highly recommended resources that we use
Baby Signing Time!
Baby Einstein - First Sounds
Your Baby Can Read!
Baby Signing Time! 4-Volume DVD Set
Look for it at your local library—this was probably the BEST tool we had for teaching early communication. And unlike other ASL videos, Kai liked these right away, they have super catchy music, and Rachel is very entertaining for babies. I credit THIS program for his learning to talk so quickly.
If the 4-volume set isn't available, try the individual DVDs instead:
Volume 1: It's Baby Signing Time
Your Baby Can Read!
Baby Einstein - First Sounds
Your Baby Can Read!
Your Baby Can Read! 4-Level Kit Box
(now called Your Baby Can Learn!)
Kai really grew to love these videos, especially the parent involvement, songs, and...they work! And I learned great tips from the "Early Learning Workshop" for parents (from the old version, back when it was called "Your Baby Can Read!", but you can watch it here). I credit THIS program to why he began reading so early.
If you can't find the 4-DVD Set, try the individual DVDs instead:
Baby Einstein - First Sounds
Baby Einstein - First Sounds
Baby Einstein - First Sign Language 3-DVD Set
Check your library first if desired. Kai loves the "Miss Bee" character from this one, and the singing Koala. I love getting to hear "hello" and "goodbye" in lots of different languages in the intro and ending, and focus on sounds, like b-b-baby.
If you have Amazon Prime, you can stream them.
Baby Einstein - First Sign Language 3-DVD Set
Baby Einstein - First Sign Language 3-DVD Set
Baby Einstein - First Sign Language 3-DVD Set
These feature Marlee Matlin herself, and are super cute and entertaining, Kai loves them. Look for them at your local library, Netflix, or buy.
If the 3-DVD Set isn't available, try the individual DVDs instead:
Baby Wordsworth
Or if you have Amazon Prime, you can stream them now.
Baby Einstein - First Moves
Baby Einstein - First Sign Language 3-DVD Set
Baby Einstein - First Moves
We used to watch this one on YouTube, but the full version was recently removed. Look for it at your local library. It's cute for teaching movement words like "sit up," "stand," "reach," "roll over," "jump," etc.
If you have Amazon Prime, you can stream them.
Baby Genius Photo Album
Baby Einstein - First Sign Language 3-DVD Set
Baby Einstein - First Moves
Baby Genius - Baby's First Photo Album: My Family & Friends
A photo album for photos of baby's family/friends to help them become familiarized with important faces—but take it a step further! I added the written names of each person on their photo (use a white label, or print the photo with a white boarder and use a black permanent marker), so baby can SEE the names, too. There's a mirror in the back (tip: remove the clear cover on it), so put baby's photo next to it and write their name on the photo.
Priddy Board Books
DK Touch and Feel Flashcards: First Words
DK Touch and Feel Flashcards: First Words
Priddy Board Books: Number, Colors, Shapes; First 100 Words; First 100 Animals
These super colorful, glossy board books were perfect for keeping in Kai's play pen. He loved these books, they kept him occupied for a long time. And I love that they teach the associated word with the image, and colors and numbers, too.
DK Touch and Feel Flashcards: First Words
DK Touch and Feel Flashcards: First Words
DK Touch and Feel Flashcards: First Words
DK Touch and Feel Picture Cards: First Words
These are great, and Kai loved them. Each card has an image of an item or animal, is touch-and-feel for sensory stimulation, plus the written word, plus the back has educational tips for parents, and how to say the word in several other languages.
DK Touch and Feel Flashcards: Animals
DK Touch and Feel Flashcards: First Words
DK Touch and Feel Flashcards: Animals
DK Touch and Feel Picture Cards: Animals
We started with the "First Words" set, and he liked them so much that we got the "Animals" set, too.
BabySignLanguage.com Flashcards
BabySignLanguage.com Flashcards
DK Touch and Feel Flashcards: Animals
Baby Sign Language Flashcards, by babysignlanguage.com
Kai loves these cards to this day. They are high-quality thick cards in a nice box, easy to store and use, with an image and written word on front, and visual of how to sign the word (plus the word) on the back.
You can also check out their website www.babysignlanguage.com for free downloadable flash cards (make your own), and video clips on how to sign word
ASL Learning Mat
BabySignLanguage.com Flashcards
Counting 1-100 Learning Mat
We bought ours at a children's store called Kaleidoscope, but here's a link to one online.
Counting 1-100 Learning Mat
BabySignLanguage.com Flashcards
Counting 1-100 Learning Mat
We bought ours at a children's store called Kaleidoscope, but here's a link to one online. THIS mat was very helpful in teaching Kai to count to 100, because it provided a visual. (Other sources that were super helpful were YouTube videos—see Instant-Watch Videos.)
Wimmer-Ferguson See & Say Board Book
Animal Alphabet Slide & Seek ABCs Board Book
Babies Love ♥ First Words: Lift-a-Flap Book
Wimmer-Ferguson See & Say Board Book
This cute book has simple words like fish, boat, dog, cat, house, sun, baby, and "me" right over a mirror in the back.
Babies Love ♥ First Words: Lift-a-Flap Book
Animal Alphabet Slide & Seek ABCs Board Book
Babies Love ♥ First Words: Lift-a-Flap Book
Babies Love ♥ First Words: Lift-a-Flap Board Book
This fun lift-a-flap book kept Kai busy, he loves flipping the flaps, but unlike other simple 'one-word' baby books, this one has sentences, like, "The car beeps at the...(flip the flap) truck," and "The cats drink the...(flip the flap) milk," so when Kai began reading before age 2, he loved reading these sentences.
Animal Alphabet Slide & Seek ABCs Board Book
Animal Alphabet Slide & Seek ABCs Board Book
Animal Alphabet Slide & Seek ABCs Board Book
Animal Alphabet Slide & Seek ABCs Board Book
This is a fun book that also kept Kai occupied, you slide a flap to reveal the animal. It was great to hear Kai say "J is for Jaguar" and "I is for Iguana" while reading this book (something I credit watching A.J. Jenkin's "A is for Apple" video on Youtube).
The Going To Bed Book (Board Book)
Goodnight Moon + Runaway Bunny - Book Duo
Animal Alphabet Slide & Seek ABCs Board Book
The Going to Bed Book (Board Book) - by Sandra Boynton
A perfect book for reading at bedtime! Shows animals on a boat getting ready for bed—brushing teeth, bathing, getting on pajamas, even exercising. At the end, it shows the boat on the water as the words say, "They rock, and rock, and rock to sleep" (and you can move the book in a rocking motion). Kai loves this book.
Goodnight Moon + Runaway Bunny - Book Duo
Goodnight Moon + Runaway Bunny - Book Duo
Goodnight Moon + Runaway Bunny - Book Duo
Goodnight Moon + Runaway Bunny - Book Duo
We had Goodnight Moon on our wish list for Kai, but had never heard of Runaway Bunny, until a family member gave us this gift set. Runaway Bunny quickly became a favorite, as well as Goodnight Moon. To this day, Kai loves them both, great for bedtime, and easy for Kai to read by himself. Note: The same bunny character is in each book.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear (Board Book)
Goodnight Moon + Runaway Bunny - Book Duo
Goodnight Moon + Runaway Bunny - Book Duo
Brown Bear, Brown Bear (Board Book) - by Bill Martin Jr./Eric Carle
Easy to read book, AND easy to sign! Search Youtube for "ASL Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and you'll see. Click HERE for an accurate example. (I may do my own at some point, too.) It's ease in reading is perfect for young readers, this was one of Kai's first books he read on his own.
DK Baby Touch and Feel: Animals (board book with a cushy cover)
DK Baby Touch and Feel: Animals (board book with a cushy cover)
DK Baby Touch and Feel: Animals (board book with a cushy cover)
DK Baby Touch and Feel: Animals (Board Book with cushy cover)
Just a cute book with simple words, but Kai liked it, and when he first started reading words (before age 2), this is one of the books he read.
My First Touch and Feel Book: ABC Alphabet Fun (Board Book)
DK Baby Touch and Feel: Animals (board book with a cushy cover)
DK Baby Touch and Feel: Animals (board book with a cushy cover)
My First Touch and Feel Book: ABC Alphabet Fun
We found this one at Toys R Us, which is now going out of business, so here's a link to it on Amazon (above). More than words, each page has a rhyming sentence for each letter, and touch-and-feel images. Very bright and colorful board book. Larger than your average board book, at about 8 x 9 inches.
Mama's Milk
DK Baby Touch and Feel: Animals (board book with a cushy cover)
Stories in Stitches: Itsy Bitsy Spider & Other Nursery Rhymes
Mama's Milk - by Michael Elsohn Ross/Ashley Wolff
Kai LOVED this book, it was one of our daily readings for over a year, and he still loves it to this day, especially now that he can read. I'd read it at bedtime, and it'd make him want to nurse and snuggy with mama. He'd always make the elephant sound when he saw the elephant. It also educates baby animals names (did you know baby platypus' are called "puggles"?) Paper pages, so for parents to read to baby. Perfect for nursing moms!
Stories in Stitches: Itsy Bitsy Spider & Other Nursery Rhymes
Stories in Stitches: Itsy Bitsy Spider & Other Nursery Rhymes
Stories in Stitches: Itsy Bitsy Spider & Other Nursery Rhymes
Stories in Stitches: Itsy Bitsy Spider & Other Nursery Rhymes
My hubby found this at Target, though I don't see it now, only this other one, so here's a link to Amazon (above). I didn't like it at first because the words to Itsy Bitsy Spider are different than the version I grew up with; however, all the rest are the same, and Kai really LOVED this book at bedtime (he'd ask for it), loving us to sing all the rhymes, such as Miss Polly Had a Dolly, Old King Cole, Five Little Speckled Frogs, Wee Willie Winkie, Rock-a-Bye Baby, I'm a Little Teapot, and more. Warning: It has Three Blind Mice (I prefer to skip this one, as the lyrics have their tales chopped off by the farmer's wife...not very nice).
Hop on Pop (full version, paper pages)
Stories in Stitches: Itsy Bitsy Spider & Other Nursery Rhymes
Hop on Pop (full version, paper pages)
To this day, one of Kai's favorite books, he will pull it out and read it even when nobody is looking. He has many favorite parts in this book, like Pat sitting on everything, Pop getting hopped on, and when Mr. Brown goes flying off the page. Learning opportunities include concepts, too, like upside down, family members, etc. Easy to read and learn sound patterns from, with so many rhyming words (e.g., pat, cat, sat, hat, bat, that; all, tall, small, ball, fall, wall; etc.) You can get this in board book version, but it's a "shortened" version. This paper page one is the full story.
Opposites (Board Book)
Stories in Stitches: Itsy Bitsy Spider & Other Nursery Rhymes
Hop on Pop (full version, paper pages)
Opposites (Board Book) by Sandra Boynton
This book makes it easy to teach early concepts of opposites, such as big/small, short/tall, heavy/light, day/night, etc. Kai liked this book and learned from it, which is why I'm recommending it. Any time we can, we incorporate ASL hand signs, as we did with this book. Kai especially liked whisper/shout because we'd whisper "whisper," then (not too loud) SHOUT the word "shout," and he'd laugh.
Signing Time! Series 1 & 2
Signing Time! Series 1 & 2
Signing Time! Series 1 & 2
These are expensive, but might be at your library. Note: If your library doesn't have them, see if they let you search/request from other libraries (our does). Also check Netflix (they were on there for a while). But if you do buy, it's SO worth it—for baby AND parents (it's great to be able to sign to your spouse or child across a room, or out a window). These ones are for AFTER baby has done "Baby Signing Time!" for at least 6 months. We started these around 1 year old, and they worked amazing for Kai (and us).
Leap Frog: Phonics Farm
Signing Time! Series 1 & 2
Signing Time! Series 1 & 2
We watch this from Netflix instant watch, but it's also at our library. This one teaches early reading skills with phonics and cute characters.
Leap Frog: Number Land
Signing Time! Series 1 & 2
Potty Time! by Rachel Coleman
Also on Netflix instant watch (or at least at time of writing this), but also at our library. This one teaches counting from 1-10, also counting by 2s. It's a great start, but don't stop there! Get that Counting 1-100 learning mat, and watch the counting videos on Youtube, and you'll be amazed what your child can do.
Potty Time! by Rachel Coleman
Potty Time! by Rachel Coleman
Potty Time! by Rachel Coleman
We watched this on YouTube and Kai liked it, as usual with Rachel Coleman, her songs are super catchy and videos fun to watch. YouTube didn't have the complete version, so we bought the DVD.
Potty (Board Book)
Potty Time! by Rachel Coleman
Potty (Board Book)
Potty, by Leslie Patricelli (Board Book)
Gifted to us, this book turned out to be a favorite of Kai's. He loved reading it over and over again, especially the page where baby makes an "O" face (when the pee and poo finally come), and the parents shout, "Hooray!" and it ends with a bunch of undies.
Ian's New Potty
Potty Time! by Rachel Coleman
Potty (Board Book)
Ian's New Potty - by Pauline Oud
We found this gem at our local library, and Kai liked it so much that we ended up checking it out on repeat for about a year (should've just bought it, LOL). We still occasionally do, since he still likes it so much. Great potty training book, lots of talk of being a "big boy," and example of being loving, supportive, and understanding for a potty accident.
Note: The author has one for girls too, called Sarah on the Potty.
Once Upon a Potty (for Him) DVD
Alphabet Fridge Magnets, Upper + Lower Case (and no small magnets!)
Once Upon a Potty (for Him) DVD
Once Upon a Potty (for Him) DVD
This is short and sweet, but effective. Kai liked it, and he still sings the theme song to this day! We found this at our local library.
Note: There's also one for girls, called Once Upon a Potty - For Her.
Potty Time with Bear
Alphabet Fridge Magnets, Upper + Lower Case (and no small magnets!)
Once Upon a Potty (for Him) DVD
Bear in the Big Blue House - Potty Time with Bear
We found this at our library, but you can also buy it here. Bear is super friendly and cute, and Kai likes Tutter the little mouse. Not as effective for Kai as Elmo's Potty Time or Potty Time! with Rachel Coleman, but was still a worthy addition, especially worth seeing Kai laugh his butt off when Bear sniffs at the screen, LOL.
Alphabet Fridge Magnets, Upper + Lower Case (and no small magnets!)
Alphabet Fridge Magnets, Upper + Lower Case (and no small magnets!)
Alphabet Fridge Magnets, Upper + Lower Case (and no small magnets!)
We received these as a gift, and they have been fantastic! At every opportunity, we use these to spell words. If Kai is eating pineapple in his highchair, we'll write "pineapple". If you get a second set, you can write sentences or longer words. We have two unmatching sets, but it works. Also, certain letters turned upside or sideways give you more letters.
Lisa Loeb Nursery Rhyme Parade! (Amazon Prime Instant Watch)
Lisa Loeb Nursery Rhyme Parade! (Amazon Prime Instant Watch)
Alphabet Fridge Magnets, Upper + Lower Case (and no small magnets!)
Lisa Loeb Nursery Rhyme Parade! (on Amazon Prime Instant Watch)
Searching for nursery rhymes for Kai, we found this on Amazon, and it's a real gem! Now, any time a video doesn't show words, I like to put on the Closed Captioning (CC) so Kai can see the words. (I do that a lot.) I do it on this one, too.
Hohner Glockenspiel (sometimes called a Xylophone)
Lisa Loeb Nursery Rhyme Parade! (Amazon Prime Instant Watch)
Hohner Glockenspiel (sometimes called a Xylophone)
Hohner Glockenspiel (sometimes called a Xylophone)
Music is important for brain development, and I liked this glockenspiel by Hohner because it was actually on-key (many other brands aren't, check those reviews!) The keys match the song "Do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do" and we'd play along to it when Baby Einstein's "First Sounds" was on.
Time To Tell Time - Learning Mat
Lisa Loeb Nursery Rhyme Parade! (Amazon Prime Instant Watch)
Hohner Glockenspiel (sometimes called a Xylophone)
Time to Tell Time - Learning Mat
We bought this at the same time as the ASL mat, and the Counting 1-100 mat, but he didn't start picking up on telling time until just recently (around age 2 1/2). We bought our at children's store, Kaleidoscope, but you can also get it here.
VTech Touch & Teach Word Book
Fisher-Price Smart Stages Tablet (Alphabet Tablet)
VTech Touch & Teach Elephant Book
This electronic educational book was gifted to us. Kai really liked it. One of the first videos I have of him reading is with this book, at age 23 months. It was a good tool. His was orange, but it also comes in pink.
VTech Touch & Teach Elephant Book
Fisher-Price Smart Stages Tablet (Alphabet Tablet)
VTech Touch & Teach Elephant Book
VTech Touch & Teach Elephant Book
Similar to the VTech Touch & Teach Word Book with the bears, but not the same. And has a cute song Kai likes when you open it up, "Elephant wants you to go on a learning adventure... Open the book! It's time to explore... Yay!"
Fisher-Price Smart Stages Tablet (Alphabet Tablet)
Fisher-Price Smart Stages Tablet (Alphabet Tablet)
Fisher-Price Smart Stages Tablet (Alphabet Tablet)
Fisher-Price Smart Stages Alphabet Tablet
This electronic toy was a gift. Since we were already working on teaching him the alphabet (using ASL hand signs, and phonetic sounds for each letter) this tablet provided additional fun and learning for Kai.
And even gold.
OTHER - FREE ONLINE TOOLS WE USE
LearningGamesForKids.com - Alphabet Games
LearningGamesForKids.com - Alphabet Games
LearningGamesForKids.com - Alphabet Games
https://www.learninggamesforkids.com/alphabet-games.html
This website offers free games and videos to help kid learn. This particular link above is for "Alphabet Games"—click any letter, and you'll see a game called "Read-A-Word." That is the one we used most. It will pronounce a word, then tell you to find that word out of four (4) options. Let baby/toddler point to the word, while you operate the mouse. (You can also teach him/her to use the mouse later, but we kept the focus on reading in the beginning.) You'll also find printouts under each letter. Remember, there are no failures—it's all just learning! Keep it super positive and encouraging.
Keyboarding Game: Cup Stacking
LearningGamesForKids.com - Alphabet Games
LearningGamesForKids.com - Alphabet Games
http://www.wordgametime.com/games/cup-stacking-typing-game
This game helps teach the concept of pressing letters on a keyboard. I was amazed to see Kai do this at just age 2, and now he can type his name on a keyboard.
We first found this at LearningGamesForKids.com, however, their link for it is messed up right now, so I found a working version at this other site (link above).
ABCya.com - Cup Stacking
LearningGamesForKids.com - Alphabet Games
ABCya.com - Cup Stacking
http://www.abcya.com/cup_stack_typing_game.htm
This is just another version of Cup Stacking that I found through another website while searching for "Cup Stacking."
Just an interesting side note... I found ABCya.com through an Elementary School website that has links for their students K-6, and I noticed they even teach Computer Coding to kindergarteners today?! I am finding schools to be more computer-based than ever before, even hearing from teachers that kids are no longer taught cursive handwriting, as the focus is more on keyboarding now. Gee....
Education.com
WorksheetFun.com
ABCya.com - Cup Stacking
So many great resources here! The "free" version limits you to only three (3) downloads per month. It's a small fee to sign up for unlimited access, but I haven't done it yet, I just use the free monthly downloads. Mark your calendar so you don't forget!
Writing Practice (Tracing Letters): https://www.education.com/worksheets/recognizing-letters/
ASL Fingerspelling Printouts:
https://www.education.com/worksheets/asl+fingerspelling/
Reading Comprehension:
https://www.education.com/worksheet/article/smooth-reading-1/
And SO much more!
WorksheetFun.com
WorksheetFun.com
WorksheetFun.com
Lots of great worksheets here! Some for writing practice... spelling... shapes... counting... math... teaching fractions with coloring... and SO much more! Absolutely free, and appears to have no download limit at this current time.
MathIsFun.com
WorksheetFun.com
WorksheetFun.com
https://www.mathsisfun.com/worksheets/kindergarten.php
These free math worksheets start at "Kindergarten"—but keep your mind open, and don't think that kids must be in Kindergarten to LEARN Kindergarten-level stuff—not true! You can start teaching them math very early (we did). Yes, it will advance their skill level and knowledge, but also their confidence and ability to move forward in this world. It's excellent preparation, and early brain development. So go ahead and check out these free and fun pre-K math worksheets. They make counting easy for kids.