Product FAQs

Answers to general questions about our Signing Time products:

About the Signing Time product line
Signing Time Series One
Signing Time Series Two
The ways Series Two differs from Series One
Baby Signing Time
Practice Time
Story Time
Sing & Sign
Board Books and Flash Cards

About the Signing Time product line:

Our award-winning Signing Time DVDs will help you and your child learn basic American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary words. Signing Time truly makes learning sign language easy, entertaining and fun for children of all ages. The format of Signing Time includes an adult (Rachel Coleman, co-creator) to model each sign, supported by footage of Alex and Leah (real kids, cousins in real life, Leah is deaf and Alex can hear, and Leah is Rachel's daughter), as well as footage of children and families demonstrating each sign in the proper context. Two to four thematic songs are sprinkled throughout each volume to help bring together all that you've learned.

The recommended ages for Signing Time are ages 1-8, although all ages love it and find it a fun and easy way to learn basic ASL signs. (If we can make it simple enough for small children to learn, older children and adults will learn in a snap!)

Each DVD is approximately 30 minutes long plus approximately 15 minutes of bonus material and special features such as interviews, bloopers, sign variations, and behind-the-scenes segments. All products are close-captioned and also contain English subtitles as an optional backup for captioning.

There are two different series of Signing Time, called Series One and Series Two, that contain 13 volumes each, making 26 total.

Series One is the original 13 Volumes of Signing Time (the series that started it all!) which were released from 2002-2006. Series One contains thirteen American Sign Language vocabulary-building volumes. Each volume teaches approximately 30 signs (with the exception of Volume 1, My First Signs, teaching 18) and exposes viewers to countless other signs through song.

Each volume begins with the Signing Time Theme Song. Rachel Coleman is the adult who then introduces and models each sign correctly and provides a description to assist with remembering the sign. Alex and Leah also introduce the sign being taught through short vignettes in their animated world. Then, you'll see several subsequent clips of real families and children signing the vocabulary word being taught, along with other footage of the object (ie. Horses on a farm for the sign "Horse"). This is the general pattern that is repeated for each sign throughout the show.

There are also original songs (written by co-creator Rachel Coleman) that integrate the signs learned in each segment. For example, in Volume 6: My Favorite Things, the general topics are Colors, Fruits and Vegetables, and Activities like walking, dancing, singing, etc. In the color segment, viewers will learn all the colors in the pattern described above, and then Rachel brings it all together in the "Colors of the Rainbow" song. The section on fruits and vegetables culminates in a song called "5 A Day", and so forth.

Series One contains the following titles:

My First Signs
Playtime Signs
Everyday Signs
Family, Feelings and Fun
ABC Signs
My Favorite Things
Leah's Farm
The Great Outdoors
The Zoo Train
My Day
My Neighborhood
Time to Eat
Welcome to School

Each volume features approximately 30 signs, with the exception of Volume 1 which features 18 signs. Volumes may focus on one topic (such as school, or animals at the zoo), or a combination of a few different categories (as in Volume 6: My Favorite Things, which teaches fruits & vegetables, colors of the rainbow, and physical activities like running, jumping, dancing, etc.) Series One includes the following themes and signs:

Baby's "First Words" like mom, dad, ball, bird, dog, water, sleep, and so forth Play time, sharing, cleaning up Foods, fruits and vegetables, eating, cooking Family members Feelings/Emotions The outdoors and nature Zoo animals, Aquatic animals Farm animals Common insects Physical activities like run, jump, dance, swim, sing, and so forth ABCs and numbers 1-10 School and classroom Clothing, getting dressed Neighborhood themes like playground, police officer, firefighter, library, store, office, and so forth Basic colors

Most of our customers start out by purchasing the entire Series 1 Collection at once for a larger discount. However, each volume is also sold separately, or in pre-packaged sets of three or four volumes. You can also purchase the whole entire Signing Time Library, which includes just about every product we sell, including Series 1 & 2, Baby Signing Time, Practice Time, Board Books, and Flash Cards. Please visit www.signingtime.com/store for more details.

All the music for the Signing Time series is written by Rachel Coleman. Music CDs are also available and generally contain three Volumes' worth of music per CD. CDs are included any time you buy a set of three DVDs and are also included in the entire Series 1 Collection.

Signing Time, Series Two contains an additional thirteen volumes. Series Two is full of more original music and fun that you've come to expect from Series One, and differs from Series One in a few key ways. As opposed to teaching through the same format, Series Two introduces new ways of teaching children with a range of needs and abilities. Most of the content for Series Two was generated from customer suggestions and questions.

Series Two reinforces signs that have been learned in Series One, and builds your ASL vocabulary with many new signs. Brand new learning modules such as "Counting Time" and "ABC Time" are segments within each volume that reinforce either the theme or signs being taught, and provide the opportunity to practice other skills within a signing framework.

Series 2 (the next 13 Volumes released in 2007-2008) contains the following titles:

Nice to Meet You
Happy Birthday To You
Move and Groove
My Favorite Season
Going Outside
Days of the Week
My Favorite Sport
My House
My Things
Helping Out Around the House
:Once Upon a Time
Box of Crayons
Who Has the Frog?

Series Two includes the following viewer-requested themes and signs:

Sports
Birthdays
Household chores
Rooms and furniture found in most houses
Meeting someone new
Question words
Counting and numbers, including ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.)
More colors
Days of the week
Seasons and holidays
ABC and fingerspelling practice
Plural versions of some common signs

Here are some of the ways Series Two differs from Series One:

Key Difference 1: One episode-specific theme song

In Series Two, each episode is built around a single theme and features only one theme-related song (or two songs, in some instances). The format of the new shows is as follows: a few signs are taught, followed by a verse of the song that features those signs; then a few more signs are introduced, followed by the next segment of the song, and so on. With this approach, viewers can master the song and the signs in bite-sized pieces and follow along from scene to scene as other signs are introduced by Alex, Leah and Hopkins.

Key Difference 2: Multiple levels of vocabulary building

In Series Two, there are fewer featured signs (signs that are explicitly taught by Rachel). Throughout various learning segments, you will notice many signs that will likely be picked up after multiple viewings. We refer to these as contextual signs. Though they are not taught explicitly, repetitive exposure allows children to learn them easily. Rather than signing everything that is sung or spoken, Rachel signs key words and phrases intended to make the featured and contextual signs more accessible to our younger viewers, while still challenging them. Additionally, most of the DVDs have more signs in the special feature segments. In the near future, lists of both featured and contextual signs will be available at www.signingtime.com.

Key Difference 3: Learning Modules

Learning Modules are segments within an episode that reinforce either the theme or signs being taught, and provide the opportunity to practice other skills within a signing framework.

There are five categories of Learning Modules: Counting Time, Game Time, ABC Time, Moving/Hopping Time and Story Time. Each module has a theme song, which acts as a cue to the viewer of what activity will be taking place.

Signing Time Series Two is an excellent way to continue to expand and practice your ASL vocabulary. Most customers purchase Series Two after they have mastered Series One. However, all products are sold separately and can be purchased "A la carte" to supplement your Signing Time Library at any time.

For parents with children 3 - 36 months old, we recommend starting out with our Baby Signing Time DVDs (details below), and then working your way up to the Signing Time DVDs. This way your child will learn basic baby signs that will prepare them for learning a larger vocabulary.

Baby Signing Time Series: Product Information

Baby Signing Time is designed specifically for babies 3 - 36 months old. This two-volume series sets your baby's day to music as you learn signs and songs for everyday events in baby's life such as eating, washing hands, sleep time, family members, pets, and more. The format of this program is a combination of original songs, animation, and real signing babies age 2 and under demonstrating each sign.

Baby Signing Time makes signing easy and fun and is a great product to start with if your child is under three years old.

Once you have 'graduated' from the Baby Signing Time series, you can go ahead and move to the standard Signing Time Series 1 product line, starting with Volumes 1-3 and moving on up from there as your child's sign language vocabulary develops. You'll already know many of the signs in Signing Time Volumes 1-3, but you'll have that added reinforcement and NEW songs to learn! (You do not want to miss out on the Silly Pizza Song in Volume 3!). Plus, your child will be introduced to the 'real' Alex and Leah and watch them grow up throughout the Signing Time series.

If you already own the Signing Time series, adding Baby Signing Time to your collection is a good idea if you still have young children in your family. It provides more reinforcement (and new songs) for those beginning signs.

Baby Signing Time also makes an excellent gift for expectant mothers and new babies and is one of our best-selling products.

About the Practice Time Series

The Practice Time Series includes two DVDs (ABCs and 123s) with a unique interactive feature that enables you to practice your ASL skills. Each practice segment is randomized so that each time you view the DVD it will be different from the last. Practice Time can be used as a companion to the Signing Time Series or on their own. Practice Time is great for any age.

About Practice Time 123s

In Practice Time 123s, Rachel teaches you how to count to 20 in American Sign Language. Using clear, simple instruction, Rachel demonstrates each sign, and then sums up all of the letters in the Counting Song. Once you've mastered the numbers 1 to 20, Rachel leads you through a series of interactive counting exercises. Rachel will sign a number and ask you to tell her which object shows the correct number. Not only will you get to practice reading the numbers being signed to you but you get to practice your counting skills.

Next, Rachel will show you a group of objects and asks you to show her the sign for the number of objects you see on the screen. Then she signs the correct answer so you'll know if you got it right. Each practice segment is randomized so that each time you view the DVD it will be different from the last.

About Practice Time ABCs

In Practice Time ABCs, Rachel teaches you the sign for each letter of the ASL manual alphabet. Using clear, simple instruction, Rachel demonstrates each sign, and then sums up all of the letters in the Alphabet Song. Once you've mastered the alphabet, Rachel leads you through a series of interactive finger spelling exercises. Rachel fingerspells dozens of words and you get to practice reading what she's signing. This exercise is an excellent way to reinforce early reading skills with young readers!

Next, Rachel will ask you to sign the words you see on the screen and then show you the correct answer so you'll know if you got it right. This exercise builds your signing confidence as you discover you can accurately sign dozens of words! Each practice segment is randomized so that each time you view the DVD it will be different from the last.

About Story Time

Story Time is like a video storybook! Watch and learn many new signs as Rachel introduces six original stories to you. You'll see the words to the story appear on the screen, with key words highlighted. Rachel will teach and use each key sign as you read and sign along.

About Sing & Sign

Sign & Sign is quite possibly the most-requrested product and we're happy to finally bring it to you. This 90-minute DVD contains 13 of the most popular songs from Signing Time (Series 1) Volumes 1-6. Host Rachel Coleman walks you through each song while teaching the key ASL concepts, enabling you to sign your favorite songs from beginning to end. Sing & Sign has several viewing options that may be selected from the DVD Menu: Learn to Sign each song, Sing & Sign along with Rachel, or just watch the music segments from your favorite Signing Time episodes.

Board Books and Flash Cards

Now you can take your friends Alex, Leah, Hopkins, and Rachel with you wherever you go with these easy-to-use books and flashcards printed to help reinforce beginning ASL reading skills. Signs in each book and flash card set are the same signs taught in the corresponding DVD.

Board Books are printed on sturdy Duplex board with rounded corners and glossy finish. Dimensions: 6 ¼" wide x 8" tall x 5/8" thick. Spot Hopkins throughout each book!

Flash Cards are full-color sturdy 4" x 6" cards with rounded corners. Each set includes a special bonus collector card, signing activity suggestions, and a sturdy plastic D-ring clip to take anywhere!