Customer Reviews

Sign and ABCs [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sign and ABCs has been given a four star review by the Chicago Tribune - the most stars they give, and a national kids' magazine has named it as one of the two best videos of 1998, and it certainly deserves the acclaim. Not only does it teach the Sign alphabet and Signs for 88 words, but it encourages practicing finger spelling - an integral part of Sign language. It also has two new sign songs - one of which is the Alphabet Song. (A sign song is a song that has the lyrics Signed along to. The same producer has a wonderful video - Sign Songs, also sold by Amazon - featuring an actor from the National Theatre of the Deaf Signing along to the lyrics of eleven kids' songs.) And there are some Sign games at the end to help in learning the Sign alphabet and how to fingerspell. It features two very talented deaf performers - Antoinette Abbamonte and John Kinstler. This is an incredible video for people learning Sign, or for kids learning the alphabet.

While it does cover finger spelling and it does introduce new signs, the black background, strange songs and skits, abrupt way it shows children making a sign, and some dark scenes such as a witch making a brew makes this video convey a negative feeling about sign language, in my opinion. My son seemed scared by some parts, and my husband walked in the room and said, "this one is really weird" since the first song only adults could figure out. I prefer the more upbeat, positive and easier sign langauge videos that make my child smile throughout such as the Say, Sing and Sign series and Sign Me a Story.

After buying Sign Songs, I was eager to buy more videos produced by the same company. So eager, as a matter of fact, that when Amazon informed me they were unable to get Sign and ABC, I logged onto the company's website and ordered it directly from them (ten dollars more expensive than with Amazon).

I can definately see where someone would think this video is creepy or strange. The main song was meant to sound like a folk song, but didn't quite come off right, and the sound quality is poor.

A few of the children signing don't smile at all, either glaring at the camera or looking very apathetic. It's not fun to watch at all.

I teach sign language and this tape is great for the younger generation. I recommend it highly.

I am teaching my 2 yr old son to sign. He knew about 30 signs before seeing this video and he is learning most of the signs presented on this video. He loves to watch it and asks for it everyday - unlike any other video we own. He is now learning to sign letters and has learned to say the alphabet correctly after viewing this video. The video presents the letters of the alphabet in written form (upper & lower case) and sign. Each sign is shown multiple times by both adults and children. Yes, some of the children do not smile ... do not know why that is, perhaps they are scared of the camera or concentrating, but that has not affected my son's enjoyment of the video.

In my opinion, This is an excellent tape if you are interested in learning the basics along with your child. The viewer is taught finger spelling,some numbers,as well as some words. great for the family.

In it's lively depictions of many word signs for each letter this video presents an impressive vocabulary. Clear presentations of the written (upper and lower case,) spoken and signed alphabet are added benefits to this generally entertaining learning video. It moves along at a comfortable pace for repeated viewings. The actors are engaging and this is one of few signing videos my 1-8 year old children watch repeatedly.

Sign and ABCs is an enteratining video for anyone learning the alphabet. And with all the benefits for hearing kids who learn Sign, it's great to teach kids the written, spoken, and Sign alphabets together.

John Kinstler and Antoinette Abbamonte, who are featured in the video, are very talented, and the video has a nice sense of humor.

This video is one of our kids' favorites. Our family is trying to learn sign language, and we were amazed at how quickly this video got us on our way. And we're especially amazed that our 2 and 4 year old correct mom and dad's signs after watching this! Antoinette Abbamonte has incredible energy and the kids love her skits throughout the video and ABC song. Having young children doing many of the signs also kept our little ones interested.