DVD Picks: We Sign
| Whether you're fully convinced of the educational benefits of this
series for your child, or not, one thing's an absolute, the We Sign
video series is one of the most novel kid'a products in years.
Produced by Production Associates, the We Sign series, dubbed "America's number one selling interactive videos series featuring American Sign Language for children, families and teachers." But while ASL is the fourth most common language in the United States, this series isn't for that minority. Instead, We Sign is targeted towards all children, especially the hearing. But why in the world would a parent or educator choose such an unusual video, for those not mute or hearing impaired? We Sign encourages active participation and play, while benefiting the child's learning and development. Series director Michael Cash commented that, "By combining easy-to-learn signs from ASL... with a variety of children's songs, the We Sign series provides physical, visual, verbal, musical, inter- and intrapersonal learning for even the youngest of viewers. Studies show toddlers and preschoolers who have learned to sign show significant gains in vocabulary and language skills, increased memory retention and IQ scores, and develop a real enthusiasm for learning." On June 15, two titles will be released by Production Associates— We Sign: Play Time and We Sign: Fun Time. In Fun Time, kids will learn the signs for animals on "Old MacDonald Had A Farm", family members in "Mama, I'm Reading", playground activities in "I'm Gonna Play", musical instruments in "A Little Song in My Heart". Classics "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and "Oh Where, Oh Where" round out the video. In the video that I was lucky enough to preview, Play Time, the kids and parents in a fun set sign and sing to "The Wheels on the Bus", a song of vehicles in "Stop, Look and Listen", and everyday activities in "This is the Way". Emotions take center stage in "If You're Happy and You Know It", and "Jumping" features signs for dancing, walking, and laughing. Alone or with friends, We Sign offers fun featurettes for toddlers or preschoolers. The series is certainly worth a try, if your kids are doers, given the bountiful benefits from the interactivity, just waiting to be harvested. | Ages: 10 months to four
year (Play Time), 2+ (Fun Time)
Distributor: Production Associates, Inc. VHS SRP: $14.95 Length: Approx. 30 minutes each Live-action Release date: June 15, 2004 Both formats include non-commercial public performance rights. Order date: May 18, 2004
"...superbly produced and presented..." - Children's Bookwatch
"...a fun introduction to American Sign language..."
The copyright of the article DVD Picks: We Sign in Family Entertainment is owned by Nicholas Moreau. Permission to republish DVD Picks: We Sign in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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