Customer Reviews

Signing Time! Volume 2: Playtime Signs DVD

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought Playtime Signs for my 2 year old for her birthday. She is speech delayed and I thought it might help her feel less frustrated to get some more "words" in her vocabulary. The first time we watched it, she didn't want to try any of the signs. Frankly, she seemed kind of scared of the whole idea. But her big sister's enthusiasm was contageous. Soon, my 2 year-old wanted to try some signs too. Now she's actually starting to copy the signs from the video. I would suggest having an adult or older sibling watch the video with smaller children and emulate the signs for them.

The production quality is very simple, but outstanding. The pace is not obnoxiously fast or insulting to my child's intelligence -- something that seems hard to find in kids' videos these days. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this video to anyone.

My only complaint is that I think the videos are a little expensive, considering it's only a 20 minute program. I don't know if I'd buy another one before looking at the local library first.

The signs on volume 2 include: train, book, read, friend, play, my turn, your turn, please, thank you, socks, yes, no, thirsty, drink, dirty, clean, potty, wash hands, bath, hurt, sorry, stop, go, wait, grandma, grandpa.

I purchased volumes 1-3 of the Signing Time video series a few weeks ago. While volume 1 ("My First Signs" - with 18 signs) is very good, volumes 2 ("Playtime Signs" - with 30 signs) and 3 ("Everyday Signs" - with 29 signs) are even better. The biggest improvement is that the two newer videos include many catchy, original songs to help viewers learn the signs. Another change is that signs are presented in groups (e.g., hot & cold, friend & play, etc) rather than individually. The other changes I noticed are: better filming, less repetition of each sign (this is probably how they managed to squeeze more signs into the newer videos) and the addition of a new "extra feature" called "Putting it Together". This is a segment where Rachel (co-creator of the series) gives helpful hints about using ASL (American Sign Language). I really like this segment, but it's much too short. Finally, the last change I noticed is that Rachel appears much more at ease in the new videos.

The videos didn't come with a parent's guide, but I found helpful information on the signingtime.com website. The website also includes information on the benefits of teaching your child sign language and sample clips from each of the vidoes (which is what sold me on buying these).

For those who aren't familiar with this series:
The "Signing Time" videos are targeted to young hearing children (0-5 years), though they are a wonderfully non-threatening way for persons of any age to learn sign language. You don't need to already know ASL in order to help your child learn the signs in the videos - but you should be prepared to learn the signs so you can incorporate them into your daily routine. The videos are quite thorough - with each sign being demonstrated a couple of times by Rachel, and then several more times by a variety of children. The narration on the videos is done primarily by young children. The signs are linked well with the objects, emotions, etc., that they represent. The children in the videos are "real" - demonstrating the signs in their own imperfect ways, according to their abilities - much the same as when children learn to speak with their voices. There is cute animation and background music with sound effects that make the videos fun to watch.

Each of these cd/video tapes are wonderful.
I particularly like the second and third one because there is more singing on them. HOwever, even the first one is excellent.

My son, at age 4 decided to learn sign language after seeing someone use it. So we bought these tapes to teach everyone in the family. It wasn't long before we have been able to put together words to make sentences (in a rough fashion).

They are easy to watch over and over again. I'm not tired of them yet. They are fun. The format makes learning the sign and practicing it very easy.

Wonderful.
ENjoy.

The dvd is very easy to learn but its is one of the oldest dvds so it is a lot different than the ones my daughter is use to. It is a lot slower, not as many songs, and it doesn't catch my daughters attention as easily as the others. It does have some good signs in the dvd that really come in handy but I'm hoping signing time comes out with a new dvd that has these signs in it.

I started using Signing Time videos in March, 2004, when my almost 2 year old son's speech started to regress. In September, 2004, he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, which is on the autism spectrum. He is receiving Early Intervention services for speech delay and his therapists and I use signing with him every day. Because of these tapes, my son has found his voice - through his hands...and he now has a 75 word vocabulary...60 of which he is able to sign ALL BECAUSE OF SIGNING TIME. As a mother, I can't tell you enough how happy I am to finally be hearing "mama"....and he's teaching our 14 month old sign too! These tapes are amazing - use them and watch your children speak volumes to you!

This series is a wonderful, door-opening experience for children. Signing Times is easy-to-learn, fun, and real. The educational experience alone is worth the cost let alone the communication doors it opens with parents, grendparents, or other interested, engaged adults.

The topic word is shown on the screen, spoken, signed by an adult and also by other children. Often the word is then used in a sentence or a song. This reinforces the word itself, its meaning and its sign. Repetition is the key without being boring or obnoxious. Signing Times does a great job with both.

This volume was important becuase it introduced me: "Grampa". The sign for "Grampa" looks a little like a moose antler but it still melts my heart when our two-year-old grandaughter signs it.

This is another solid installment in a remarkable series. Can't wait until we get to ice cream and fishing.

"Bee-Paw"

Great Video. This DVD helps children learn ASL in a unique way. I have nine children ages 8-17 and they all love the video. I bought the DVD's to help an nonspeaking autistic child to communicate. I did not expect that my older children would love it.

For those of you considering purchase, it should say something that all the 23 reviews but one have received five stars, and that other one was four stars.

This is an outstanding series. My two and a half year old son enjoys signing, and I want him to be able to teach his 4 month old sister to sign when she's ready. Check out their website, as they have two NEW VIDEOS specifically for babies. The first six are geared more for 12-36 months, I'd say.

Each film is very engaging and engrossing. My son signs along with all the words and songs, and he uses them frequently. Though he speaks a lot, he signs while he speaks, the same way people use their hands when they speak; he's just signing. My mother-in-law teaches sign and grew up with deaf parents. It is a priority for us that our children know ASL, and she signs with our son all the time. She purchased this series for us, and our son watches one or two everyday, at his request. He loves them. We have purchased several other signing videos, and they are all well intentioned, but this series is by far the best of any we've seen.

When children can communicate with you clearly, they throw less fits, they feel empowered, and their communication skills soar. Very much worth it!! Even though my son speaks, sometimes he cannot articulate -- but he can sign it and we know exactly what he's trying to say instantly.

The music is wonderful and very catchy. My wife and I find ourselves humming these songs all the time! I don't know the history of Rachel or her husband, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if they are musically trained or have a strong history in writing or performing music.

If you are looking for a series to teach your children to sign, you've found it! It's worth it to buy all six DVD's; you'll want to use them frequently. If you have to, break out the credit card and just do it! It's worth it!

We bought volumes 1-3 when my son was 8 months old. The videos have always held his attention and the whole family began learning the signs. Now he is 20 months old. I recently bought volumes 4-6 and his sign language vocabulary has EXPLODED! It is amazing to watch him communicate through sign. He is able to communicate wants and ideas that other babies his age cannot. He uses signs instead of tantrums. When he does get frustrated all I have to say is "tell Mommy what you want" and he remembers to sign. Tantrum OVER! We have not used any other methods to teach him, but are now looking for additional resources to supplement the videos. He has learned almost all the signs from them and is eager to communicate more. I just wish there were more volumes of Signing Time!

In response to another review which complained that the videos did not show the signs in context or when to use them, the point of the videos is to help you learn the signs and then it is up to you to consistently use them in the propper context with your child. My son has never had a problem knowing when to use the signs, or forgetting the signs after he sees them. In fact, he will often sign words, in the propper context, which I have never practiced with him. He sees them on the videos and applies them himself. The other day we were looking through a book and I pointed to a little boy and said "boy." My baby signed boy and I had never practiced this sign with him. He has done this many times with other words as well.

I recommend these videos to EVERYONE I know who has children, grandchildren, neices, nephews or students. I have a friend who uses them in her preschool. I give them as gifts to expectant mothers. This is one of the best gifts we could have given our son. The gift of communication.

These videos are worth every penny that I spent. My grandchildren are now enjoying the first 3 volumes of Signing Time! The videos are geared towards young children but are also great for older kids and adults. The adults in my family are having fun learning signs also. The kids love to use their signs in everyday play. They can also use their signs to communicate in places where "quiet voices" are required. My grandaughter loves to use her signs in the grocery store. People are always amazed and ask about her age and how she learned sign language. We tell them about these videos.
The videos are not just for the hearing impaired. Everyone can benefit from them.
I plan to order the next 3 volumes soon.