My baby looks quizzically at me, "Babagagadadamama...da."
Yes, well, fascinating. Perhaps you want a hug? or this toy?
More emphatically, "BABAGAGAdadamama....da."
You make a good point kiddo, unfortunately I do not know what it is. Are
you wet? You just ate, so you aren't hungry.
Now she is starting to get frustrated: "BABAGAGA WAHHH WAHHH."
What does she want? Wouldn't it be great if she could just tell me? This
exactly the sort of scenario that creates the market for baby signing DVDs.
These companies want parents to know that baby can communicate through sign
language before he or she is ready for complex speech.
And what do you know? They are right! I've personally seen dozens of babies,
just a month or two older than mine, signing to express themselves. Having seen
baby signs in action, my next question was whether or not teaching my baby to
sign would benefit our family.
According to the latest research signing seems to actually accelerate and
enhance speaking and learning! Not only that, but signing has been known to
head off toddler tantrums. Because your tot can tell you what he wants, he
doesn't need to throw a fit. That alone is worth it.
Not having any prior signing experience, I wanted a DVD to supplement our
learning. We tested all of the likely contenders: Baby Signing Time, Baby
Einstein - My First Signs, My Baby Can Talk - First Signs, Baby See N Sign Vol
1.
Overall, I was impressed by the quality of these videos. My baby was
mesmerized by all of these, except Baby See N Sign. Our favorite was Baby
Signing Time.
Baby Signing Time
Baby's reaction: giggling, waving, attempting to clap and comically
missing the other hand, smiling and laughing when I make the signs.
My reaction: To be upfront, Rachel Coleman is perkier than Daddy's
coffee, but babies seem to like that stuff. Her signing is the clearest of any
of the video hosts we watched and she uses a special technique, wrapping her
fingers in colored tape, to make them even clearer.
I like that the vast majority of the video is adults, children, and babies
interacting. There are also cartoon shorts sprinkled throughout. In thematic
sections, signs are introduced, demonstrated, illustrated, repeated, and then
eventually combined.
Coleman's original songs give this video an edge--the perfect audio and
visual learning experience for parents and babies who are signing beginners.
And, if you enjoy Baby Signing Time 1, there is a volume 2, an entire series
for children, and plenty of other written materials, CDs, and more.
Coleman's story is incredibly compelling; I recommend visiting the website
even just to read about her and her family! Signing Time is so confident in
their product, they offer free sample clips on their website. Their website is
also a great resource with forums, crafts, and activity guides.
Just the Facts:
Signs include: Eat, Drink, Cracker, Water, Cereal, Milk, Banana, Juice,
Finished, Mom, Grandma, Dad, Grandpa, Diaper, Potty, More, Bird, Fish, Cat,
Dog, Horse, Frog, Hurt, Where, Baby
Bonus materials include: information and tips on teaching your baby to sign,
a sneak preview of Vol. 2, and Rachel signing the theme song
Run time: 30 minutes + special features
Baby Einstein - My First Signs
Baby's Reaction: staring, and more staring
My reaction: I prefer My First Signs over other Baby Einstein
selections. The video still has the puppets, including an adorable family of
cat-like creatures, but far fewer segments focused on the toys. The hostess is
the accomplished actress, Marlee Matlin, and she is warm and pleasant in this
video. Baby Einstein seems to have learned from the critiques of its Language
Nursery--First Signs teaches actual signs connected with corresponding images,
rather than providing a random, impressionistic introduction.
There are lots of smiling babies and adults interacting and some artwork. As
with all of the videos I reviewed, adults, toddlers, and older kids demonstrate
the signs. Overall, this is a fine introduction to signing with baby.
Just the Facts:
Signs include: Baby, Daddy, Mommy, Kiss, I Love You, Milk, Cereal, Eat,
More, Play, Help, Friend, Ball, I Love You, Stop, Go, Sleep, Bath, Story,
Blanket, Please, Thank You
Bonus material includes: Discovery Cards (Opposites: Movie Flashcards): Boy,
Girl, Happy, Sad, Clean, Dirty, Up, Down, Hot, Cold, In, Out; Sign With Me
(Flash Cards): Signs in the DVD; Signing with Baby (Basic Signs): Yes, No,
Good, Bad, Water, Want, Share, Potty, Hurt, Sorry, Hug, Love; Puppet Shows; Toy
Chest
Run Time: 27 minutes + special features Baby Einstein
My Baby Can Talk - First Signs
Baby's reaction: Stared for a while, then eventually got distracted
My reaction: A decent, if somewhat uneven video. As with most of the
videos, there are lots of nice images and smiling babies and kids.
Although the video says it is for 10-36 months in the tutorial, I think this
video is aimed older than the others I viewed. As fun as it is to learn the
sign for giraffe, I think most babies are more interested in milk.
Toddlers and pre-schoolers may also appreciate that a young child combines
signs and explains when you use the signs ("please helps you get
cereal"). Another feature describes how to form the sign: "like
smelling a flower."
There are some fun mini-skits and rhymes ("Socks that are little, socks
that are big, socks on a bear, socks on a pig"). True, the
"raps" do not have the highest production values, but a baby won't
care. The video also has some fascinating information for adults about sign
language, such as how the signs were created.
Just the Facts:
Signs include: Monkey, Cereal, Please, Thank You, Flower, Hat, Baby, Ball,
Boat, Share, Giraffe, Apple, Help, Mommy, Socks, Balloon, Bath, Airplane,
Cracker, Lion, Shirt, Tree, Daddy, Elephant, Diaper, Train, Sleep, All Done
Run time: 45 minutes including parent tutorial
Candace L. holds a Master's Degree in Education from
Harvard. As former teacher, part-time
writer, and full time mom, she enjoys sharing new experiences with her baby and
with a wider audience. Visit Mamanista!
(www.Mamanista.com) for more recommendations for fabulously chic,
irresistibly practical items for baby and to subscribe to the newsletter.
tweet this!