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

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – November 18, 2010 – When the concept of using sign language with hearing babies was first introduced to the American public, critics dismissed it as a “parlor trick.” Since that time, infant signing has become an accepted parenting practice and has been integrated into early childhood education programs. In the recently-released second edition of “Heading Home with your Newborn: From Birth to Reality,” published by the American Academy of Pediatrics*, authors Laura Jana, MD, FAAP and Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP comment on this phenomenon:

“Infant sign language really does deliver on its promise of improved communication…It’s easy to see why so many parents swear by it, and why childcare centers include it in their infant and toddler classrooms, and why it has become so commonplace as an activity of daily learning.” pp. 173-174

The popularity of baby sign language is no surprise. Parents who sign with their babies before they learn to talk see the immediate benefit: reduced frustration. Signing helps them know what their babies want, allowing them to respond to their needs quickly. It cuts down on the guesswork that is common to parenting a preverbal infant.

“Their hands give them a clear and powerful ‘voice’ – quite a contrast to the whining and pointing traditionally associated with toddlerhood,” said Rachel Coleman, co-creator and host of the popular series Baby Signing Time. “The truth is, that using ASL signs with hearing babies is revolutionizing early learning and parenting in America.” Continue Reading »

Two Little Hands Productions is inviting you to participate in an international research project from Michigan State University. Please take a few minutes to read this letter from the research team below to see if you qualify to take the survey.

Dear Parents,

We are researchers in Child Development from several universities around the world. We are conducting a cross-cultural study on parents’ experiences using infant signs – a form of simple sign language used with normally hearing children before they can talk. From this study, we will learn valuable information about cross-cultural similarities and differences in parenting and child development. It will take about 15 to 30 minutes for you to complete the survey. After completing it, you will be entered into a drawing where you can win a $50 gift card to your choice of online stores (you will have at least a 1 in 100 chance of winning).

We are looking for parents who are at least 18 years old, who have a child who is 8 years or younger, and who use signs or are considering using signs with their child. If you meet these criteria and would like to take the online survey, please click the link here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CCEIS_SigningTime

Thank you very much for your help!

Sincerely,

Claire Vallotton, PhD, Study Director, Michigan State University, U.S.
Kalli Decker, MA, Study Coordinator, Michigan State University Deckerk5@msu.edu
Mechthild Kiegelmann, PhD, University of Tuebingen, Germany
Chamarrita Farkas, PhD©, Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
Kimberly Hughes Wilhelm, PhD, University of Macau, China
Liz Kirk, PhD, University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Chang Su, Research Assistant, Michigan State University

Two Little Hands Productions – creators of the popular Signing Time series – and Vegas PBS are excited to announce the return of the educational, inspiring, one-of-a-kind children’s series “Signing Time!” The series uses a whole-body approach to learning that keeps young children actively engaged through music, play, song and American Sign Language. Emmy-nominated host Rachel Coleman steals the show as she draws children in to a world of learning!

Twenty-six re-mastered episodes are now available to public television stations to air. The series is being distributed by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) and is presented by Vegas PBS.

Continue Reading »

Got Videos? We Want You!

We’re working on an amazing new way to get the word out to everyone about Baby Signing Time, and we want to feature real stories from real families, like YOURS!

IF YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE AND WANT TO BE FILMED, READ ON!

We have selected three geographic locations to film families and toddlers that have amazing stories! We’ve selected:

1. Southern California – L.A. Area
2. Utah – Salt Lake City Area
3. Texas – Houston Area

Requirements

1. Email babyvideos@signingtime.com with the following information.
   • In the SUBJECT line, type your name, city, and state
   • In the BODY of the email, include the following:
   • Your name, city, state, telephone number, and email address
   • Your child’s (or children’s) name(s) and age(s)
   • How long your family has been using Baby Signing Time programs
   • The approximate number of words your 0-3-year-old signs
   • Tell us if you have video footage of your 0-3-year-old signing. If so, tell us a bit about what you have recorded.
   • Share with us your experience with Baby Signing Time
   • Attach a family picture so we can put a face with your story.
2. You have an amazing story and passion about Baby Signing Time.
3. Are able to travel to one of the three locations listed above.
4. You have video of your toddler signing or are willing to have us capture video of your toddler. (If they are older now and you don’t have video within the age limits, then it isn’t as useful. We need video of toddlers that are signing!)

Continue Reading »