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Adventures in Baby Signing

Milk

4/21/2012

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Here is a photo from a MSH grad! She is signing "milk". Thanks for sharing mom :)

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Signing with B

4/21/2012

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orange (in our region both the colour and the fruit)- squeeze your dominant hand in front of your mouth (same sign as milk but the placement is different)

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Signing with B

4/21/2012

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penguin - walk like a penguin waddling back and forth

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From a MSH participant:

4/19/2012

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My son has just started signing like crazy! Still not talking, but he at least signs with us. He's mastered milk, more, eat, bath, bird, bed, apple, his own version of cracker and cookie.  It's awesome! Honestly, I don't know what I'd do if he didn't sign.  He's obviously not ready to talk and I know there's nothing wrong with his hearing or his comprehension.  This would have turned into quite a frustrating time otherwise.  But, we can communicate, and so can
he.  So, I love it, and can't thank you enough.

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Looking for a Baby Sign Class? Consider these things before you commit!

4/15/2012

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As baby signing starts to increase in popularity there are more and more options available for signing classes. What is a parent to do? How do you decide which class is the right fit for you? Here are just a few things to consider before you register for a signing class (or any class).

Before you spend any money on a class, ask if the instructor or company offers demo classes. This is a great way to check things out before you make any sort of commitment. Ask questions! How long is the class? What materials are included? Are there any “extra” costs? What happens if you need to miss a class? Is there an opportunity to review the material missed? What if you need to withdraw from the class? These are all very important questions when you are committing to a class or classes – babies keep us on our toes, our schedules can change at any moment so it is important to ask about the “what ifs”.

Attending a demo class also gives you the opportunity to get to know the instructor. You want to be sure that you are comfortable with the person who is teaching the class. In some cases you may be spending 6 or 8 weeks with this person. Be sure that you feel like it is a positive environment where you and your little one will learn and flourish. Also consider the experience of the instructor. Just like any other class you would register for, look for someone who is qualified to be teaching baby signing. Unfortunately there are many businesses out there who will hire anyone who pays the instructor fees.  When I was looking into becoming an instructor I was really disappointed to find that more often than not, this was the case. Look for someone who has a background in ASL and teaching. This way you are sure to get your money’s worth!

Ask yourself a few addition questions to determine what’s important to you. Do you want a class that will teach real ASL signs? Do you want to support a local business? Is it important that the business has awards or has been recognized for their curriculum? Are they teaching something that is relevant for you? Are there additional classes available if you want to continue classes? Figure out what is important to you and your family and then decide which class is the best fit and have fun!

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Free Demo Class!

4/11/2012

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If you've considered taking a class but you'd like to get a little taste of what it would be like before you sign up, this demo class is for you!

Imagine communicating with your baby before he or she can even speak. Baby sign language reduces frustration, accelerates verbal development and strengthens cognitive skills. It also enhances child-parent bonding through time spent teaching signs to your baby.

Research shows that preverbal infants can communicate through the use of sign language long before they can verbalize their needs. We will give you the skills and knowledge you will need to communicate with your preverbal, hearing baby. So come and take a class with My Smart Hands™ and learn how to sign with your baby!

Date: April 27, 2012
Time: 10:00am - 10:45am
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Still Signing!

4/9/2012

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Lots of times I met parents that say "oh, my child is older so we don't need to sign". While it's true that you don't need to sign with a child that is verbal, I still think it is a great idea. I still continue to sign with my 3 and a half year old daughter for several reasons. Here are just a few...

Number 1: It's fun!

We have a great time signing with each other. I love watching my daughter figure out the sentence I have signed. You can literally see that she is trying to figure out this "puzzle" I have given her.

Number 2: Builds self-esteem!

My daughter feels and displays great pride in figuring out the "puzzle" I have given her. I can see that she feels a sense of accomplishment when she has determined what it is that I am communicating.

Number 3: Continues to bond us as a family.

We have a "secret" language! How cool is that??

Number 4: Eliminates embarrassment.

I am able to sign to my daughter reminders like "please", "thank you", "stop", "no", "potty", "are you ok?". I cannot stress how much this has helped our relationship! My partner often forgets to sign these things and I have seen the results! When she is embarrassed, we are more likely to have a meltdown on our hands. Signing really does help to eliminate tantrums!!

Number 5: Promotes Literacy.

At 3 and a half, we are starting to fingerspell and sound out words! We incorporate signing into all of our homeschooling activities. When we read, when we practice writing, counting, etc. Providing your preschooler with multiple intelligences (visual, written, spoken, etc) really gives your child an advantage in learning!

Number 6: A Second Language.

ASL is a formally recognized second language! It is the 4th most used language in North America!
Before I became a baby signing instructor, I used to be an ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor. I often joke with people that English is my daughter's second language as her first language was ASL!!
Keep Signing! The benefits are endless :)


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