Sing And Sign [DVD]

I do agree with the comments about the quality of filming being amateur, but not about the length of the DVD- 30 mins is a really, really long time- I was ready to shoot myself after about 10.I have watched this twice now with my 4 month old, who is obviously a bit young, but sits with me and happily watches it for the duration, so plus point no 1.I was telling my husband about it last night and realised that I've already learnt loads of the signs, without trying- the power of rhymes and songs! I really thought on the first viewing that there were too many to take in, but now I'm not worried at all, plus point no 2.The DVD lets you share a class, something I can't get to where I live, and explains how Makaton works and how to incorporate it, which is exactly what I needed, plus point 3. If we never progress from having a happy half hour watch and play together, fine, but hopefully it will be something we can use together to communicate. I play pat a cake with her now and when I clap my hands, she holds hers out ready for me to pat them, so I feel that this could work, and if we are watching it now, then when she's ready to learn/use it, we'll be halfway there.And I do agree it looks dated- half the babies are wandering around and one closes itself into a wendy house and nobody seems bothered, which is a bit distracting, and the mums are either really dowdy and mumsy looking, or a bit scary, which I have taken as motivation to stop wearing my 'comfy' clothes and shift some weight. So all good and that's why I've given it 5 stars, the minuses just don't matter.

After recently moving house I couldn’t find our copy of this anywhere and in the current lockdown situation I was desperate to give our second little one the same signing fun and communication skills that our first had at the actual sing and sign classes. This dvd is brilliant! Old fashioned but so good. Highly recommend!

Ok, to address issues of the nay sayers:Firstly, this DVD is not about teaching you or your children any established form of sign language. If you think your gonna be communicating with someone experienced in BSL or ISL as a consequence of this DVD then you're mistaken. The product clearly states that its about developing signs (for hearing children) to allow them to communicate their needs, prior to the development of their ability to vocalise. In this fashion the product works perfectly, and those parents who CARE enough to put in the time to learn with their children will be amazed when 6-month babies start telling you when they are hungry or want a drink, when 8-month babies tell you they've got a dirty nappy, or they've even seen a rabbit. The results are spectacular if you make the effort and can impact on you and your child's relationship by addressing their needs far quicker,, therefore less screaming, crying and tantrums.Secondly, people have commented on the visual quality of the product. The quality is 'acceptable' as it was made prior to the influx of cheap portable HD cameras and cheap video editing software, when standard definition DV cam was the only product available to small production companies, and was made with a low production budget (this is before Sing & Sign had any real popularity). The image quality is poor by todays HD standards, but DEFINITELY watchable with good audio quality. A newer, more up-to-date product could be made, I suppose, but current quality standards are of minimal importance. This isn't a limed addition blu-ray 3D copy of a blockbuster movie made by some Hollywood studio, nor a BBC produced HD documentary. Its a low-budget product from a small independent company, and it does what it says on the tin!Thirdly, the duration of the product is brought into question. We have a couple of the Sing & Sign DVDS in the house, and all are half-an-hour in duration. The duration in comparison to the price is not the best value for money, but understandable for a small independent company. The cost of DVD production is incredibly expensive for small print runs, which would certainly have bee the case with Sing & Sign. They need to justify that price in order to make a decent enough profit. The half-hour is certainly long enough for small children with low attention spans, and definitely short enough for us adults (believe me you don't want to watch this kind of stuff for more than 30mins). The biggest issue with the short duration is the small number of words that are available to learn. I think if 'More Sing & Sign' was attached to the standard 'Sing & Sign' product you'd have a more justifiable product of about an hour in duration with a larger collection of taught word signs.Lastly, some idiots took offence at Sasha, the DVDs central figure. She may be irritating to many adults (so are most children's TV personalities for that matter), but we're not her intended demographic. Her insanely happy, smiley, gesture filled boisterousness is designed to enthuse children...and it does! The product will drive you up the wall as it will be watched several times a day, often in a loop, and you'll soon know every word and song verbatim. But any irritation is offset by the benefit to your child, and your better communication with them, and the almost miraculous effect the now familiar DVD music and imagery has to sooth your upset child. Children's screaming vs SIng & Sign? I know what I'd rather hear for half-an-hour!For all its issues and limitations I'm going to give this product 5 Stars because I've not come across anything better. This product works immensely well if you and your children spend the time with it. The product also works like a sedative in the way no-other children's television can on small children. Children love watching other children, and this DVD is packed with them. Children will sit quietly enthralled for ages, often midway through a crying fit, to watch this DVD, and its a great way to get children settled before bedtime. However, if you just plonk your children in front of the TV and don't make the effort to learn the signs yourself, then the process is futile as you won't understand your child's attempted gestures of communication.Great stuff, but should be remade. A great gift for you and your children and a great gift to give to new parents.