The latest release in the delightfully clever Blue’s Clues series, All Kinds of Signs takes on a theme that fits the series well: the world of signs. Children receive a cozy introduction to American Sign Language and explore all kinds of nonverbal communication in the form of gestures, body language, and pictorial symbols. This subject is a natural for a show that has always encouraged expression and incorporated gesturing to help involve younger, less verbally experienced children.
The Blue’s Clues series has bent preschool television out of shape–in a very good way. Steve, the human host of this animated world, is craftily clueless enough to inspire children to help him out. He speaks right into the camera, sometimes even taps it, and every episode has him wiping off a paw print from the screen in a creative way–all as if to remind children that it’s TV they are watching. He asks the viewers questions and pauses for answers. With the help of the audience and carefully timed children’s voiced responses, Steve does end up uncovering all three of the blue paw print-stamped clues in the popular Blue’s Clues Game. All the while, he challenges children to think and to predict outcomes rather than to watch passively characters on the screen perform for them. This interactive component, in combination with Steve’s irreverence to the medium, makes this series for preschoolers outstanding.
Consistent with the series, the two episodes presented in All Kinds of Signs are thoughtfully produced and show heaps of respect for preschoolers’ brains. The methods used go beyond rote and actually encourage kids to think for themselves. In the first episode, children follow the clues in order to determine where Blue wants to eat her snack. Along the way, kids are introduced to directional signs, symbols, and picture clues. A special treat involves a "skidoo" into a book where an animated character Jane and her hearing-impaired friend Carly ask Steve if he wants to "see" their story told through American Sign Language. Steve asks the audience for help interpreting some of the signs for walking, eating, scared, and more.
The second episode extends the theme with map reading. As children determine where Blue wants to go, they explore the signs and symbols on a map and learn a little geography. Marlee Matlin makes very brief guest appearances before and after the first episode.
Blue’s Clues series is gentle and logical, and yet it manages to add plenty of whimsy through playful songs and visually interesting scenes. Many parents of preschoolers will appreciate how the show draws children through an unfolding story and game, encourages them to think and to participate, and trains them to develop their attention spans. While other children’s shows tend to match the short attention spans of young children with short, snappy segments and vignettes, Blue’s Clue’s shows actually help stretch those spans.
Fans will take to this video instantly, and the subject matter may draw in even more devotees. This video is not designed to teach your children how to be experts at sign language; there are a number of videos on the market to help do that job. Instead, its purpose is to demonstrate the power of wordless communication. It does so, with the use of familiar characters, in an entertaining and educational way.
