We have enjoyed the Signing Time! series in our home for the last 5 years. Our children and their friends absolutely love these shows and they come away learning more than just the ASL vocabulary. Some of the things my kids have learned on ST are colors, numbers, ABC's, and manners.
Signing Time
(Rated TV-Y, Educational, Where to watch: PBS)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Sweet introduction to American Sign Language.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 2 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Signing Time was written by Joyce Slaton
Parents need to know that this educational series doesn't shy away from showing images of children who are physically disabled; they're shown participating cheerily along with their peers.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the reasons why some children are deaf or otherwise differently abled. How should you treat such a person? What accommodations does a deaf person need in order to function in everyday life?
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More on Signing Time
What’s the Story?
With a bouncy tone akin to Sesame Street's "learning can be fun" style, SIGNING TIME dives into the world of American Sign Language. Hosted by Rachel Coleman, the mother of a hearing-impaired daughter, Signing Time combines music, animation, and live-action footage to demonstrate and illustrate everyday signs like "help," "butterfly," and "cold."
Is It Any Good?
For very young ones, Signing Time's images are dazzling: birds flying through the air and toddlers helping Daddy sweep the driveway are just the sort of thing to pique older toddlers and preschoolers' interest. Meanwhile, parents won't be repulsed by the sweet, natural children who act out the signs. No precious, Barney-style li'l performers here -- just regular little kids showing the difference between small and tall or happy and sad. Sprinkled liberally amongst the cast members are children with disabilities, who are shown interacting naturally and happily with their peers. Coleman's deaf daughter, Leah, is also featured on the show, along with her cousin Alex (who is not deaf).
Were this program not airing in an era in which baby signing has become trendy, interest in Signing Time might be limited to hearing-impaired kids and their parents. But thanks to the recent focus on signing as a way to communicate with pre-verbal children, Signing Time will be of great interest to many. Parents who tune in will find a fun and easy introduction to sign language that's great to watch with their kids. This sweet, gentle little show is the kind of program you won't mind your child watching. It's educational TV that doesn't feel forced.
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on and give it
Fantastic children's series!
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I rate this title on and give it
A Must See for all ages
Exciting,enteractive and entertaining video series to learn ASL for any age. It helped my son to be able to communicate when he language was not clear and it helped me to learn a new way to communicate with others.
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I rate this title on and give it
Perfect educational television!
Signing Time! is a terrific educational series for children of all ages. Our children love watching and it is one of the few shows that we enjoy watching with them. We know that they are learning, engaged, and entertained!
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I rate this title on and give it
Signing Time Rocks!
Signing Time has a special place in my heart because I have seen the amazing effect it has children. I use Signing Time in my classroom as well as in my home. My students and grandchildren have all increased their language and communication skills, reading skills, social skills and self-confidence while falling in love with Rachel, Alex and Leah. I recommend it highly for people of all ages.
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I rate this title on and give it
A must-try program
Whether teaching a hearing child who is a pre-verbal infant, a non-verbal child with disabilities or a child who wants to learn ASL as a second language, Signing Time has yet to reach its potential as a mainstream parenting tool. What I like about this show is that it reaches children with diverse learning styles. Where I normally would not stick my child in front of the television to watch shows that are mind-numbing entertainment, this show actually encourages interaction through signing, singing, speaking and moving. I found that parents are actually as engaged in the show as the child and feel that this interaction between parent and child is priceless.
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