Signing Time is a video program that teaches American Sign Language to babies and young children

Signing Time is a television and video series designed to introduce American Sign Language (ASL) to children from infancy through early elementary school. The program uses songs, stories, and repetition to teach both deaf and hearing children sign vocabulary in a natural, playful way. Each episode focuses on a theme — colors, animals, family, emotions — and shows the signs in context so children learn not just the hand shapes but how signs are used in real conversation.

The series was created by Rachel Coleman, a hearing mother of a deaf daughter, and has been broadcast on PBS Kids and other children's networks since 2002. The core idea is that sign language is a complete language, not a code for English, and children learn it best the same way they learn spoken language: through exposure, repetition, and meaningful interaction. Signing Time episodes typically run 30 minutes and are aimed at children from birth through age 8, though older siblings and parents often watch and learn alongside.

Key Takeaways

  • Signing Time teaches American Sign Language through songs, stories, and themed episodes that repeat vocabulary in different contexts.
  • The program is designed for both deaf children and hearing children with deaf family members, as well as hearing families who want their children to learn sign language.
  • Episodes are available through PBS Kids, DVD, streaming services, and the official Signing Time website, with costs varying by format.
  • Research suggests that early exposure to sign language does not delay spoken language development in hearing children and can support bilingualism.
  • Parents and caregivers learn alongside children, which is important because children learn language best through interaction with the people around them.

How Signing Time teaches vocabulary and grammar

Each Signing Time episode introduces a small set of signs — usually 8 to 12 — and repeats them throughout the episode in songs and conversations. The host, Rachel Coleman, signs while speaking English aloud, so hearing children hear the words and see the signs at the same time. Deaf children see the signs and can read lips or captions. The repetition is intentional: children learn language through exposure, and seeing the same sign used in different sentences and situations helps them understand both the sign itself and how it fits into language.

The program also teaches grammar concepts that are specific to ASL. American Sign Language has its own grammar rules — word order, use of space, facial expressions, and body position all carry meaning. Signing Time shows these in action rather than explaining them as rules. For example, when signing about location, the host might place an imaginary object in space and then point to that location when referring to it later. Hearing children who watch regularly begin to absorb these patterns, and deaf children see ASL used naturally by a native or fluent signer.

Who benefits from Signing Time

Signing Time is most commonly used by families with deaf or hard of hearing children, where it serves as one tool among many for language development. Deaf children need exposure to sign language in the same way hearing children need exposure to spoken language, and Signing Time provides that in an engaging, age-appropriate format. The program is also used in schools for the deaf and in early intervention programs.

Hearing children with deaf parents or siblings also watch Signing Time to learn the sign language their family uses at home. For these children, sign language is their family language, and the program reinforces what they are learning through daily interaction. Some hearing families without deaf members choose to introduce sign language to their children out of interest in bilingualism or because they want their children to be able to communicate with deaf peers or family friends. Research has not found that learning sign language delays spoken language development in hearing children; instead, bilingual children often show advantages in certain cognitive tasks.

Where to find Signing Time and what it costs

Signing Time episodes air on PBS Kids at various times depending on your local station. You can check your PBS station's schedule online to see when episodes are broadcast in your area. The program is also available through PBS Kids streaming, which is free with a PBS account (you can create one at pbs.org).

The official Signing Time website (signingtime.com) offers DVDs for purchase and a subscription service that provides access to the full library of episodes. DVD prices vary but typically range from $10 to $20 per volume. The subscription service costs vary depending on the plan you choose. Some libraries carry Signing Time DVDs, so you can borrow them for free before deciding whether to purchase. Streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV also carry Signing Time episodes, usually available for purchase by episode or season.

How to use Signing Time at home with your child

Watching Signing Time together is most effective when you engage with it rather than using it as background television. Pause the episode and try the signs yourself. Repeat the signs your child makes, even if they are not perfect — this shows them that you notice and value their communication. Use the signs you learn in daily life: if you learned the sign for "eat" in an episode, use it at mealtimes. If you learned "dog," use it when you see a dog outside.

You do not need to be fluent in sign language to do this. Your child will learn from watching you try, make mistakes, and keep going. If you are a hearing parent learning alongside your deaf child, you are modeling that language learning is a lifelong process and that it is okay to be a beginner. If you are a deaf parent, Signing Time can be a tool to reinforce what your child is learning from you and other deaf adults in their life. Either way, the program works best as a starting point for conversation and play, not as a substitute for interaction with real people.

What research says about Signing Time and language development

Studies of Signing Time have found that children who watch the program regularly do learn the signs presented. One study published in the journal Sign Language Studies found that preschool-aged deaf children who watched Signing Time showed increased use of the vocabulary taught in the episodes. Another study found that hearing children of deaf parents who watched Signing Time alongside their parents showed gains in sign vocabulary and comprehension.

The research also suggests that the program is most effective when it is paired with real interaction. Children who watched episodes and then practiced the signs with a parent or caregiver learned more than children who watched alone. This aligns with what we know about language development in general: children learn language through interaction, not through passive viewing. Signing Time is a tool that introduces vocabulary and models how signs are used, but the real learning happens when a child uses those signs with someone who responds and engages.

Signing Time and other approaches to sign language learning

Signing Time is one of several resources available for families learning sign language. Some families work with a sign language interpreter or tutor, either in person or online. Others attend sign language classes designed for families or children. Some families connect with Deaf community organizations, where children can interact with deaf adults and peers and see sign language used naturally in social settings.

For deaf children, exposure to sign language from birth is considered important for language development, and many families combine Signing Time with other sources: interaction with deaf family members, school programs, community events, and professional instruction. For hearing children learning sign language, the approach depends on the family's goals. Some families want their children to be fluent signers; others want basic communication skills. Signing Time works well as part of any of these approaches because it introduces vocabulary and models natural signing without requiring a large time commitment or specialized instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will watching Signing Time delay my hearing child's spoken language development?

No. Research on bilingual children shows that learning sign language does not delay spoken language development. Hearing children who are exposed to both sign language and spoken language typically develop both, though the timeline may differ slightly from monolingual children. The key is that the child has exposure to both languages through interaction with people who use them.

Can my child learn sign language from Signing Time alone?

Signing Time introduces vocabulary and shows how signs are used, but children learn language most effectively through interaction. Watching episodes is a good starting point, but your child will learn more if you use the signs in daily life and practice with them. If your goal is fluency, Signing Time should be paired with other learning opportunities, such as classes, interaction with deaf peers, or work with a sign language instructor.

Is Signing Time appropriate for babies?

Signing Time episodes are designed for children from birth onward, though babies under 6 months may not focus on the screen. Babies and toddlers learn language through exposure and interaction, so if you watch Signing Time and use the signs with your baby, they can begin to absorb sign language from an early age. The program is most engaging for children around 18 months and older, when they are more interested in screens and can follow straightforward stories.

Do I need to know sign language to use Signing Time with my child?

No. You can watch Signing Time and learn alongside your child. The program is designed so that hearing parents can follow along and pick up signs as they go. Your child will benefit from seeing you try to sign, even if you are not fluent. If you want to become more fluent, you can take sign language classes or work with an instructor, but you do not need advanced skills to support your child's learning.

How much does Signing Time cost?

Signing Time is free on PBS Kids (broadcast and streaming). DVDs typically cost $10 to $20 per volume and can often be borrowed from libraries. The official Signing Time website offers a subscription service with varying costs depending on the plan. Some streaming services carry episodes for purchase. Check your local library first, as borrowing is free and lets you try the program before spending money.