Baby Signing Time Vs. Signing Time

Updated on April 06, 2009
J.H. asks from Colorado Springs, CO
20 answers

I've heard good things about Baby Signing Time, but when I went to order it on Amazon I saw a lot of reviews that said the regular Signing Time was much better. Just wondering if any of you ladies have either DVD and whether or not you'd recommend it. Also, I have a 14 month old and another due in Oct. I would like to get one that both will enjoy. Thanks!
I should add that my son already knows some signs :)

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks everyone! I'm going to check out Signing time today. They don't have baby signing time at the library right now, so we'll just see how he does with the regular one and hope that baby signing time gets checked back in soon :)

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.W.

answers from Denver on

my daughter (now 17 months) prefers the baby signing time. we bought one of the regular series, but found it moves quite fast compared to the baby series. it doesn't seem quite as baby fun, if that makes any sense at all! we started watching them when she was a year old, and now have all 4 dvds. she watches half one (about 15-20min) each day. i am concerned about her watching tv at all, but she LOVES baby signing time and has learned so well from it. i credit it for her verbal vocabulary as well- she has 50-70 words now maybe more.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Pocatello on

I love the original signing time....the songs are wonderful and a great way to remember a lot of signs! I think they keep the kids interest longer (agewise) than the baby signing time, but I have some of both. We also got the music CDs and the kids listen to those and try to remember all the signs and do the whole song by themselves, it's great!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.R.

answers from Pueblo on

I have both Baby and Regular signing time. My son (20 months) has enjoyed both. He knows about 20-35 different signs from both signing times. My son really enjoyed the carton effect of the baby signing time but now enjoys the older ones with the real animals and things. I H. this answers your question or concerns.
H.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Provo on

I don't know about baby signing time but we have all of the signing times from season 1 and 2 and they are amazing. It think it is a good company regardless. Maybe consider something they can watch and love even when they are older. I always have taught my babies the signs for eat, drink, more, all done, please and thankyou. It makes so much difference.
Hope that helps
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.P.

answers from Denver on

Hi J. --
Signing Smart has 2 DVD's available -- Treasure Chest Vol. 1 "Toys and Signs" is a lot of fun for the kids to watch with the Big Signing Bear and over 35 ASL signs to learn. Treasure Chest Vol. 2 "Signs, Songs and Rhymes" is full of familiar songs and rhymes signed by little children with some sign instructions included. It also comes with a companion CD so you can sing along in the car and everywhere. I believe both of these DVDs are available in the Douglas County and Arapahoe Libraries so you could request them through inter-library loan to check them out. The feedback I get from families is that their kids love to watch the DVDs and the parents and kids actually do learn the signs.
I am a Signing Smart Instructor in the Denver area. If you are not familiar with the Signing Smart Sign Language Program, you can get more information at www.SigningSmart.com or on my website at www.TeachMeToSign.com . There is a Mamasource coupon in the MemberPerks section of this site also to receive a free copy of the book "Signing Smart with Babies and Toddlers" by Drs. Michelle Anthony and Reyna Lindert when you register for one of my Play Classes.
Let me know if you have any other questions about signing with your babies!
L. Powell

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.G.

answers from Colorado Springs on

my kids loved signing time. it was the only way we got our oldest to start talking. we tries other videos and they didn't like them nearly as much. good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Provo on

J.- I think you'll be happy with either option honestly! We found Signing Time while it was on PBS (not on anymore however) and really enjoyed the regular series. Then we bought baby signing time and my son loved those also. What I would recommend doing is renting them from the library and seeing which ones you like -then purchasing them from there. Another great site is www.babysteals.com -they have one "steal" or deal a day at a great cost and they regularly have signing time dvd's at a special price. Our son started watching them around 9 mos old. He's a preemie and had some delays. Signing REALLY helped him! He's now 2 1/2 and is totally caught up with speech and he still signs!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

O.L.

answers from Denver on

We LOVE Signing Time. To be fair, I've not seen the baby version but they're just slower-paced, as I understand it. I wouldn't bother with them unless you only want to learn a handful of signs and use them only 'til your baby can communicate enough. (Maybe those would be a good library check-out, but buy the regular ones so you can use them longer.)

For us, I've sort of used ASL as a 2nd language with my DS1. We initially used it to reduce tantrums before he could talk, but he actually wanted to "re-learn" it when he was 2ish (and talking very well, I think in large part due to learning sign) so we bought the set after he was already talking. He's now 4 and still likes to watch the videos... and he and I are working together to teach sign to DS2. :) DS1 also now likes trying to do whole sentences in ASL.

Your 14-month-old is such a sponge at this age. I'll bet he'll keep up just fine with the regular videos & surprise you with how many signs he can learn at a really fast pace!

Have fun!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Denver on

My family definitely likes the regular signing time better. My daughter is now 4 and she is STILL watching them. I have to admit, the songs are pretty catchy! You'll find yourself very quickly singing along with them. :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.K.

answers from Pocatello on

I personally like the Baby Signing Time better. It think it was better made. My daughter (20 months) loves them! I have vol 1 and 2 and recently bought vol 3 and 4. We are waiting for them to come. I was always planning on teaching my babies sign language, because that's what I have graduated in from college. The sign language used on both is correct and done well.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Hi J.!

I bought Baby Signing Time and Signing Time. I'm glad I bought Baby Signing Time because, at the time, those were the words we needed to learn and communicate. I got it when my daughter was 9 months old and she will be 4 years old this month. She still likes to watch the Baby Signing Time dvds but does not ask for the Signing Time ones. They are enjoyable and she still sings and signs along. I personally think you would be missing out if you didn't get those ones first...especially if you have one on the way. It's also not too "babyish" for your 14 month old. My other girls were almost 4 and 6 when I got the dvds and they preferred them to the Signing Time...I think it was because of the catchy songs. Happy watching!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I think signing is fabulous. Even if you get to a point where you don't use it as much, it's useful when you're trying to be quiet or wanting to add emphasis.

I THINK the main difference between the Baby version and regular is simply the showing of how a baby might execute the sign versus an older child or adult with full dexterity.

If you can allow for your baby to be "close" you probably would do well to just go ahead and get the regular one.

The baby one might be a little shorter with less signs, too.

I echo the idea of going to the library to check them out first. Then you can decide for yourself.

You can also go out to signing websites to learn signs and teach your baby that way, too.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Boise on

We LOVE Baby Signing Time. Our daughter is four and knows over 100 signs just from watching the videos. Our son is 22 months and knows more signs than our daughter did at that age. They are a lot of fun for us. Rachel, the main gal in the videos does a great job of demonstrating the signs, and is upbeat in a fun way. I'm not familiar with the other kind of videos but Baby Signing Time has been great for our family.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Denver on

They are both great, check them out at the library to see what you like best. I am not a huge fan of vol 1-3 of the signing time, and some of vol 2 seem to be for a little bit older crowd.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Signing Time is much better, especially if your son already knows a few. Baby Signing Time is nice, but my daughter learned better from the others. She knew 150 signs by the time she was 16 months old. Your son is ready for the older versions and baby #2 should love them too.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Denver on

Hi there! All of these videos are great! Baby Signing Time is great for younger kids and kids with no sign language experience, and Signing Time takes off from there. The first 3 videos in the Signing Time series kind of duplicate the Baby ones, as they both have basic, necessary signs, but afte that they are all different. I have a 5 year old and a two year old (the two year old is an incredible signer) and they both will watch any of the videos! Hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions! I am a huge advocate of these videos since my younger daughter has a serious speech delay and some other issues, but she can communicate using signs! Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

We have the entire Baby Signing Time Series, and my daughter who is 19 months loves them!! She has been watching them since she was about 4 months old...mainly so I could shower!! :) I now have a 6 week old baby boy, so I am excited to use them for him as well. I think they are great for kids 0-2. My daughter knows about 50 signs and has been talking a lot more lately! I like the Baby Signing Time for the younger kids because they are a little slower paced, have more music, and have more animation. I am going to be getting her the regular Signing Time soon too...I think they seem a little more advanced. Either way, they are a great investment! Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.S.

answers from Provo on

We bought the Baby Sign and I found it to be a waste of money. It doesn't show the signs very well and doesn't show many of the more useful signs for little ones to know. We then got the Baby Einsteins signing DVD and it is much better (and less expensive). My kids actually watch this one and I find the signs taught to be a lot more useful.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.K.

answers from Denver on

Hi J., Try your local library first and see what you like. I hate to get a dvd in the house that I paid $15.00 for and wish I had never bought it. We got lucky with "My baby can talk" it was really good and she liked it. I would like to get the next one in line. But to tell you the truth she is talking just enough to communicate and we have kind of grown tired of the signing. It was fun though, one day we went into a restaraunt and she saw a bald man with a very round face and she signed "Ball" to me. I sure was glad she could not talk. gl K. K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.G.

answers from Denver on

I took Signing Smart classes when my daughter was a baby. She's 3 1/2 now, but she still sometimes uses the signs we learned to communicate with me if she knows I don't understand her. I highly recommend it!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches