“There’s singing time and dancing time and laughing time and playing time and now it is our favorite time, signing time!” That’s the opening line to the theme song of Signing Time, Rachel Coleman’s first educational DVD series for kids! Then came the second series with an updated intro, release for PBS television and lots of new topics! Next up was “Together you and I will find, baby signing time. You can share what’s on your mind,” in the intro song to Baby Signing Time. Soon to follow was “Listen to your body, when it’s time to go potty, it’s Potty Time!” from Potty Time!
The newest addition from Rachel’s Two Little Hands Production company includes the line “We love preschool, we love treeschool! Rachel and the TreeSchoolers! YEAH!” I happen to be privy to this release order because I’ve been a huge fan of Rachel since 2002, which is the year she walked onto the educational stage! But if you rearrange them, you can now see that she is providing a learning window for every age group beginning with babies, moving on to those potty training, growing into preschool and early elementary which has pretty much got you covered from birth through age 8 or beyond!
What is Signing Time all about and is it worth the investment? Well, Rachel’s story is amazing. She was pursuing a career in singing when her oldest daughter, Leah, was born profoundly deaf. In an effort to help other children communicate with her, Rachel started teaching sign language informally. She quickly realized there is a huge connection between oral, visual and kinesthetic (hands on) learning. Sign language for kids is like chocolate covered ice crème with a cherry on top! Seriously! It allows them to hear a word, “see” it’s representation through a sign, and involve their hands in making it. Wa-La! You have comprehension, retention and fun all at the same time! Not to mention the huge vocabulary you are developing along the way which is beneficial to deaf and hearing kids alike! As interest grew, she began releasing DVDs. Now try this on for size. As word got around, the obvious consumer was clear, but guess who else was discovering this type of communication and learning was turning a huge key to unlock their world? Parents of special needs kids. From those with physical challenges like spinal bifida to those with speech or language delays, kids who were rendered unable or unwilling to communicate are being reached and “talking”! This is a win-win!
But here’s the best part. Two Little Hands takes this learning to a stratosphere level because they add in songs that use the signs and they print the words on the screen! This means that while your child is watching this DVD, they are being introduced to new word, they are singing a song with the new word, they are seeing the new word written out and they are making the sign of the new word with their hands along with Rachel. That is called an active engaged learning process. I don’t know about you, but that’s exactly the kind of learning opportunity I want for my kiddos! That’s why we own every single DVD that Signing Time has produced as well as those coming up! When Rachel pitched her new preschool series to TV producers, she was told that the show was “too educational.” Instead she turned to her devoted fans through an online kickstarter program. Her goal was to raise $50,000 in one month to produce the next episode. Instead, she raised $219,188 and can produce the next five episodes!! Loyalty runs deep with these followers!
How can you get your “hands on” these amazing productions? Buy them in digital download format or buy real DVDs to have and to hold. Some are still running around on PBS stations and Nick Jr. has nice write-ups on her. iTunes has an app you can purchase as well. Signing may never have been something you considered or think you need now. But I’m sure you know parents, grandparents, families or schools who could benefit from this type of edutainment. Psst. Pass the word. It’s Signing Time!
Ever given American Sign Language a second thought? What’s your favorite educational DVD series?