It is really a pity that I did not come across the Signing Time! DVD set earlier. I was recommended to Signing Time! DVDs by a friend of mine recently. I borrowed 2 copies from her and now I am tempted to buy the whole set of Signing Time!.
A brief introduction of Signing Time! DVD
The program is hosted by Rachel Coleman, teaching American Sign Languages (ASL)in a fun and interactive way. The 2 kids featured, namely, Leah (who is deaf) and Alex (who is hearing) are Rachel’s daughter and nephew respectively. They combine music, animation and life action to illustrate the signs such as hungry, cookies etc.
They are created for children aged 1 - 8 years old. It is not only known to help kids with autism but it also helps reduce tantrums throwing as it provides another way of communication to toddlers who might not be able to voice out their thoughts and feelings completely yet.
A little summary on the volume that we watch:
Signing Time Volume 3: Everyday Signs DVD - We love the Silly Pizza Song and the signs taught in the DVD are:
Signing Time Volume 5: ABC Signs DVD - The kids do not only learn the signs of A-Z, they also learn some new words when Rachel introduce certain words to be associated to the alphabets.
My verdict on Signing Time!
Rachel, who is the host, has acheerful and happy disposition. The songs were cute and catchy which can capture the attention of the children easily. My children were very eager to try out and imitate the sign languages that Rachel, Leah and Alex are showing. After watching the DVD twice, the children can show some simple signs like hungry, cookie, apple, etc.
As for myself, I am attracted to the catchy songs as well. At times, I even stop what I am doing to watch with the kids. It becomes so natural that the kids and Ibegan to hum the songsthat we learn in the DVD together. It was lots of fun for the 3 of us.
The kids and I are definitely going to complete all the 13 series of Signing Time! DVD.
When Felix was 1.5 years old, we started to use your Signing Time DVDs to teach him sign language. He quickly picked up sign language and then started talking, at such young age. He could express himself by sign language first, then by talking very well.
We bought the whole series of Signing Time DVDs (including Baby Signing Time) for him to learn at home. It was an effective tool for him. At the age of three, he can recognize more than 3000 words and is starting to read a Primary One level textbook.
He has keen passion to learn sign language through your DVDs. He loves to sing, dance and sign together with Rachel, Alex, Leah and Hopkins. They have become his best companions every day. I wish more people realized the benefits from the wonderful learning and teaching material of Signing Time. I would highly recommend the Signing Time DVD to all children for their learning!
Sylvia Mak Wai Chong
Singapore
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In this review of Wink To Learn DVD, I will be dissecting the program of Wink To Learn and the usefulness of it, rather than describing how much my children love it.
How do we parents evaluate educational products? If I am to answer it from my own point of view, it will be how well is the tool able to engage my children. My children have been using Sing to Learn and Wink to Learn for quite some time. It works perfectly well for them, though my husband is not really impressed with the graphics.
What is Wink To Learn?
Wink To Learn DVDs does not only help children develop interest in languages and words recognition, it also adopts the concept of the Shichida methodand Glenn Doman flash cardsmethodology of right brain training. It is the “modern” flashcards method in DVD format.
There are 6 DVDs within the package. Each individual DVD is structured with 6 lessons and 4 different revision methods, which are Pictures and Words, Words Only, Pictures Only and High Speed (which is use for right brain training).
Each lesson is a 2 minute slide show with different themes such as Animals, Fruits, Things in the House etc. which is closely related to the daily life of the children. At the end of every lesson, there will be music and pictures of a certain topic like France (which shows beautiful scenery of France). This is meant for the children to relax after a lesson and parents can use this chance to bond with the children by engaging in related topics.
How to optimize the usage of Wink to Learn (Speak and Read Chinese)?
1. Follow the parents’ guide that comes with the DVD. The developer of the program will have the best idea of how to use the program.
2. There are 2 very important rules inside the guidebook that I have followed dutifully. That is:
a) Stop before your child wants to stop. b) Repetition is needed for reinforcement. Reinforcement is critical for word recognition.
3. Do not leave your child alone with the program. Watch it with them. I always sit down with my children when they watch it. Though I am not the one who did the talking, but my silent companionship is gold to them.
Who should buy Wink To Learn?
If you are looking to enhance the Chinese language ability of your children. Wink To Learn will be a good option to consider. The Chinese words are distinguished and clearly defined. My children who are 3 and 2 respectively tried it and they love it. It works well for them and they always request for a second disc. However, I stick closely to the guidelines and make sure that I stop before they get bored. :)
Despite all the controversy, I personally think that Wink to Learn is a useful program if you use it consistently and patiently over a period of time. It might not be the best educational program in the eyes of the parents, but certainly an engaging one for the kids with topics relating to their daily life.
Exams are coming! Is your child getting sweaty palms over exams preparation? As a parent, it is your role to fight this battle together with your child. By teaching him how to overcome the frantic exam anxiety, you are also teaching him how to overcome future challenges. That is why teaching your child is not just about getting good grades. It is about teaching him how to meet life challenges ahead. Therefore, I have come up with the best tips to empower your child for the coming exams and the many challenges ahead.
In the preparation period:
Get him to revise early, especially if he has not been keeping up with his studies.
Do not wait until the teacher has completed the syllabus. Start before that.
Get used to performing under examination conditions. Give him test to do within a given time, and in a quiet room.
Taking the exams:
Teach your child to…
Scan through the paper first
This should be the first thing he does. Scanning helps him to plan the order to answer the questions and to allocate how much time to which section.
Plan his time wisely
He should always plan for extra time to check his work. This is to prevent all the careless mistakes from taking his precious marks away!
- Easy Enemies first, Tough ones last
Many students spend too much precious time on tough questions, and then they realized they do not have time to finish the paper. How wasted! Some teachers like to put harder questions in the first few questions. When he encounters such a situation, skip them and tackle the easier ones first. Then return to it after he is done with the easier ones.
- Never Give up, never never give up
Difficult questions, especially if they are put at the beginning of the paper, often have the effect of demoralizing him. Students then form the belief that it is a difficult paper that they could not handle.
Skip the tough ones and tackle the easier ones to boost his confidence. When he comes back and still cannot answer, do not leave blank. This will guarantee a zero and makes the marker most happy cause there is nothing for him to mark! Write something as long as there is something logical. Like a definition, a phrase he still can recall, or an example. He might even gain some marks on this.
After An Exam:
No matter how well or how badly your child has done for the paper, there is nothing he can do when the paper was handed in. Many students spent unnecessary time working over how they did for the earlier paper that they lost focus on the coming ones.
As a parent, you can help him overcome this by encouraging him to look ahead and work harder to make up for the mistakes he had done earlier.
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