Rachel said had they not already been a signing family, she probably would not have even attempted to communicate through sign with Lucy.

Nonetheless, Lucy began to sign along with "Signing Time," despite her physical challenges. Shortly thereafter, Lucy started talking, something the family and doctors never imagined was possible.

Since the first volume was produced in 2002, the pair have produced 26 DVD volumes of "Signing Time" as well as the "Baby Signing Time" series for children 3 months to 3 years old. They also have their own show on PBS.

And Alex and Leah are the stars. Leah can hear now. She was expert at reading lips early on, but at 7 years old she received a cochlear implant that has given her some ability to hear.

"I like the acting part and when we get to dress up, but it's hard to smile all the time," Leah said.

As for the fame and seeing herself on TV, Leah said it just feels normal. "I'm used to it," she said.

Rachel attributes the swift popularity of "Signing Time" to the fact that it works for every child, both hearing and deaf. Many families opt to teach hearing children basic sign language from infancy to jump start communication.

"Kids are communicating long before they are able to verbalize, and motor skills develop long before speech," Rachel said. So even though they are unable to talk, they can still sign what they want, curbing fits and crying.

"If terrible twos and tantrums are an issue that we can basically get rid of, why not?" she said. "The reason they're having tantrums is they know what they want and we don't understand them."

Research has also indicated that introducing sign language to children early improves literacy in hearing children.

Leah said the program also aims to provide hope and support to families who have a child with some hearing impairment. Plus it helps kids become comfortable around hearing-impaired people.

"Kids (who watch the DVDs) feel they have a deaf friend in Leah — they grow up with a deaf friend," Rachel said. "So there isn't that intimidation when they meet someone who is deaf — it's changing how it is to be a deaf child."

• The "Signing Time" program airs Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Fridays at 4 p.m. on PBS. For more information visit www.signingtime.com.

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com