Rating: 
Summary: What Has This Book Been Waiting For?
Review: I'm an American Sign Language Interpreter, and I have a number of Deaf friends who have both Deaf and hearing children; the children without exception were signing with their parents (and with me!) by the age of nine months, and some earlier. I knew if I ever had a child I would sign to him or her, and confer this advantage. I never really thought of trying to sell hearing parents of hearing children on this idea, though, because learning ASL is a major undertaking.However, I found the contents of this video to be very respectful of the language ASL, while admitting that signs, and not Sign Language, is being taught. That being said, what is taught here is a very good foundation for learning ASL later. Unlike a lot of "sign language" introductory books, this doesn't focus solely of the semantics of handshapes, but on the idea of whole body language, and the importance of observation in communication. For example, people using this video will pick up facial expressions, and learn to maintain eye-to-eye contact, rather than eye-to-hand. Also, creativity is stressed over memorizing handshapes, so that the signs are more meaningful for the child. This is very appropriate in that Deaf children of Deaf parents use a lot of "home signs," which are signs unique to that child's or family's usage, are used when a child is very young, and are easier to produce or in some way more meaningful for the child than the "real" sign. Home signs are discarded when a child starts school. At any rate, this is an excellent way for children to begin to be creative and expressive in the way they communicate many YEARS before they will be able to do so with spoken language. The text is readable-- something a person with a baby can pick up and put down-- you don't need hours of uninterrupted concentration. The video and the reference are child-friendly, so that older children won't be left out. As long as this remains child centered and communication centered, and doesn't become about rote memorization of signs, this will be a wonderful thing, an odyssey for parents and their babies-- and so much fun! I remember beginning sign language; it is such a joy. I discovered things my body communicated without my realizing it, and I also discovered that I could be much more observant by paying attention to just a few simple things. Have fun-- so much awaits you!
Rating: 
Summary: A thorough introduction for parents.
Review: Teaches PARENTS how to START signing with their hearing children, ages 6 months to 2 or 3 years. Based on American Sign Language. For children who already know a few signs or who already possess a healthy speaking vocabulary, allow me to suggest "Baby See n Sign" and "Signing Time" instead (click on "see more about me" above for my reviews on these two products). When my son was 11 months old, I received Joseph Garcia's "Sign with your Baby" complete learning kit as a gift; it included a video, book, and laminated quick reference guide. We even ordered an additional quick reference guide for Grandma and Grandpa. After viewing the video a couple of times and reading the book, my husband and I felt informed on the research that supported signing with hearing children; we felt equipped to correctly model the first three signs that we were to introduce (eat, milk, and more); and we knew, in general, how long it would take for our son to reciprocate those first signs. After what seemed like two long months of repetitive signing on Mom and Dad's part, our son began to crudely reproduce the signs on his own. It was so cool to watch!! Again, I turned to Joseph Garcia's "Sign with your Baby" video to choose the next signs I'd introduce (we chose bath, banana, apple, telephone, and juice). It was at this time that I became disappointed with what the product offered. The alphabetical "Sign with your Baby" vocabulary on the video was tedious to fast forward and rewind through, and I felt the vocabulary would've been better presented in categories such as food, animals, everyday verbs, opposites (i.e. big/small, hot/cold), etc.; the alphabetical listing was virtually useless to me and entirely useless to my son because there were no pictures to go along with the signs. And so I went in search of additional resources. After reading EVERY SINGLE review I could find on signing video products at amazon.com, I decided on "Baby See n Sign" Volume 1 and "Signing Time" Volume 1; I have not been disappointed. These two products are designed to be viewed by parents AND children. To date, my 17-month-old son recognizes about 80 signs and produces about 40 signs with varying accuracy. To recap, Joseph Garcia's "Sign with your Baby" complete learning kit is great for getting parents STARTED with signing, but it falls short of being a useful resource to those who've already started signing or whose children already possess some verbal skills; in this case just check out Garcia's book from the library to learn about the research and methods he addresses in the video. Then invest your money elsewhere, like in "Baby See n Sign" and "Signing Time" videos. ONE FINAL THOUGHT: In one amazon.com review of Joseph Garcia's "Sign with your Baby," the video is criticized as "something of an infomercial...I expected more actual instruction and demonstration...There should have been more showing and less telling." While I agree to a certain extent with this reviewer, I strongly believe PARENTS should be educated in the research and methods associated with TEACHING a second language. I taught English as second language for many years in Japan; keeping up-to-date on the latest research and employing age-appropriate methods were essential in helping my students master a second language. Of all the signing products I've seen for hearing children, Joseph Garcia presents this aspect best. Good luck to anyone embarking on this adventure; it's a lot of FUN!!!
Rating:
Summary: Highly, Highly Recommend
Review: I used this system with my now 21 month old. It made parenting from 12-18 months a breeze. It is worth the effort to see your child communicate. My son signed complete sentences, like "Where are my shoes?" at 13 months. It has not delayed his speech - in fact he is well ahead for his age. Watch the video twice through and you will learn all the basic signs. Use the book as a reference guide. I plan to teach my next child signing too!
Rating:
Summary: Light and informative!
Review: A friend in America sent me this way back in June '99 as I couldn't find it over here in the UK and from day one I loved it! My daughter was 7 months old at the time and as a busy mum I didn't really have time to sit down and read a huge book or trawl the internet looking for information. I read the book in an evening and because it is divided into little sections I found it easy to pick up and read little snippets in a quiet five mins after that. Despite the fact that it was obviously written for an American market I found the humour funny and all in all found the book to be a light yet informative read. The video was aimed at parents I thought but my daughter loved to watch the sign demonstrations at the end and would happily copy them. As for the reference guide, it was a godsend for when others were watching her because they could see what signs she knew. As I found out more I discovered that the concept of signing with hearing babies wasn't necesserarily a new one but what Joseph Garcia appears to have done is taken a brilliant idea and packaged it in such a way as to appeal to a particular market. You have everything you need to get you started and it's based on ASL which gives you so much scope to develop sign as a second language in the future. I recommend it to everyone! (For any UK readers, there is a BSL version available now)
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent
Review: The Sign with your Baby kit is wonderful! The video is a great resource for parents to learn how to teach their baby signs from American Sign Language, with live footage of babies signing, signing families and expert advise. It also has a section that allows you to practice signing all the signs that are in the book and pull out card. The book goes into detail about such things as how to take advantage of opportunities to teach your baby signs, how your baby learns, and fun and creative ways to practice signing. The pull out card, also included in the kit, is great to practice signs. It can be used as a tool to teach baby-sitters and other caregivers the signs your baby has learned. The illustrations are very clear and it offers a way of keeping track of your baby's progress!
The program itself is wonderful. Signing provides a look into your child's mind. Our family has been signing with our son since he was 6 mos. old. Now at 22 months he can just about sign anything he can't say. I love knowing what my baby wants and he is so happy that I understand him. No crying or frustration just clear communication. It's great!
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: This was a very interesting video to watch. I love that it comes with a book, etc. The video is about an hour long, and the last 10 minutes are all of the main signs in alphabetical order, and how to do each one. It's a great review. I just leave it in the VCR to that point (the last 10 minutes) incase I need help remembering, since we just started this week.
Rating:
Summary: Highly, Highly Recommend
Review: I used this system with my now 21 month old. It made parenting from 12-18 months a breeze. It is worth the effort to see your child communicate. My son signed complete sentences, like "Where are my shoes?" at 13 months. It has not delayed his speech - in fact he is well ahead for his age. Watch the video twice through and you will learn all the basic signs. Use the book as a reference guide. I plan to teach my next child signing too!
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: I am so amazed and happy that my son has learned sign language. This kit really works! Out of the blue he'll do a new sign. It is so cool. Just keep using the signs and the baby will learn. It is a great way to communicate with your baby before he/she can talk. I highly encourage others to try sign language with their baby.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for all parents
Review: This was a great kit to start signing with your child. It was well researched and presented. The video was helpful. I really like how he uses ASL (American Sign Language). Many of the books out there use made up signs. Why not teach your child a real language that they can use to make friends with? I love being able to communicate with my daughter. Other parents notice how we talk to each other. It's fun and helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Great Help
Review: We received this gift set when our daughter was born. As first time parents we gave it a try. WOW do we love it. It helps so much! We started a little early (5 months) and saw results by 10 months. Now she is 13 months and can ask for different foods and use please and thank you. It has helped her communicate with us and has made our lives so much easier. If you are dedicated and consistent, give it a try.
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