Awards
Creative Child Magazine's Top Creative Toy Awards
Creative
Child Magazine is a national publication that focuses on providing
parents with the latest information on how to nurture creativity
in their children. Each year over 1,000 sample products are submitted
to their testing department. A panel of judges which includes child
psychologists and child educators monitors a pre-selected group
of kids whose ages correspond to the various products that were
submitted. The panel then rates each product based on four major
factors: educational value, creative nurturing, creative play, and
overall value with respect to retail price. Sign-A-Lot: The Big
Surprise was awarded the Preferred Choice award for 2005.
iParenting Media Award for the Greatest Products of 2005
Each
product that wins an iParenting Media Award is chosen as being an
outstanding product in its category. iParenting Media's award program
provides a credible and objective method of determining the best
products in the children's media and juvenile products industry
and recognizes those products with their awards. Reviewers included
experts, licensed childcare facilities, and parents. In addition
to these "real world" judges, each product was evaluated
by the iParenting Media Awards Executive Committee. The end result
of this comprehensive process is a list of award-winning products
families can feel confident in purchasing for their loved ones.
Endorsements
Sign-A-Lot has been endorsed by Dr. J. Sears.
"What a great way to introduce hearing children to the benefits
of sign language!"
Press
LA
TIMES Daily Pilot Section "best buy for kids"
DVD teaches kids to sign
by Greer Wilder
Published: October 13, 2005
The DVD "Sign-A-Lot: The Big Surprise" was created for hearing children ages 3 to 11. Creators Barbara Granoff and Lee developed the first "Sign-A-Lot" DVD to teach sign language vocabulary to children in an exciting, and entertaining way with animation, child performers and fantasy. Research shows that children who sign can improve other skills including vocabulary, reading and spelling, understanding concepts and number recognition. It also benefits the ability to express emotions. "Sign-A-Lot: The Big Surprise" teaches children more than 80 signs. The DVD uses a novel approach to learning sign language: The illustrated images appear and disappear over the signs as they are demonstrated. The DVD is available at the First Page at 270 E. 17th Street in Costa Mesa. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. (949) 645-KIDS. Or you can order at www.signalot.com.
SAN DIEGO FAMILY MAGAZINE Front Lines Section "The Benefits of American Sign Language"
"Sign-A-Lot: The Big Surprise" offers American Sign Language to hearing children, ages 3-11. Through song and colorful illustrated images, six kids travel and sign their way through the magical land of Sign-A-Lot. The kids visit a park where they decide to have a picnic and learn the signs for their favorite foods such as popcorn and salad; they also play a signing game about opposites - up/down, inside/outside, hot/cold and more. Along with the See Me Sign Kids, children learn some 80 signs to talk with a deaf or hearing-impaired student, communicate at the movies or while playing baseball.
Reviews
Sign-A-Lot DVD series created by Barbara Granoff and Lee
Sher
Reviewed by Erin Kelly-Allshouse at www.ChildrenOfTheNewEarth.com
Sign-A-Lot is a DVD series for hearing children that teaches American Sign Language vocabulary in a creative and entertaining way. This playful, interactive DVD series inspires children to be participating viewers and stimulating their intellectual development while making learning fun.
"Sign-A-Lot: The Big Surprise" offers American Sign Language to hearing children, ages 2-11. Through song and colorful illustrated images, six kids travel and sign their way through the magical land of Sign-A-Lot. The kids visit Picnic Park, Exercise Alley, Field of Feelings, the Opposite Playground, and Music Meadow where they decide to have a picnic along with mischievous animated pals, Lulu Lefty and Ronnie Righty. They learn the signs for their favorite foods such as popcorn and salad. They also play a signing game about opposites - up/down, inside/outside, hot/cold and more. Along with the See Me Sign Kids, children can learn over 80 signs to talk with a deaf or hearing-impaired student, communicate at the movies or while playing baseball.
Research shows that hearing kids who sign can improve vocabulary, concepts, and number recognition, reading and spelling skills. Co-creator Lee Sher says that many parents stop signing once their children have begun to speak or feel they missed the chance to benefit from signing if their child is already in school even though research shows that these benefits continue long after children become verbal.
Creators Barbara Granoff and Lee Sher developed the first "Sign-A-Lot" DVD to teach sign language vocabulary to children in an exciting, and entertaining way with animation, child performers and fantasy. Research shows that children who sign can improve skills including vocabulary, reading and spelling, and number recognition. It also benefits the ability to express emotions.
My son aged 2 1/2 loves the Sign-a-Lot DVD. He gets really engaged and interacts by signing and talking with the See Me sign kids. Sign-A-Lot is very original and has taught us both new words in sign that we use often, like butterfly, ice cream and salad. It's like we're playing games with the kids on the screen but learning a whole new language at the same time. We are looking forward to the next release.
The DVD is sold at the First Page at 270 E. 17th Street in Costa
Mesa, CA. Call (949) 645-KIDS.
Testimonials
"My kids (ages 2 1/2 and practically 4) loved it! We had used
the three Signing Time videos when they were babies/young toddlers,
but they had outgrown them a year ago. I am so thankful to have
found you! After watching it only twice, we're using sign language
again! Thank you, and we are looking forward to a sequel trip to
Sign-a-Lot!"
Kathryn S., Mississippi
"My kids absolutely love this DVD! They watched it 3 times
the first day we had it and at least once a day since! My youngest
(age 5) is hearing impaired and she started signing to me the day
after we received the video. She had never done that before. She
has been able to understand when I sign to her but she would never
sign back until now. This DVD has been great for us and we cannot
wait for more DVDs to come out. Also, the shipping was wonderful.
I received it the day after I ordered it! Thank you so much!
Cindy R., Ohio
"Thank you so much for sharing "Sign-A-Lot" with my class. I loved the way my preschoolers interacted with the DVD. It was so exciting to watch them soak it up. I am still amazed at how many signs they learned in one sitting!!" Lisa R., teacher in California
"We bought a 2nd DVD to keep at Grandma's house; now
the whole family is signing a lot!"
Leslie L. (mother of 3), Texas
"We are piloting 'The Big Surprise' as part of our total communication
program. We are a special education school and many of our children
are nonverbal. By having entire classes view the DVD we are able
to provide an expressive communication device to our verbal and
nonverbal students. The verbal students learn signs that allow them
to understand what their nonverbal peers are saying. Within the
pilot class, the children sat mesmerized, following the hands. I
have never seen so many children with autism sitting so quietly
and learning. Thank you. We are looking forward to new releases."
Debbie N., Supervisor
"I only have a minute, but would like to say that my students
(special education K-2) really enjoyed this DVD. I was hoping there
might be the next one in the series. Please let me know."
Janie M.
"My girls love "Sign-A-Lot" and it has become our
favorite gift to give for all the birthdays we attend. ( I just
ordered 5 more!) Now all the kids are having fun singing and
signing the Sign-A-Lot song together and playing signing games!
Thank you for a GREAT DVD!! "
Jan O., Pennsylvania
"What a lovely DVD! The kids were really engaged. My 2 year
old waves back at the kids on the screen, and my 5 year old says
"Come on Mommy. Do the sign!" if I don't play the sign
games along with the DVD. Sign-A-Lot is so original! It's
like we're playing games with the kids on the screen. Playing
games but learning a whole new language at the same time!"
Emma R., Canada
"I would like to become a See Me Sign Kid, please tell me what
I need to do. I really like the movie and like learning to
sign."
Zachary G. (age 8), California
"Congratulations on producing a Great Signing DVD, my son loves
it! As soon as he woke up this morning, he asked to watch
it again!"
Stacy Thompson, author of "Signing With Your Tot"
"Sign-A-Lot is the only DVD my 5, 9, and 11 year olds will
all watch together!"
Nina T., preschool educator in Texas
"Thanks for creating a guilt-free DVD. Finally a DVD they
like and I feel good about them watching"
Jan J., New York
"Sign-A-Lot is the only DVD my very active 22 month old will
sit and watch from start to finish with her 5 and 7 year old sisters!"
Terri B., California
"What a delight Sign-A-Lot is. Both of my daughters are adopted
from China and we used sign language to assist with their language.
My oldest daughter, age 7, signed along with the kids and immediately
wanted to watch it again when it was all over. Our 2 year old seemed
struck by the fact that the kids could sign, just like her. Sign-A-Lot
is wonderful!!!"
Naomi S., Hawaii
"Emma loves your video! This is the first real "story
line" signing video that we've seen and, she is fascinated
with and tries to mimic older children. It really captures her attention.
The first day I put the DVD on she requested four viewings in a
row! I also really appreciate the parental instruction portion since
it gives very easy yet helpful tips."
Angela G., California