The Daily Goodie Bag: Treasure Valley Family Signing Review & Giveaway

Website: www.treasurevalleyfamilysigning.com

Facebook: Treasure Valley Family Signing

Blog: treasurevalleyfamilysigningblog.blogspot.com

Email: krissy@signingtimeacademy.com

About the Owner:

Having lived in the Treasure Valley for over 10 years, Krissy Fulton teaches classes with basic American Sign Language Vocabulary (based on the award winning Signing Time curriculum) to families & professionals of all ages. With a background in Music Therapy, she has been a musician/teacher for over 18 years in a myriad of different settings. These include (but are not limited too) psychiatric settings, medical settings, public/private/homes school settings, & nursing homes. One of her greatest joys in life is the honor of being a ‘stay at home mom’ where she uses these skills to love on her two sons: Braydon (her 3 year old bio son) and Teshome (her 20 month old adopted son from Ethiopia)

Having been signing ASL Vocabulary since High School, it was quite natural for ASL to be the first language she introduced to both of her sons. Signing with her eldest son simply helped reap the rich benefits of signing with a hearing son. When they adopted their youngest son at 7 months old, signing not only became an invaluable tool for attachment but it also created a simpler common language for them to communicate, reducing frustration as they were able to meet the cycle of needs much quicker. Later when the same son was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, ASL vocabulary became his primary language.

As a Certified Master Signing Time Instructor she is passionate about helping other families harness the power of communication through ASL.

Review:
Have you ever wanted to learn how to do Sign Language, but never had the tools to do it? Maybe you thought it would be too hard to learn on your own. Well, have no fear!! Treasure Valley Family Signing can help you!!

They are based around Boise, Idaho (Treasure Valley Area) and have teamed up with the new indoor play place "Just Kid'n Around" to do weekly signing classes for children and families, as well as field trips!! The curriculum of these classes is based on the PBS Signing Time show which itself has won a TON of regonition including the emmy award nomination, Parents' Choice Award, National Parenting Publicaitons Awards (NAPPA), Childrens Notable Video Award, Telly Award, Dove Foundation Seal of Approval, National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, as well as several others.

Just Kid'n Around can be found at: 2374 E. Cinema Drive Meridian Idaho 83646 (located near the Harley Davison Dealership & Majestic Theater).

They currently offer two Monday classes:
✴Monday’s 10:00 AM Baby Signing Time for ages 0-3
✴Monday’s 11:00 AM Signing Time for ages 3-8

Classes will be 30 minutes long and will include a Day Pass to “Just Kid’N Around” for before and/or after class! A SWEET deal! To find out more about these classes, visit her site!!

Watch this youtube video to see an example of the awesomeness of Signing Times!! My girls loved watching this video and immediately picked up on the sign language. It seems to come natural to them.

I was so excited when Krissy contacted us about a review. The program seemed super fun and our kids LOVE to read! They have tons of books and our home library is constantly growing. When they are reading or looking at their books, they are quiet. And I must say silence is music to my ears! Haha!

I received the 'My First Signs' Book for the Review. It's a very nice board book with 20 pages of great signs to help your child start learning some basic sign language skills. It includes fun colorful illustrations throughout the book. Signs included are: Eat, Milk, Water, Ball, More, Bird, Dog, Cat, Fish, Car, Airplane, Want, Shoes, Flower, Mom, Dad, Baby, Sleep, and Finished.

Madyson with the 'My First Signs' Book

My girls were immediately drawn to the pictures and vibrant colors and words in this book. Within 15 minutes of reading and going over some of the hand movements, they were already picking it up. Madyson is almost 4 and Faelyn is almost 2 years old. I was glad to see when the book arrived that it was a board book... because my two wild toddlers can easily tear paper pages while we are reading them, by accident. You don't have to worry about that with this book. It's very sturdy. And it has a 'glossy' coating - so if your little ones are having a drink or snack while reading it and accidentally spills something on it - no worries! It wipes right off!

Now you may be thinking you don't need to know any sign language. That's not true. You never know when you or your kids might have someone come into your life and that be the only way you have to communicate with them. It's a very useful skill.

Madyson reading the book - you can see the colorful illustrations.

Our whole family has been going over the book and learning some of the basic words. Even my Mom said 'Oh! I want to borrow that book! I've always wanted to learn some Sign Language!'. After we are done with it, we will share it with the rest of our family and let everyone learn something new.

Madyson signing the word 'More'

This book is part of a series. There is My First Signs - Book 1, Playtime Signs - Book 2, and Everyday Signs - Book 3. All of these books go hand in hand and reinforce the DVDs as well.

Buy it: If you shop through Krissy's Signing Time Site, use promo code “save5” when you check out to save 5% on your order! To purchase with a special discount code click here.

Win it: That's right!! One lucky follower will get to call this book their very own! And start teaching your kids some basic sign language words. You may even learn something yourself!

Here's how to enter:
You must first complete the mandatory entry in order to be eligible. After you have done so, you can do as many of the bonus entries as you'd like. These are optional but greatly increase your chances of winning. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. For instance.. following us on Twitter will get you 2 additional entries. If you choose to do that entry, you need to post 2 separate comments, stating you have done so. If you only post once, you're losing out on the additional entry you would get for being a follower. Also, be sure to include your email address with every comment! Without your email address, we are unable to contact you if you win, and we'll have to select another winner.

Mandatory Entry
You must complete BOTH of these entries FIRST, in order to be eligible to win.

"Follow" us via Networked Blogs
"Like" Treasure Valley Family Signing on Facebook, and let her know you entered to win the book, on www.thedailygoodiebag.com

Bonus Entries

"Like" The Daily Goodie Bag on Facebook (1 bonus entry)
Visit Treasure Valley Family Signing's website and tell us something new you learned about them or signing. (1 entry)
Visit: SigningTimeAcademy.com and tell us something you would love to have. (1 Bonus Entry)
Follow The Daily Goodie Bag on Twitter (2 bonus entries)
Tweet about this giveaway and post a link to your tweet. (2 bonus entries daily)
Vote for us at "We're on the Fence". Just click this link (2 bonus entries daily)
Sign up at SHOP IT TO ME (10 bonus entries)
Share this giveaway on Facebook and comment with a link to your post. (2 bonus entries daily)

Giveaway ends April 11th 2011 at 11:59pm (est). Winner will be randomly selected and notified, the following day. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn. Contest open to US residents.
The Daily Goodie Bag received 1 My First Signs Book in order to conduct their review. No other form of compensation was received. The options stated above are that of The Daily Goodie Bag.