Saturday, February 16, 2008

Signing Time~A review and CONTEST!!

****Update! I am sorry to keep you all in blissful suspense! I bet you are dying to find out who won the DVD gift set? Well, to no further ado....drum roll please (bdddddddddddddrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...)
The winner of the Baby Signing DVD gift set is Doreen! Congratulations, Doreen!


I have always been in awe of Signing. I think it is a beautiful language!! It has been my desire, since I was really little, to learn signing. I have recently found the best DVD's for learning sign language, called Signing Time! I am so excited and thrilled to share these videos! I have had these DVD's for only a few weeks, and Caleb is a sponge for learning the signs. I haven't actually counted what he knows, but I would be confident enough to say he has about 20-25 signs down solid. He loves the videos! There are 2 main children who help with the teaching, Alex and Leah. Leah's mom, Rachel, is the main teacher in the DVD's. I think it is an amazing story how Signing Time! came to be. Leah was born deaf, and Rachel learned American Sign Language (ASL) to teach Leah. Leah picked it up so fast, and knew more ASL than the spoken vocabulary of hearing children her same age! Rachel's sister also taught her son, Alex (who can hear), ASL so Leah and him could communicate.

Rachel and her sister Emilie decided to team up to create a captivating, entertaining video to teach sign language to hearing children. Their plan was to make a short DVD that gave their friends and family a fun and easy way to learn a second language, but most importantly to sign with Leah. In May of 2002, the first volume of Signing Time! was completed, starring Rachel, 3-year-old Alex and 5-year-old Leah.

These DVD's offer so much! I love watching them and learning the signs with Caleb and Madelyn. They are very clear, and easy to follow. I really like how Rachel explains why the sign is done the way it is. For example, the sign for banana is: you hold up your forefinger with one hand, and with your other hand you use your forefinger and your thumb to make like you are peeling the banana. I think it really beneficial how Rachel teaches the signs. There are many children and adults in these DVD's, and I like that because kids love watching people. Kids do a lot of the talking in the videos, too. I really like that they really go over each word to help retain the information.

Rachel does singing in the DVD's and the DVD gift sets come with a music cd, so you can practice the signs you learned in the DVD's. Madelyn and Caleb really love the music! I think it helps some people learn with music, too.

I love what these videos have to offer! Signing is not only for those who are deaf. Scientific studies show that "typical" children who learn to sign:
• have higher IQ scores
• are better adjusted
• read at an earlier age

Many parents observe that by learning to communicate earlier, the “terrible twos” are not so terrible—children can use a sign instead of throwing a tantrum to express their needs. I think this is a super reason to introduce and teach signing!

Signing Time is used widely by educators, pediatricians, home-schoolers, speech therapists, public schools, daycare centers, libraries and families as the most fun and easy way to introduce children to sign language.

In addition to 26 Volumes of Signing Time available on DVD, Two Little Hands Productions also offers Baby Signing Time—a series developed for children ages three months to three years old;

Signing Time Songs—CDs featuring the much-loved music for the series; children's board books, flash cards, and other DVDs developed to reinforce the use of sign language in everyday life.


Please note that you get some of the same signs for each the Signing Time and the Baby Signing Time. The Baby Signing Time is designed specifically for babies 3-36 months old, but fun for all ages!

Would you like to win a gift set of either the Signing Time (volumes 1-3) or the Baby Signing Time (volumes 1-3)??

This contest is open to bloggers and non-blogger residents of the United States.

Here are the "rules":

  1. Go to the Signing Time website : http://www.signingtime.com/ and check out the amazing products they carry!
  2. Sign up for the promotions or newsletter for signing time that is found on the left side of the website. **This is a requirement for the contest!
  3. Be sure to check out the Signing Time gift set (1-3) and the Baby Signing Time gift set (1-3).
  4. Comment on this post with the set you would like to win!
  5. After doing #3 & #4, blog about this contest, and comment again with a link to your link!

This contest will be open until March 2 at 11:59 PM CST. Thanks, and happy looking! You will love these DVD's!!

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

Baby Signing Time please.

lace said...

Signing Time set please. I always seem to miss this when it is on pbs. I would love to have my own set.

lace said...

Just posted about the contest here:
http://me-lace.blogspot.com/2008/02/sassyfrazz-and-signing-time.html

I'm also all signed up for the newsletter.

Anonymous said...

I would like the Signing Time gift set please. I subscribed to their newsletter. I do not have a blog.

JayMSluyter@aol.com

Jenny said...

i would LOVE to have the baby signing time. I have a 4 month old baby boy and this would be perfect for us!

Anonymous said...

We LOVE these videos!! Claudia is a big fan : ) We would love to have our own copy of the Baby Signing Times Set - great review. We totally agree!

Doreen said...

Would love to win the Baby Signing set! I signed up for their Newsletter.

Doreen said...

Posted about the contest on my bloggy: http://doreens-scrap-wonderland.blogspot.com/2008/02/signing-times-sets.html .

windycindy said...

Hello! I would choose "Signing Times." Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

kevnjacks said...

Hi there: I would love to win the "Signing Times" DVD set! I jsut signed up for their newsletter and will blog soon. Thanks for entering me!

Danielle said...

I just signed up! Honestly, I'd love to have either set because I have kids in both age ranges, but if I youare going to FORCE me to choose...LOL!...I guess I'll go with Signing Times 1-3

valmg said...

I would LOVE to win this. My youngest has Down Syndrome and his speech is really delayed. He gets so frustrated trying to communicate with us. This would be a great way for the whole family to learn about signing, and help my youngest. I'd want to win the Signing Time 1-3 set. I blogged aobut the contest at http://www.valmg.com/index.php/2008/sign-language/

Anonymous said...

I would like to win the Signing Time Volumes 1-3 set. I wrote about the contest at http://acontestblog.com/index.php/2008/sassyfrazz-signing-time-contest/

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win the Baby Signing Time videos. I checked one out from the library a couple of weeks ago and my daughter LOVED it!

beccachristensen at hotmail.com

Qtpies7 said...

I would love to win the Signing Time vids. My little cousin who is 4 signs so well, and I know that my kids could, too. Plus it would be a great tool for the kids I babysit.

Double Happiness said...

I have to admit that sign language can be picked up so quickly for an infant, as early as 15 month old.

Thanks for the giveaway. I signed up for the promotion and posted it to my web site, http://thedoublehappiness.blogspot.com

Owner said...

great giveaway!! we used to rent these from the library when we lived in a bigger city, but our library here doesn't have them. i love the Signing Time giftset, i just haven't talked anyone into gifting them to us. :D

Owner said...

http://fishbowlfanatics.blogspot.com/2008/02/more-faves.html

blogged you too!

Qtpies7 said...

I blogged you here: http://qtpies7-goodstuff.blogspot.com/2008/02/some-good-stuff-belated-but-here.html

jpandtheboys said...

I would love love love this. I have been signing with Brody for a couple of months now. He hasn't officially signed back. He is trying. We rented Baby Einsteins first signs and he really likes the video. Something to keep and watch would be wonderful. Thanks for the contest!! :) Oh and yes, I registered for the newsletter. :)

jpandtheboys said...

oH! I would like the baby set please and thank you.

Jen said...

We LOVE signing time here.. Mon thru Fri from 3:30-4pm!! Rachel came to town this past year and we were lucky enough to go see her and get our picture taken with her!! Please enter me in your contest as we would LOVE to win the Signing Time Gift Set (1-3).

It's signing time with Alex & Leah come & Play!! :)

Anonymous said...

Blogged the contest:
http://www.blogger.com/profile/12057901349576020279

Anonymous said...

I'm already subscribed with my writetome (at) thesilvas (dot) com addy. :)

I would love the Signing Time gift set. :)

Anonymous said...

I blogged about the giveaway here: http://adashofsassitude.blogspot.com/2008/02/giveaways-around-net_24.html

:)

Anonymous said...

My son (17 months) and I watched this on television for the first time a few weeks ago and it was great. I'd love to win Baby Signing Time. Thanks for the giveaway. I don't have a blog, so I'll just have to spread the word. txterri[at]aol[dot]com

geekbearinggifts said...

I recently started using basic signs with a speech-delayed preschooler and a toddler, and I love it! I've been watching Signing Time on PBS and I would love to have the Baby Signing Time gift set! Thanks for the offer!

Julie Donahue said...

I would love to get the Signing time set. Not only would I use them with my kids (2, 4, and 10), but I work in early intervention and we often teach signs to kids. I only know a few (more, milk, etc.)

Suzie Williams said...

I signed up for the newsletter. I'd love to win Baby Signing Time.

agordon10 said...

I'd like the singing times songs v 1-3

Unknown said...

i need this

arbrashears said...

What cool products! I just had a new baby last month -- and would love to do these with her as she grows -- so I'd love the Baby Signing Times. I don't have a blog, but did sign up on their site, and hope you will accept that and this comment and count me in! A kind of interesting story about teaching signing -- my girlfried taught her kids to sign. One of her children developed a terminal illness that required multiple surgeries. She talked of how every time he would come out of anesthesia, etc. -- even though he had a full vocabulary -- he would always begin communicating with his signs after surgeries or when he was feeling the most sick. So many good things about giving this to your kids as a tool! Please count me in. My fingers are crossed!

Anonymous said...

Hope I win thanks.

redron said...

great prize

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

thanks for the contest

idahomom said...

I think that everyone should learn to sign.

mousitch said...

Great for the kids.

ky2here said...

These would be great.

Genevieve P said...

I'd like to win the Signing Times gift set! I've signed up on their site. Thanks!

Kari @ A Giveaway Addicted Mommy said...

I would love, love, love the Baby Signing Time! My Jake hasn't mastered hand gestures yet but I have been signing to him for many months now and are ready for the pro's to step in!!

Kari @ A Giveaway Addicted Mommy said...

I blogged your contest!
http://nateandjakeandme.blogspot.com/
You are my first "real" entry... had to start a new blog so Yippee! You are first!! :)

Heather said...

I have heard great things about this series but I've never used it. I would love to win Signing Time (volumes 1-3)!

Brooke Lorren said...

I love Signing Time! They're always checked out of the library though. I'd like to win the regular set since I'll be watching them too so I can sign them to my little guy.

Nickerty said...

We would LOVE to have either one. Our 2 boys would have a blast with this. It would be perfect for us! Here is the link to the blog:
http://whatworkedformykids.blogspot.com/2008/02/signing-time.html

We also signed up for the newsletter...

Anonymous said...

I am interested in both! But will chose the Signing Time gift set :) I did sign up for the newsletter and I have no blog so here is my email-
smithpatty at comcast dot net

Thanks!

aharris007 said...

My 3 year old son has a really bad speach impairment, he has a therapist come to our house 2x a week and he starts school in 2 months, but they teach him to sign also so this would be really great to help him!! Please enter me!1

Anonymous said...

These DVDs are great! I took some ASL classes a few years back and have taught my infant and 15 yr old what I remember. It comes in very handy for the baby and if you are sick or just dont feel like talking. lol

I would love to win Signing Time Vol 1-3.

Thanks for the contest!

Alexia said...

Great giveaway! I would love to win the Baby Signing Times gift set (both of my boys are in that age range!) I am signed up for their newsletter as well!

Alexia said...

I have blogged about your giveaway here: http://themommyrambles.blogspot.com/2007/09/if-youre-bored.html

Christina Gould said...

Cute!

Jinxy and Me said...

I would love the Baby Singing Time!

yellowlabs said...

I would love this. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

signing times please thank you

Donna said...

I wiuld like signing time please.

Divine Diva In NC said...

Signing Time please.

toyota said...

Hey, would like to win this. enter me. thanks.

Miranda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Would love to have this to teach

Miranda said...

Would Love to win signing times Blogged here http://forums.online-sweepstakes.com/blog.php?b=370

Anonymous said...

My baby just signed that she wants me to win!