What Is Signing Time and Where Can You Access It?
Signing Time is an educational media program designed to teach American Sign Language (ASL) to hearing children, deaf children, and families. Created by Rachel de Azevedo Coleman, the program combines music, song, and signing to make ASL accessible and engaging for young learners. Unlike many baby music and early learning programs that focus purely on auditory development, Signing Time bridges visual and linguistic learning—making it notably different from typical children's music content you'll find in mainstream stores or streaming services.
Understanding What Signing Time Actually Is 🎵
Signing Time consists of video episodes, songs, and instructional materials that teach ASL vocabulary and grammar through demonstration and repetition. The program doesn't require children to have any prior signing experience or hearing loss; it's designed as an inclusive language-learning tool for any child or family member curious about ASL.
The core format involves hosts (typically adults fluent in ASL) demonstrating signs while singing or speaking English lyrics. Each episode focuses on a theme—colors, animals, family members, feelings—and repeats key signs throughout to build recognition and muscle memory. This repetition mirrors how children naturally acquire language, whether spoken or signed.
Key distinction: Signing Time isn't background music or entertainment in the traditional sense. It's structured curriculum delivered through a musical, visual medium. Parents and caregivers often watch alongside children or use it as a guided learning tool rather than passive screen time.
How Signing Time Differs From Other Baby Music Programs
Most baby music products—whether CDs, streaming playlists, or YouTube channels—focus on auditory stimulation, rhythm development, or language exposure through listening. Signing Time takes a fundamentally different approach: it teaches a visual language while incorporating music as the delivery mechanism.
| Aspect | Typical Baby Music | Signing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Primary learning mode | Listening/auditory | Visual + kinesthetic |
| Language focus | Spoken language exposure | Sign language (ASL) instruction |
| Participation style | Passive listening or singing along | Active signing practice |
| Best suited for | General early development | Inclusive deaf/hearing families, ASL learners |
| Music role | Primary focus | Educational support tool |
This positioning matters when you're deciding whether Signing Time fits your family's goals. If you're looking for music to play in the background during diaper changes, it may not be the best fit. If you want structured ASL instruction in an engaging format, it's purpose-built for that.
Where to Find and Access Signing Time 🛍️
Signing Time content is available through multiple channels, each with different access models:
Streaming Services
Signing Time episodes are available on several mainstream streaming platforms, though availability varies by region and subscription. Check services your family already uses—many include content libraries that rotate titles. Availability isn't guaranteed to remain consistent, so if you're planning to rely on a specific platform, verify current offerings before counting on it.
DVD and Physical Media
The original Signing Time DVDs remain available through retailers specializing in educational media, used marketplaces, and occasionally mainstream stores with robust children's media sections. Physical media offers permanence—once purchased, you own access regardless of streaming rights changes.
Official Sources
Signing Time has an official website and associated educational platforms where content, materials, and curriculum resources are available. Direct purchases through official channels often include supplementary materials like lesson guides, flashcards, or access to their learning community.
Library Systems
Many public libraries carry Signing Time DVDs in their children's media collections. This is often the lowest-cost way to sample whether the program resonates with your child before committing to purchase. Availability depends on your local library system's collection policies.
Digital Purchase and Rental
Individual episodes or full seasons can be purchased or rented through digital retailers. This approach gives flexibility—you can start with one or two episodes to assess fit before buying a full series.
Factors That Influence Where You'll Find Signing Time
Availability isn't uniform across all access points. Several factors shape what you'll find and at what cost:
Geographic location affects library availability and which streaming services carry the content in your region.
Your existing subscriptions matter significantly. If you already pay for a service that includes Signing Time, accessing it costs nothing extra. If you'd need a new subscription primarily for this program, that changes the cost-benefit calculation.
Your preference for ownership versus access shapes the best option. Some families prefer owning DVDs so content remains available indefinitely. Others prioritize streaming convenience and accept that content availability may change.
Age and format preferences of your child matter too. Very young toddlers may do better with short video clips, while older preschoolers can engage with full episodes. Some children respond better to interactive physical materials than passive video viewing.
Whether you want supplementary materials (curriculum guides, song lyrics, parent resources) influences which source makes sense. Official sources often bundle these; general retailers typically don't.
What Makes Signing Time Relevant to Baby Music Conversations
The broader category of baby music typically encompasses any music or audio content designed for infants and young children. Signing Time occupies a unique space in that landscape because it treats music as a teaching tool rather than the primary benefit.
If you're exploring baby music options because you want early language exposure, Signing Time offers something different: simultaneous exposure to a complete, fully-developed language system (ASL) rather than additional exposure to English. For hearing children in hearing families, this is additive—it expands their linguistic repertoire rather than deepening exposure to their home language.
If you're exploring baby music for developmental benefits—rhythm, auditory processing, musical appreciation—Signing Time contributes those elements indirectly through its musical component, but that's secondary to its ASL instruction purpose.
Questions to Guide Your Own Evaluation
Because the right choice depends entirely on your family's situation, consider:
- What's your goal? Language learning, inclusive family communication, general early development, or exploring deaf culture?
- Does ASL learning fit your family's needs or interests? This is the essential question—if your answer is no, other baby music resources will serve you better.
- How do your children learn best? Some kids thrive with visual, kinesthetic learning; others need more auditory focus.
- What access method matches your lifestyle? Do you prefer streaming convenience, the permanence of ownership, or free library access?
- Are supplementary materials important? Some families benefit from printed resources and structured lessons; others want simplicity.
The landscape of early learning media is broad. Signing Time is excellent at what it's designed to do, but "best" always depends on alignment with your specific goals and your child's learning style.