Ba-by.. Ba-by.. Ba-by Signing Time!

My twenty-one month old daughter has been singing "Ba-by Ba-by Ba-by Signing Time". It's hilarious. She's completely out of tune and the fact that she's attempting to sing when she's just learned to string words together speaks volumes for how obsessed she is with this series! She has been obsessed with Baby Signing Time since we introduced it to her when she was 7 months old.

Violet's first time watching Baby Signing TIme.




At 7 months, she would squeal with excitement and smile ear to ear (especially in between scenes when the black transitional screen would appear which I found interesting). Now she requests the videos by saying "I want Baby Signing Time". She is captivated by the video from beginning to end, often dictating what will come next and always requesting "more Baby" or "one more time".

There have been times when we wonder "how much is too much"? She requests it in the car and whenever she sees a laptop. We usually give in to her guilty pleasure on longer car rides and while getting dinner ready on occasion. As of lately she's averaging 1-2 viewings per day. More than I would like, but I have to admit she has learned a great deal from these videos. First off, she LOVES watching them. Her face lights up with excitement when Rachel introduces Leah, Alex and especially Hopkins. Not only can she identify and name almost every animal, she can sign them too! The best part.. it's not only tolerable to listen to time and again but I actually find the tunes really catchy.

So, my take on Baby Signing Time? Be warned that it IS crack for babies (if your child is anything like mine) but I think the benefits far out-weigh the neurotic behaviour that may ensue.. "You can share what's on your mind.. Baby Baby Baby Signing Time!" :)

(I highly suggest getting the audio cds as well for the car when the dvd is not an option.. it saves us on many long drives!)

Shh! Listen!

I've been using the line... "Shhh! Listen!" over the last several weeks long after we returned the book it was inspired by to the library. The book is called  How Loud Is a Lion? and it is a book worth buying! (I'm not getting paid to say that.. unfortunately.)

It has beautiful graphics made up of a stitched layered fabrics, not to mention it's key line has come to my rescue many a times when Violet is in crazy mode and unable to focus. After a loud "Shhh! Listen!" she stops immediately to listen. Every time I remember to use this line.. I thank the author of this book for writing it. It's seriously become a little tool in my 'how to calm my child' toolbox.

Here's a sample line from the book: "Parrots are feathery, porcupines are prickly, But how loud is a lion? Shhh! Listen!" Other reasons I love this book: it introduces several types of birds and animals, it introduces adjectives, it reads like a song, after a few reads my 19 month old was holding her finger up to her lips in anticipation of the "Shhh" part which was just precious!

Great Online Article

I just came across this article today called "Teachable Toddler Moments"! It hits on every reason I started this blog:

"Toddlers are like sponges, absorbing everything around them."

"The most important thing parents can do at this stage is maximize everyday toddler teachable moments."

"The toddler years lay the foundation for the rest of your child's life."

The article includes pages of tips for identifying and using everyday experiences as an opportunity to teach your toddler. Love it!

Teachable Toddler Moments Article