign Language textbooks and see what we could teach her. It took a few tries of signing simple signs like “more” and “thank you” before she really got what the meaning was, but after that she would nod “yes” whenever we would ask her something with those simple signs.
It was at almost exactly one year, though, that she looked at us and just as plain as could be signed “more” right to us. Of course, we cheered for about thirty minutes straight and then decided we needed to introduce even more signs to her. A week or so later she signed “thank you” and then “all done” and from that time she has added almost 30 signs to her list of frequently used words, and is even stringing up to 3 signs together at a time. Now, at 18 months, she signs, speaks and communicates better than I had ever hoped, and is a much happier toddler now that she can use words and signs instead of squeals and grunts to get her opinions known.
Unfortunately, I found that I have purged a good portion of the signs I learned in college, and the signs I do remember aren’t really anything a toddler can use in their day-to-day, so we have found ourselves searching online for new signs to teach her. So, of course I was thrilled when I heard that on December 9th, Nick Jr. was going to be premiering a new music series called Signing Time to teach sign language to preschoolers.
Since my daughter doesn’t watch a lot of television, I actually had no idea that Nick Jr. is a 24-hour commercial-free educational network for preschoolers, and had no idea how many great shows they have for young kids – at any hour. But, my daughter does watch Yo Gabba Gabba on DVR so she can get her groove on, and just the other day we caught one of the Signing Time music videos on Nick Jr. and I watched as my daughter stopped in her tracks and sat glued to the screen during the video.
We were sent a screener for the Signing Time music videos and it had the same effect on all of us. We all sat as a family and grooved to the original and insanely catchy tunes sung and signed by Rachel Coleman. I was actually supposed to be writing a review at the time, and was sitting at my computer with my hands on the keyboard when hubby turned on the DVD, but found that Signing Time and my snuggling family was too hard to resist. In a span of just 5 songs, I learned (or remembered, in some cases) a whole bunch of signs that not only were extremely practical to teach our daughter, but also were so fun that repeating them left us all laughing even after the video had stopped.
That very next day we all had three new signs that we added to our list of frequently used items, and couldn’t wait to watch the videos again to learn more. The brilliance of the Signing Time videos is not just that it’s sign language, it’s that it is aimed at teaching really young kids sign in the most fun and easy way possible. We all know that kids love songs with hand motions, so teaching them songs in sign language is really just the next step – and something that they can use as a skill forever.
In addition to some really cute and catchy tunes, Signing Time does have some really cool learning properties to help kids understand and emulate the signs they see on T.V. For one, all of Rachel Coleman’s fingers have a colorful band just below the finger tips, which makes it easier to see and process the signs, even when they are done fast (which most of them are – they have to keep up with the beat!). The music videos are also impossible to turn away from, which I think is in a large part due to the fact that you just don’t want to look away for fear you might miss something. Pair that with the cute images and videos of kids signing to the music and you’ve got an irresistible combination for kiddos.
Signing Time can be seen on Nick Jr. T.V. as well as on www.nickjr.com
A bit of background from about Signing Time: Coleman co-created Signing Time as a means to teach children to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL). As the mother of a daughter who is deaf, and another daughter with both cerebral palsy and spina bifida, sign language has played a central role in their family. Coleman has spent the last seven years making sign language fun and accessible for all children through the Signing Time series, which includes award-winning DVDs, music CDs, books, flashcards and a former public television show. Coleman, who is also a singer and songwriter, has written all the original songs featured in the series. In 2008 Rachel was nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series.
After viewing the Signing Time screener, I am so excited to check out the PTPA Award Winning Signing Time Parent Success Kit and see what other ideas and tips they have for parents teaching young kids to sign. I, for one, am planning on continuing to sign well into the preschool years and beyond and could use all the help I can get in giving our family new words and phrases to learn that help us describe and respond to all the different aspects of our lives.
on May 21st, 2010 at 12:39 pm
The only bad thing I can say about Signing Time is there aren’t more of them. My wife and I used the series with our daughter from the time she was about 3 months old. I can never adequately express the feeling of joy I had when, at 9 months, my daughter looked at me and signed “I like Daddy.”
One important thing to remember is this series is not a baby sitter. You can’t just plop your child in front of it with out doing it with them. As much as they may enjoy the shows, there isn’t much point if they don’t have someone to communicate with. I’ve heard several stories of the children loosing interest because they didn’t have someone to talk to.
Also, a lot of the cause of the “terrible twos” is due to the fact that the child knows communication is possible, but hasn’t developed the vocabulary. I’d be lying if I said sign language eliminated the “terrible twos” in my daughter, but it was much less severe than what I saw a lot of our friends go through. We could usually calm her down enough so she could sign what the problem was.
Obviously, I can’t say enough about the series. Tested and approved.
on May 21st, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Signing Time has made a huge difference in both of my daughters. Caitrin, who is now almost 5, began to sign with the help of the videos when she was 10 months old. She was able to communicate her needs and wants by sign before she was able to say what she wanted. It virtually eliminated any tantrums, and she still uses sign language today.
It has been amazing to watch her teach her 14 month old sister to sign as well. Adelaide is a late bloomer, and is aphasic at this point. But, she knows how to sign milk, more, want, eat, and all done. Her sign vocabulary is growing daily, and her level of frustration is diminishing.
I am so thankful to have been introduced to Rachel Coleman and the Signing Time videos. We have ALL of them, including the Baby Signing Time series, and LOVE them all.
on May 23rd, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Signing Time has been a big part of my life ever since my daughter started using it to teach sign language to my 2nd grandson. Since then, we have added 3 more grandchildren and each one of them has learned to sign and sing along with Rachel. I also use the series in my special education classroom and have seen numerous benefits including improved sight word recognition and spelling skills. Thank you Rachel, Leah and Alex, for helping children communicate and learn while having FUN!!
on May 23rd, 2010 at 7:46 pm
We are watching Signing Time with our third child now (all three love it and have learned SO much), and it has made a huge difference in our lives, too. My youngest son is not as verbla as the older two were at his age, and just him having the access to all the signs and being able to explain to me what he wants is priceless. And since the older two know sign, too, they are able to understand and interact with their preverbal brother! I love it!!
I would love to see ST played on Sprout or Noggin on a more regular basis and expose more children to this magnificent program!!
I also use the series in my after school class, teachig beginning sign language to K-2 students.
on May 23rd, 2010 at 8:37 pm
We have been watching Signing Time since my triplet boys were one year old. I had searched for a good program for my daughter, but there was nothing around. When I heard about Signing time, we immediately started building our home library and now own everything they have to offer.
Signing Time is wonderful for children of ALL ability levels. I also use Signing Time at my school, in the classroom and as an afterschool club. I wish everyone would expose their children to the wonderful world of sign language!