We Sign: Play Time, and We Sign: Fun Time (2004).   Production Associates, 1206 W. Collins Avenue, Orange, CA 92867.   Approximately 30 minutes each; $14.95 per video. Reviewed by Debra Liebrich, Linda Charlebois, and Holly Geeslin, Outreach Services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children, Indiana School for the Deaf.

These visually entertaining videotapes use a sing-along format to pair signs with songs that are familiar to many hearing children, parents, and preschool teachers.  Each tape is approximately 30 minutes long and includes defined breaks between song segments.  Before each sing-along, the new signs are introduced using a zoom-in format and paired with the printed and spoken word.  Technical and creative aspects of the videotape are a definite strength of these productions.  The sound quality is excellent, and the transitions between songs are well done.  We Sign: Play Time is geared to hearing children from the ages of 9 months to 4 years; We Sign: Fun Time is promoted for hearing children ages two and up. 

The video sleeves state that the videos contain American Sign Language (ASL) combined with song lyrics; however, the signing throughout each video includes no grammar or inflection.  Most of the signed portions of the lyrics are incomplete and do not accurately reflect the English lyrics.  The individual signs are taken from ASL, but the signed lyrics consist of single words or brief word combinations that do not illustrate grammar from ASL. Children and adults watching these videotapes may learn a small single sign vocabulary, but these materials are not considered to be an accurate linguistic model of American Sign Language.

These two videotapes are fun and light-hearted and could be used for hearing children with normal language development, their families, and other caregivers.   Potential audiences include adults and young children who can hear the music and lyrics and who have a desire to learn a small vocabulary of ASL signs. Because there are no open or closed captions of the narration or the song words that are not signed, these materials are not considered appropriate for use with children who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing, families who are Deaf, or hearing families with Deaf children.   Open captions would be a welcome addition that could make these beautifully produced videotapes accessible to the wider community of ASL users.