Books that Enhance

One of the great things about using ASL (American Sign Language) as the basis for signing with children is the wealth of "extra" books that you can use.  Since it is a real, full language there are new books constantly being made and many great ones already published.

The Baby Signing Time, Signing Time and Potty Time Board Books are currently hard to get your hands on in Japan.  However, I can take orders for them.  The other books can be purchased via Amazon.co.jp

The main books that we use in the baby class are, of course, the Baby Signing Time Board Books!

1. Time To Eat! 

2. Good Night, Alex and Leah 

3. What Do You See Outside? 

4. Will You Be My Friend?

Potty Time Board Book: Hopkins Uses the Potty

Signing Time Board Books - These coordinate with the first 6 volumes of the Signing Time Series 1 DVDs & Flashcards

1 My First Signs

2 Playtime Signs

3 Everyday Signs

4 Family, Feelings & Fun

5 ABC Signs

6 My Favorite Things

Below are some of the other books that we have used in class.  These are not from Signing Time but are based on ASL, the same as Signing Time.

Words by The Handful - a box set of small board books great for babies & toddlers  (see blog post)

Sign and Sing Along Series - Illustrated by Annie Kubler -  Popular English Children's songs illustrated with ASL signs.  Please note that there is also a BSL version (British Sign Langauge).
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Incey Wincey Spider 
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

Sign About Series -Illustrated by Anthony Lewis -  Like little board book picture dictionaries.  Great for expanding vocabulary beyond what we cover in class.  Please note that there is also a BSL version (British Sign Langauge).
Getting Ready
Going Out
Play Time
Meal Time

Potty Training Corner & Books

Today we had the first Potty Time Workshop and I think it went rather well.  It was an interesting time of sharing ideas and stories.  One thing we talked about today is how to set up the potty area so all the things you need are within arm's reach.  Here is our little set-up:

The top pocket is where we keep the books to read while waiting.  There is also a pack of flushable wipes.  The second pocket has clean diapers and on the bottom liners for cloth diapers hang next to the paper towel for cleaning up accidents.

Here are some of our favorite books to haev on hand while potty training:

A Potty for Me!: A Lift-the-Flap Instruction Manual by Karen Katz
ISBN-13: 978-0689874239

Too Big for Diapers (Sesame Street)
ISBN-13: 978-0375810459

Potty by Leslie Patricelli
ISBN-13: 978-0763644765

Hopkins Uses the Potty
ISBN-13: 9781936859115

Ready For Potty Time?

A while back I posted about how we used (and you can use!) signs to help with potty training here.  Since that time Two Little Hands, the company which makes Signing Time, has created a wonderful new resource called Potty Time.

We are love, love, loving Potty Time!

Potty Time preview from Signing Time on Vimeo.

Mega, who is 19 months old, has been using the potty inconsistently for a while so the release of the potty time products is perfect timing for her.  Zilla, the 4 yr. old big brother, also loves the music and happily sings/signs along when the video is on.
The kid's favorite song by far is "Let's Celebrate".  The words are general enough to be used for most any celebration and with the upbeat music it is perfect for a kitchen dance party to burn some of their extra energy!

 Another great feature is the free Potty Time App.  It includes a success chart, game, book and other useful features.  Here the kids are playing the memory game.

 Now they are "reading" the book about Hopkins using the potty.

Mega enjoys the Potty Time watch, which plays music to remind her it is time to use the potty.  

While there are many "add-ons" you can choose to buy in the Potty Time series there are also many freebies, making it an economical option for everyone.  Check out the  PT Blog too as the PT experts are doing a great job of collecting information and resources to address nearly every potty training situation!

手話で遊ぼう！Play Group - Silly Pizza!

Favorite Foods - Silly Pizza Song

What better way to learn a lot of food signs at one time than with a fun song.  Ok, make that 2 fun songs and you learn twice the signs!

Did you know there are actually 2 Silly Pizza Songs in Signing Time videos?  The first one is in Signing Time Series 1 DVD 3 Everyday Signs and the 2nd is in Series 1 DVD 12 Time To Eat.  We had a lot of fun learning both songs and trying to sing and sign along!

If you want to know even more food signs take a look at an ASL online dictionary such as Signing Savvy or ask your teacher at the next Baby Signing Time Class! 

At home we use the book Meal Time by Anthony Lewis from the Sign About series which includes some additional food and meal time signs.

Here is a clip of Rachel, Hopkins and a special guest singing and signing the Silly Pizza Song live!

If you want to buy the CD or DVD with the Silly Pizza Song please let me know and I can add it to the next order!  Or, if you want to watch it right away you can purchase it through the Signing Time On Demand Digital Player.

Hopkins New Ride

Our Hopkins has a new ride!

ホプキンスはベビー・サイニング・タイムとサイニング・タイムのカエルです。ここで買うことはできます。

Hopkins is the frog in the Signing Time and Baby Signing Time videos.  You can get your very own plush Hopkins here!

Newest Signer

I'd like to introducce you to the newest little signer in our family.

 She's not yet three months old but she already gets all smiley when she hears the Signing Time songs.

Hopkins is just the right size for baby hugs!

Big brother is sure that his little sister's hand movements are baby signs that we just haven't learned yet!

Hopkins Fan

Have you seen these in the Signing Time Academy store?

Now you can get your very own Hopkins shirt and plush toy!

Box Of Crayons クレヨンの箱

Today the Signing Time video of choice was from Series 2, Vol. 12 "Box of Crayons".
At 2.5 years old my son is learning so many things - and so quickly! He is really enjoying not only learning the color signs but also the "new" (to him) format of the Series 2 DVDs with "Counting Time", "Story Time" etc.
As you can see, even Hopkins was able to join in the signing fun!
My son also got out his crayons to help "teach" Hopkins the color signs!

By now you may be wondering how the "Box of Crayons" song goes... take a look at this clip from the Signing Time Youtube page:

You can purchase both the "Box of Crayons" DVD and the Hopkins doll at http://www.signingtimeacademy.com/heidi

If you live in Japan and want a copy please e-mail me directly as we can save on shipping costs by combining orders. You can find my e-mail address in the left-hand column of the blog.

Hopkins Deluxe Playtime Kit

The Signing Time Academy has a special limited time offer on a U-Play mat, flashcard and Signing Time products set in their store. When I saw it I instantly had so many ideas about how we could use it! Here is a post on my other blog about some ways to use the mat.

I'm really excited about the possibilies for using the mat with the Signing Time and Baby Signing Time flashcards.

The cards pictured here are from the U-Play company set but you can get the idea...

One thing I've noticed in the Baby Signing Time classes that I teach is that the babies love the flashcards - sometimes a little too much! I can see the teacher sitting in middle with the moms and babies on the outside. The clear pockets could help protect the cards from too much baby love as well as prevent the cards of disappearing during the lesson. :-)

One possibility would be to match objects to the cards while teaching the sign for each object. Another would be matching the "Rachel" signing side of the card to the picture side. Oh, and when it is time to sing a song like "Pet's I Love" having the cards in order in the pockets would make it easy to point at which sign is coming next!

As you can see I'm excited about the U-Play mat and especially think that the Signing Time Hopkins Deluxe Playtime Kit is a great deal for use at home as well as in class!

Olympic Sale!

In honor of the Olympics you can get some real deals at the Signing Time Academy Store!

FREE Plush HOPKINS ON ANY ORDER OVER $50!!
Join in the Olympic spirit and save!

Bronze: save 5% when you order $50 - $99.99
Silver: save 10% when you order $100 - $199.99
GOLD: save 15% when you order $200+
One free plush Hopkins on any order over $50!

You must add Hopkins to your cart to receive this special.

This special applies to purchases made today through the end of the Winter Olympics (Feb. 28, 2010).