Guest blog by Signing Time star Alex Brown, son of Signing Time co-creator, Emilie Brown

One time, when I was on the trampoline, my mother came out to check on me. I was practicing my front flips. She had walked out of the door right as I had over-rotated and smacked my face on the bar around the trampoline. I had just started to cry when I saw my mother right beside me. She was calling to my dad to get the car and take me to the ER. My mother was next to me the whole car ride, comforting me.

When we got there, we had to wait a couple of hours before we could get a plastic surgeon. The whole time, no matter how tedious it was to wait, she was with me making the pain go away. I was glad to have her there. Then she was up half the night with me when I got stitches. I had bitten through my lip. She has always been there for me to comfort me.

Whenever she can help me out, she seizes the opportunity. Not only does she help me, but she goes the extra mile. When I ask for a glass of water, she takes the time to turn on the water, makes sure it tastes good, walks across the kitchen to the freezer and puts ice in it. When I ask for help on my homework, she helps me and then explains it to me. When I ask for a scrambled egg, she makes me a gourmet omelet with sourdough bread and bacon. My mother is the best.

Alex and Emilie were recently interviewed together for the 10-year anniversary of Signing Time.

Watch the video here.
(scroll down to Day 4)

We celebrated Earth Day by making our popular lyric pages more earth-friendly. That means the next time you want to print the words to your favorite Signing Time song, you have the option of downloading the black-and-white edition, or a color edition. Whichever you choose, you will cut down on the amount of ink you’ll need for printing.

We have song lyrics for:

• Signing Time Series 1 Songs (updated)
• Signing Time Series 2 Songs (new)
• Baby Signing Time Songs

Download them now!

The Baby Signing Time “Sign & Read” Collection is now available exclusively at www.babysigningtime.com!

• What’s new in this collection?
• Why did you make the new collection?
• Can I order the board books separately?
• Can I order the collection by phone?
• Can I order it on the Signing Time website?

What’s new in this collection?
In addition to the Baby Signing Time Music CDs and Flash Card Sets, we’ve included:

• New Board Books
  Baby Alex, Baby Leah, and Baby Hopkins invite your baby to learn new signs in fun ways in these full-color board books. Each book also includes a sign guide for parents.
• New Parent Guide
  This guide to early learning will teach you how to bond with your baby and enhance early learning through talking, signing and reading together. Includes a Sign Glossary of all the signs taught in Volumes 1-4.
• Enhanced DVDs
  We’ve added new footage of the printed words with Rachel’s fingers running under them as each one is spoken to show babies that printed words have meaning. It’s part of the “see it, sign it, say it” approach to early learning.

Why did you make the new collection?
We asked Emilie Brown, co-creator of Signing Time and Baby Signing Time, to answer: “Parents are their child’s first teachers, so we made sure this Baby Signing Time collection included a parent guide to early learning. Every parent-child interaction can strengthen the relationship and feed a child’s growing mind. Reading together is an especially powerful way to connect and learn. That’s why we insisted on board books being included in the new collection. We’ve added new footage to the DVDs to highlight printed words. Our goal isn’t to get babies to read, but to experience how language works: a word can be spoken, signed, or printed, and they all share the same underlying meaning. This idea may seem simple to adults, but for young children, it’s a profound discovery.”

Can I order the board books separately?
The board books are only available with the collection. If you already have the Baby Signing Time products and want to get the board books, we suggest that you consider purchasing the new collection and giving the items you already have as gifts.

Can I order the collection by phone?
Yes! Call or Skype (855) 589-7800 Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. MST

Can I order it on the Signing Time website?
Right now, the new collection is only available at www.babysigningtime.com.

Two Little Hands Productions, creators of the award-winning Signing Time series, released a new collection of Baby Signing Time products. The “Sign & Read” Collection, which includes a new parent guide, a set of new board books, updated DVDs, and flash cards, places an emphasis on early learning through parent-child interaction.

“Parents are their child’s first teachers, so we made sure this Baby Signing Time collection included a parent guide to early learning,” says Emilie Brown, co-creator of Signing Time and Baby Signing Time. “Every parent-child interaction can strengthen the relationship and feed a child’s growing mind. Reading together is an especially powerful way to connect and learn. That’s why we insisted on board books being included in the new collection. We’ve added new footage to the DVDs to highlight printed words.” Brown adds, “Our goal isn’t to get babies to read, but to experience how language works: a word can be spoken, signed, or printed, and they all share the same underlying meaning. This idea may seem simple to adults, but for young children, it’s a profound discovery.”

Click here for a preview of the commercial

The launch of the new collection is being supported by a national media campaign, which includes a 30-minute infomercial and radio ads. In addition, Signing Time Academy Instructors across North American and in many countries throughout the world have begun offering “Sign & Read” play classes to help parents nurture their child’s language, cognitive and social-emotional development through three key areas of communication: talking, reading and signing. Meet your local Signing Time Academy Instructor and sign up for a class today!

“We already know that signing allows hearing babies to communicate before they learn to talk – which goes a long way toward reducing frustration,” says Gwen Cox, Signing Time Academy Director. “Babies who can sign feel understood and secure – and happy babies are able to focus on learning. Our goal is to show parents how simple interactions like reading, signing or talking can add fun to their day, boost their child’s self-esteem, and nurture their child’s love of learning as well.”

It’s Tuesday, and in honor of Mother’s Day, 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. Print in color or black-and-white and adjust the print size according to your needs.)

Signing Time Volume 1 – My First Signs

The very first DVD in the Signing Time Series! From their magical animated treehouse, Alex (age 3), his cousin Leah (age 4) who is deaf, and host Rachel Coleman (Leah’s mom) teach beginning American Sign Language (ASL) signs with your child in a fun and playful way.

One review from teechrmom7 reads: Volume 1 is still a favorite in my classroom even after the kids have seen it dozens of times. One student with Down Syndrome has been watching it for over 4 years and always picks this one when he gets to choose. My students love to sign and sing along with Rachel, Alex and Leah.