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"Studies show that a child's memory of the spelling sequence of words is dramatically improved when he or she is taught spelling with [ASL fingerspelling]. Fingerspelling involves both a thinking activity and a physical activity. The two aspects, joined in tandem, generate a powerful influence on the memory." -Marilyn Daniels, "Dancing with Words"
Jana McLean is a certified My Smart Hands instructor for the Markham, Richmond Hill & Toronto West area. Please check out her interview @ http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=20bd06fa395ed76d53b7ab3b3&id=68176a43d0#mctoc3
Click on "Use your signs, baby!" Before I had my daughter, I thought that sign language for babies that could hear was nothing but a silly fad until I saw a video posted on YouTube. Needless to say I was blown away by what I saw, just like the more than 2 million others who have viewed this one video alone. It was then I decided to make signing a part of our family's lives.
I have worked with children for over 15 years and as a Registered Early Childhood Educator and have witnessed first hand –the screaming and yelling and full blown tantrums that children have when the people around them cannot understand what they need. I never thought there could be a way to minimize this stage in a child’s life, but I was wrong. Sign language can change all of that. No more battles over the “wrong” food choice-she tells us what she wants and lets us know what she doesn’t like by using sign language instead of screaming. She even tells us if she wants the lights on or the fan off, and when she’s ready for her bath and bed. I often wonder where we would be if we didn’t teach her sign language? I believe that we would be like other frazzled parents who are dealing with daily tantrums that could have easily been avoided, not to mention the missed communication opportunities they could have shared. Some people wonder if it’s worth it in the long term to sign with their babies and toddlers. While she may not become fluent in ASL (and decide to learn a different second language) or later on decide that speaking is easier than signing (which she will), that is beside the point. What’s important is that she can communicate with us now in a meaningful way until she is able to verbalize her thoughts. It’s also about spending quality time together. We are still amazed that we can have a conversation with our now 1 year old (she started to sign back at 8 months). She can inform us of things that are important to her. She can tell us what she wants and needs. She can share things she sees in books or when we’re out for a walk. There’s excitement on her face when she realizes that we know what she wants and it has built up her confidence and self-esteem – she is eager to explore the world and share what she discovers with us. There’s no better reason than this to start signing with your own baby. About the Author: Sonja Kos is a certified My Smart Hands instructor. My Smart Hands of Durham Region Sign Language Classes for Babies & More! www.mshdurham.com See the article @ http://www.parentsource.ca/01.05.2010/article /2785_Sign_Language_for_Babies__A_Gift_for_Families.html Even Aristotle would have understood the benefits of using sign language!
Join us for a Level 1 class today! We learn over 100 signs and sing fun songs like "I Love to Ride" as seen in this You Tube video. Email or call for more information about joining a class! Remember, Facebook fans receive 10% off the class fee!
http://www.facebook.com/MSHSouthCalgary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQVQlzPzjas If you live in Calgary area, I'd love to have you join me for a class! If you live farther away, there may be a MSH instructor near you. Click here to find one!
http://www.mysmarthands.com/Site/Baby_Signing_Instructors,_Baby_Sign_Teachers,_Workshops.html Use sign language to build storytelling skills in your child! "Long before a child can construct a story in print, it is possible for a child to convey a story in sign language."
Marilyn Daniels, "Dancing with Words" Name signs are a special sign given to someone in the Deaf community, a sign they can use instead of fingerspelling their name. Name signs are a gift from a Deaf person, not something a hearing person makes up for themselves. Follow this link to learn more about names signs and the Deaf community! www.handspeak.com
suggests that kids learn and recall information better when they supplement their speech with Sign Language.
Do you have a group of moms who want to take a signing class but can’t find a location to suit your needs? Then you may be interested in hosting your own signing class! All you need are four moms to hold a class (5 or more moms get a discount). Contact Melody for more details!!
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