If all newborns could come with an instruction book, this would be it.

That’s what Kenneth Kosik of the Neuroscience Research Institute had to say about the book Bright From The Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind from Birth to Age 3 by Dr. Jill Stamm.

Dr. Harvey Karp (Happiest Baby on the Block) calls this book “a gem” and David Perlmutter, M.D. (Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten) says it gives parents “the most leading-edge approach to maximizing your children’s intellectual potential.” We really like this book , too! That’s why, for a limited time only, we are including this important book in our Baby Sign Language Start Kit.

This book is a natural fit with Baby Signing Time. Dr. Stamm explains why:

The evidence is overwhelming that early communication plays a critical role in future academic success and in healthy social-emotional development. There is little doubt that sign language can play a significant role in facilitating the parent-child bond, which is the cornerstone of healthy brain development.

About Bright From the Start
Should I really read to my baby? Is all TV bad, or only some TV? What kind of toys do babies need? Can teaching a baby sign language really boost IQ? Should I pipe classical music into the nursery? Dr. Jill Stamm translates the latest neuroscience findings into clear explanations and practical suggestions, demonstrating the importance of the simple ways you interact with your child every day. Stamm shows parents how to nurture their infant’s brain through ABCs: Attention, Bonding, and Communication. Practical games and tips for each developmental age group will show you not only what the latest findings are. but more importantly, tell you what to do with them.

About the Baby Sign Language Starter Kit
Your little one has a lot to say and with sign language you don’t have to wait for her first word to know what’s on her mind. The Baby Sign Language Starter Kit makes it fun and easy for you and your baby to learn simple signs you can use to communicate before she learns to talk. This family-friendly Baby Sign Language Starter Kit will teach you 24 of the most useful signs that correlate to baby’s “first words.” Original music, darling animation, and Emmy-nominated host Rachel Coleman make this kit a must-have for any family. Baby Sign Language Starter Kit contains:

• Baby Signing Time Volume 1 DVD – approx. 30 minutes long
• Baby Signing Time Volume 1 CD – with eight original songs
• Baby Signing Time Volume 1 Flash Card Set – contains 24 cards with D-ring
• Bright From The Start by Dr. Jill Stamm

View the Baby Sign Language Starter Kit

This “Making a Difference with Signing Time” blog post is an interview with Dr. Emily Jean Davidson, director of the Down Syndrome Program at Children’s Hospital Boston

What types of services does your program provide for children with Down syndrome?

The Down Syndrome Program at Children’s Hospital was started in 1967 with a particular focus on children with Down syndrome from birth to age 3.  The clinic has an interdisciplinary model with each child seen every six months by a team of specialists in speech-language pathology, physical therapy, nutrition, dentistry, audiology, and developmental pediatrics.  In 2009, our program has expanded to follow children with Down syndrome up to age 18.

How did you get connected with Signing Time?

Back row is Dr. Brian Skotko, Clinical Genetics Fellow, left is Dr. Emily Davidson, Director, right is Angela Lombardo, Program Coordinator, Bottom is Ben Majewski, Resource Specialist.

For many years we have encouraged families to begin using sign language as part of a total communication approach. In 2007, we purchased several Signing Time videos for parents to borrow and found that both kids and parents were delighted with them. We noticed that once families actually saw and used a Signing Time video they became more confident to use signs with their children. I can remember one little boy who only had a handful of spoken words telling me a whole story in sign language about being on a boat and being scared.  I asked his mother how she and her son had learned so many signs (over 300) and she told me it was all from the Signing Time videos. We felt that if we could provide one introductory video for each family during infancy, more families would start using signs and more children would benefit.

How many families get these videos each year?

Over one hundred families join our program each year. Our families with young children who receive the videos report back that older siblings pick up the signs quickly and love the DVDs as much as their children with Down syndrome – so this gift is for the whole family!

In what other ways are the videos used?

We include Signing Time DVDs in our lending library and they are EXTREMELY popular also with families whose children are admitted in the hospital.  We have families who are in for longer stays and the children love having the DVDs to watch in their hospital rooms.  We have one family who has been here for a very long extended time period and they have been borrowing 2 or 3 at a time and switching them every so often to keep their son happy and learning more and more during his stay!

How do you raise money for the videos?

In June 2009, our program coordinator, Angela Lombardo, organized “Team Down Syndrome” to walk in the NSTAR Walk for Children’s Hospital Boston.  We use some of the funds to purchase Signing Time videos.

In what other ways has Signing Time supported your program?

Kei Malone, a Signing Time fan and volunteer, donated two Signing Time DVD Collections to our lending library,  so we have videos for the beginner as well as for the more experienced signer.

Thank you, Signing Time, for helping us reach hundreds of families and improve the lives of children with Down syndrome!

Thank YOU for helping us fulfill our mission of helping children of all ages and abilities communicate and connect with the people they love.

FUN FACT:

In 2010, Signing Time partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society and offered a free Signing Time Gift Set to Buddy Walk registrants.  117 registrants took us up on the offer! They each received a Signing Time Gift Set with 3 DVDs and a music CD. The total retail value of the donated products was over $9,000!

It’s Tuesday… here’s your sign of the week!

This Week’s Featured Sign: Car

Watch the Video (Click the Image Below to Play) Free QuickTime Player required

Download the Flashcard (click on the image. The file contains a few color and black-and-white options. Print according to your needs.)

This week’s sign comes from: Baby Signing Time Volume 2 – Here I Go

Created specifically for babies as young as 3 months old up to 3 years, yet fun for the whole family! Features host Rachel Coleman, along with animated Baby Alex, Baby Leah, and Baby Hopkins. Baby Signing Time Volume 2 sets your baby’s day to music as you learn signs for everyday events in baby’s life: getting dressed, traveling, being polite, getting ready for bed, and more.

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It’s Tuesday… here’s your sign of the week!

This Week’s Featured Sign: Mom

Watch the Video (Click the Image Below to Play) Free QuickTime Player required

Download the Flashcard (click on the image. The file contains a few color and black-and-white options. Print according to your needs.)

This week’s sign comes from: Baby Signing Time Vol. 1 – It’s Baby Signing Time

Baby’s first step into signing! The Baby Signing Time Series combines clever songs, animation, and real signing babies – all age two and under – to make signing easy and fun. This is the first DVD in the Baby Signing Time series.

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It’s Tuesday… here’s your sign of the week!

This Week’s Featured Sign: Color

Watch the Video (Click the Image Below to Play) Free QuickTime Player required

Download the Flashcard (click on the image. Print in color or black-and-white and adjust the print size according to your needs.)

This week’s sign comes from: Vol. 6: My Favorite Things – DVD

Alex, Leah, their frog Hopkins, and host Rachel Coleman teach ASL signs for fruits, vegetables, colors of the rainbow, and activities.

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