Our Favorite Signing Time DVDs | Lone Star Signers * San Antonio, Texas

**The ENTIRE Signing Time Collection for just $1.00?! 
Read down to the end for details!**

All of our signing classes come with a Signing Time/Baby Signing Time DVD of the family’s choosing. When a family asks me which DVD I think they should pick, here is what I tell them.

If your family is brand new to signing, I recommend that you start with Signing Time volumes 1-3 or Baby Signing Time (4 volumes) based on the age of your child. Both sets cover the most popular words/signs that a young child will use first and will give your family a strong foundation for signing success.

If you and your child have been signing for some time, these are my five favorites to watch with my own children (affiliate links used):

1. My Day

Signing Time Vol. 10: My Day - Preview from Signing Time on Vimeo.

2. My Neighborhood

Signing Time Vol. 11: My Neighborhood - Preview from Signing Time on Vimeo.

3. Sing and Sign


4. ABC Signs

Signing Time Vol. 5: ABC Signs - Preview from Signing Time on Vimeo.

5. Move and Groove

Signing Time Series 2 Vol. 3: Move and Groove - Preview from Signing Time on Vimeo.

Keep in mind that the San Antonio Public Library carries the entire Signing Time and Baby Signing Time series. For a limited time, you can also sign up for the Two Little Hands digital subscription service at just $1.00 for the first month! (NO commitment, cancel anytime!).

For a limited time:

Try the All-Access Digital Subscription NOW for just $1.00!

Signing Time

Baby Signing Time

Potty Time

Rachel & the TreeSchoolers

Which Signing Time/Baby Signing Time DVD 
is YOUR favorite?

Book Update: March 2014

Last month, I shared my February book pile along with a request for advice about joining Goodreads. After so many positive responses, I went ahead and signed up for the site. So far, it's been helpful for keeping track of which books I've read--I have such a backlog that I'm really skimming fast.

I started the month with 15 books in the pile! I read seven of them, skimmed one, and picked up five more along the way.

Here's what I read in February:
(Affiliate links used, which means if you purchase the book, I'll receive a small commission. 
Please view my disclosure policy for more information.)

1. Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph

This was a great book with easy-to-digest chapters. I didn't finish it before the due date (it's a new book, so no renewals), so it's back on the pile for March.

2. Anything by Jennie Allen

I saw Jennie speak at the IF:gathering (stream) and really connected with her passion. I borrowed the e-book first and sped-read my way through it. I plan on working my way through a little slower with the paper version.

3. Who Is This Man? by John Ortberg

I thought this would end up being returned without being read, but I started it in the car when I had a few minutes to wait. The beginning really drew me in (I enjoy Ortberg's writing style), but my interest waned about halfway through.

4. The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons by Amanda Blake Soule

Really pretty pictures! I realized while reading that I'm not nearly as "crunchy" as I feel sometimes. :)

5. Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age by Maggie Jackson

Doesn't that title sound intriguing?! Yeah, not so much. This author is an "academic" and the writing is dry. I was distracted while reading it. :)

6. Waldorf Education: A Family Guide

Waldorf education intrigues me, but it's not the right fit for our family.

7. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk

I read Gary's first two books and this was the best of the three. (I'm glad I read the other two in January so I had a chance to "get to know" his personality and backstory.) If you have a small business or blog and you need advice about social media, this is a quick and helpful read.

8. The Artful Parent by Jean Van't Hul

I found a link to Jean's blog on Google +, and I was so excited to read her book. Practical for all parents (especially anyone who doesn't jump to do crafts with their children), I've already implemented a weekly art time for my girls. Great resource!

9. Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace

I really wanted a fiction read, and this was recommended to me by Goodreads. I loved the Betsy-Tacy books when I was in elementary school--so this was like getting together with childhood friends.

10. The Toddler's Busy Book by Trish Kuffner

Or "what moms did before Pinterest." :)

11. Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt

Meh. If you don't know what Twitter is or how to set up a Facebook page, this might be a good starting point for you. Personally, I found him condescending and supercilious. (And the fact that he told the same stories in multiple sections/constantly cross-referenced to other chapters really bothered me.)

12. The Core by Leigh Bortins

If you're interested in classical education, this is a great primer. This was my second read-through.

13. Freefall to Fly by Rebekah Lyons

Oh my. This may be my favorite book in a long time. Rebekah's story means the world to me, as I've struggled with anxiety since Kate's birth. I devoured this one in 24 hours.

Here is my to-read pile for March 2014. I'm sure I'll pick up a few more along the way! :) What are YOU reading this month? 

Around here: October

Woo-hoo, Wednesdays are my favorite days!! We've made it through the mad rush that is the beginning of the week and now we are slowly descending toward the weekend.

Here is a quick look into our family's life:
* researching Abigail Adams
* enjoying cooler weather
* reacting to seasonal allergies
* reading about William Hoy

* playing with friends
* visiting the neighborhood park
* purging and cleaning out closets
* clicking on ABCs with this FREE game:
ABC Alphabet Phonics - Preschool Kids Game Free Lite

* practicing skip-counting
* purging and cleaning out closets
* enjoying "old school" Sesame Street

* making Halloween costumes (Can anyone tell who our five year old is going to be?)

What is YOUR family up to?

DVD Recommendations, Part 2

In my last post, I shared part of our Signing Time DVD collection. Here are the rest of my recommendations!

I highly recommend to everyone that asks--check your local library system to see which Signing Time DVDs they carry! You get a variety of options with absolutely NO cost. Our San Antonio Public Library carries all of the Baby Signing Time and regular Signing Time DVDs, so I make it a point to purchase the items I can't borrow from the library! Here are all those "extras" that we love:

Signing Time: Sing and Sign: 

Sing & Sign features Rachel Coleman signing thirteen of the most popular Signing Time songs from beginning to end. You’ll have lots of fun while you learn the ASL concepts in each song.

Sing & Sign features three viewing options for each song:

• Learn to Sign: Rachel shows you how to sign each song all the way through, and explains why you might encounter different ASL interpretations of the same song. 
• Sing & Sign: Watch the words on the screen and follow along with Rachel as you sign each song from beginning to end. 
• Original DVD Versions: View music clips of each song, taken straight from the Signing Time series. It’s like watching all your favorite music videos back-to-back!

We LOVE this DVD! There are so many secondary signs to pick up...plus it covers lots of our favorite songs from Volumes 1-6, which eliminates the need for us to purchase those. :)

Signing Time: Story Time:

Story Time is a hands-on approach to reading, featuring six original stories that incorporate signs for bugs, family members, activities, animals, vehicles, feelings, colors, fruits, and more. First, Rachel will teach you how to sign key words from each story in American Sign Language. Then she’ll read the story to you while signing those key words. Listen, watch, read, and sign along with Rachel as the words to each story appear on the screen.

Our older daughter is an early reader, and I strongly believe that the Signing Time series played a huge role! One of the best tips I share with parents is to turn the captions on when children have their rare TV time. Story Time is one of our favorite DVDs--Counting Sheep is adorable!

Signing Time: Practice Time ABCs:

In Practice Time ABCs, host Rachel Coleman teaches you the alphabet in American Sign Language and quizzes you on what you've learned. Using clear, simple instruction, Rachel demonstrates each sign, and then sums up all of the letters in the Alphabet Song, so you can sing and sign along! Once you’ve mastered the alphabet, Rachel leads you through a series of interactive fingerspelling exercises.

This is a GREAT DVD for older preschoolers and early readers. Fingerspelling is such a fantastic tool for learning to spell, especially for visual and kinesthetic learners.

Potty Time (DVD + CD):

Potty Time teaches the potty routine along with signs that children of any age can use to talk about growing up, using the potty, and celebrating successes of all kinds. Signs are especially useful for potty training infants and toddlers. The Potty Time DVD and Music CD help children feel good about their growing bodies, learn the potty routine, and celebrate successes of any kind!

This DVD came out right after our first daughter learned how to use the toilet independently, so it's taken us a couple of years to be able to watch and enjoy this with our second daughter! :) Kate is in the beginning stages of potty training, but she definitely has a head start after watching this DVD a couple of times a month. It has so many positive messages that any child can benefit from, plus very helpful/practical signs.

Rachel and the Treeschoolers (DVD + CD), Episode 1: A Rainy Day:

Rain interrupts the TreeSchooler’s plans to play outside. The lightning and thunder scare Abacus Finch. Rachel and the TreeSchoolers show Abacus that understanding something can make it less scary. This episode teaches the following skills, concepts and values:

• weather concepts 
• problem solving 
• word rhyming 
• sign language 
• storytelling 
• persistence 
• kindness 
• courage 
• sorting

This is the first of Rachel Coleman's new series and it's adorable. It's definitely light on the signs, but it's nice to have a familiar face introduce new ideas about weather--and the songs are great, too! New DVDs are expected later this year!

Starting tomorrow (June 3rd), all DVDs on the Signing Time website are just $10! This is an annual sale, so be sure to stock up--we won't see prices this low until next year!

Click here to start shopping!

*This post does contain affiliate links. I I have purchased each of these DVDs for my own family; these opinions are entirely my own. Please view my disclosure policy for more information. *

Which DVD Should I Buy?

Last summer, Signing Time had a $10 DVD sale (that's 50% off regular prices!) and our family stocked up!

It's taken 3.5 years to build up our collection, and today I want to share some of our favorites with you.

**But first--here's a little about Signing Time, from SigningTime.com:**

The award-winning Signing Time DVDs will help you and your child learn basic American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary words. Signing Time truly makes learning sign language easy, entertaining and fun for children of all ages. The format of Signing Time includes an adult (Rachel Coleman, co-creator) to model each sign, supported by footage of Alex and Leah (real kids, cousins in real life, Leah is deaf and Alex can hear, and Leah is Rachel's daughter), as well as footage of children and families demonstrating each sign in the proper context. Two to four thematic songs are sprinkled throughout each volume to help bring together all that you've learned.

The recommended ages for Signing Time are ages 1-8, although all ages love it and find it a fun and easy way to learn basic ASL signs. (If we can make it simple enough for small children to learn, older children and adults will learn in a snap!)

Each DVD is approximately 30 minutes long plus approximately 15 minutes of bonus material and special features such as interviews, bloopers, sign variations, and behind-the-scenes segments. All products are close-captioned and also contain English subtitles as an optional backup for captioning.

Baby Signing Time, Volumes 1-4: 

Baby Signing Time is designed specifically for babies 3 - 36 months old. This two-volume series sets your baby's day to music as you learn signs and songs for everyday events in baby's life such as eating, washing hands, sleep time, family members, pets, and more. The format of this program is a combination of original songs, animation, and real signing babies age 2 and under demonstrating each sign.

Baby Signing Time makes signing easy and fun and is a great product to start with if your child is under three years old. If you already own the Signing Time series, adding Baby Signing Time to your collection is a good idea if you still have young children in your family. It provides more reinforcement (and new songs) for those beginning signs. Baby Signing Time also makes an excellent gift for expectant mothers and new babies and is one of Signing Time's best-selling products.

**After Baby Signing Time, there are 26 Signing Time DVDs. There are two different series of Signing Time, called Series One and Series Two, that contain 13 volumes each, making 26 total. Series One is the original 13 Volumes of Signing Time (the series that started it all!) which were released from 2002-2006.**

ABC Signs/Leah's Farm:

These award-winning DVDs will teach your child over 20 ASL signs for farm animals, plus all of the letters of the alphabet! Features the song "Down on Leah's Farm" as seen on Nick Jr. Please note that these two DVDs are packed in one case.

Leah's Farm is a classic; one of my girls' top 5 for sure! They love learning all the animals and it ties in so well with many adorable children's books (Old MacDonald, Barnyard Dance).

ABC Signs is terrific for preschoolers--we bought it for our older daughter when she turned 4, but our younger daughter enjoys it, too. The song "A is for Alex" moves quickly and is a terrific exercise for signers looking for an extra challenge. :)

The Zoo Train:

Like Leah's Farm, The Zoo Train is another favorite at our house. Our girls love learning all the animal signs! 

ASL signs taught in this DVD: Rhinoceros - Kangaroo - Camel - Gorilla - Crocodile - Elephant - Penguin - Giraffe - Bat - Seal - Panda - Hippopotamus - Zebra - Tiger - Lion - Monkey - Starfish - Shrimp - Lobster - Crab - Octopus - Dolphin - Whale - Shark.

My Neighborhood:

This was our second Signing Time DVD purchase! I love that it covers the vocabulary that we use almost everyday when we go to the park and run errands, plus the signs for important people in our "neighborhood" (police officer, firefighter, doctor, nurse).

**Series Two reinforces signs that have been learned in Series One, and builds your ASL vocabulary with many new signs. Brand new learning modules such as "Counting Time" and "ABC Time" are segments within each volume that reinforce either the theme or signs being taught, and provide the opportunity to practice other skills within a signing framework.** 

Move and Groove:

Move and Groove was the first Signing Time DVDs I ever purchased, long before I was a Signing Time Academy Instructor! I LOVE that it gives my girls a chance to get up and move--during a hot Texas summer, it's important to have ways to burn off energy indoors. This DVD does the trick!

**So those are the Baby Signing Time and Signing Time DVDs that our family owns! Check back to hear about the rest of our collection...and what we plan on purchasing next!**

*This post does contain affiliate links. I I have purchased each of these DVDs for my own family; these opinions are entirely my own. Please view my disclosure policy for more information. *

Product Review: Signing Time Series One, Volume 11 (My Neighborhood)

Alex, Leah, their frog Hopkins, and host Rachel Coleman teach ASL signs for playground activities, vehicles, places to go and people to see in your neighborhood. Created for ages 1-8, yet fun for all. Available only on DVD. Close-Captioned. Approximate run time: 30 minutes, plus special features.

My Neighborhood includes the following original songs, written by Rachel Coleman:
* Signing Time Theme
* Down at the Park
* Watch Me Go
* My Job
* In My Neighborhood
* Every Day

ASL signs taught in this DVD:
Playground - Roller Skates - Picnic - Kite - Swing - Slide - Climb - Sand - Helicopter - Bus - Boat - Motorcycle - Slow - Fast - Store - Buy - Stamp - Mail - Library - Story - Office - Work - Restaurant - Firefighter - Police Officer - Doctor - Nurse.

And if you pay close attention, you’ll also see and learn these additional signs:
Time - Teach - Come - Sign - Sing - Dance - Laugh - Play - Where - Friend - Meet - Find - Not - Different - Share - Love - Day - Now - Favorite - Spot - Go - Do - Much - See - City - School - Watch - Need - Mailbox - Can - Good/Behave - Read - Book - Hard - Visit - Eat - People - Same - Family - Careful - Safe - Help - Hurt - Every Day - Special - Diaper - Potty.

***

If you're just starting out signing with your little ones, I definitely recommend the Baby Signing Time series and volumes 1-3 of regular Signing Time. But what do you watch once you've seen all of those and mastered the signs your family uses regularly? Well, I have been watching Signing Time DVDs with my daughter(s) for over three years now. It's safe to say that we each have our favorites, and Signing Time: My Neighborhood (Series 1, Volume 11) is definitely my favorite!

As a stay-at-home mom, this DVD covers so many of the signs related to our everyday errands: playground, library, post office. My toddler loves the "Watch Me Go" segment with all the transportation signs and my preschooler loves the Special Helper section. (We use the signs whenever we see a firefighter or police officer while we're out and about. There really are helpers everywhere!)

I love to help families find just the right DVD for their situation. If you have any questions, please comment below or e-mail me!

This post does contain affiliate links. I purchased this DVD for my family long before I became a Signing Time Academy instructor after checking it out from the library MANY times. :) The opinions stated in this post are entirely my opinion.

Product Review: Practice Time ABCs DVD

In Practice Time ABCs, host Rachel Coleman teaches you the alphabet in American Sign Language and quizzes you on what you've learned. Using clear, simple instruction, Rachel demonstrates each sign, and then sums up all of the letters in the Alphabet Song, so you can sing and sign along!

Once you’ve mastered the alphabet, Rachel leads you through a series of interactive fingerspelling exercises. Rachel fingerspells dozens of words and you get to practice “reading” what she’s signing. This exercise is an excellent way to reinforce early reading skills with young readers!

Next, Rachel will ask you to fingerspell the words you see on the screen. She then shows you the correct answer so you’ll know if you got it right! This exercise builds your signing confidence as you practice the essential skill of fingerspelling. Each practice segment is randomized so that each time you view the DVD it will be different from the last!

Practice Time can be used as a companion to the Signing Time videos or on their own. Created for all ages. Available only on DVD. Close-Captioned. Approximate run time: 30 minutes, plus special features. Practice Time ABCs features the Alphabet Song.

* * *

We ordered this DVD for our 4 year old during the last $10 DVD sale. Addie has been signing since she was 18 months old and has a large sight word vocabulary from watching Signing Time DVDs, where a child is shown a picture, the sign, and the written word. She started reading independently a few months ago, but we are still focusing on individual letters and their sounds for Kindergarten next year.

We've watched it several times and we both really enjoy it. It's fun like all the other Signing Time DVDs, but also slightly more advanced. I love that Rachel signs as she talks--I'm learning new signs just by watching with Addie! The best feature for us is that the practice segments are random--Addie tends to memorize things watching them a couple of times, so this will help me accurately determine whether she knows a sign/letter being shown. It's definitely going to compliment the Signing Time ABCs DVD that her grandparents bought her for her birthday!