Summer 2005 Newsletter [2]

Our Second Summer Newsletter

"The Advantages of using sign language with your infant or toddler"

There are many advantages to using sign language with infants and toddlers. As a sign language interpreter I found it only natural to teach my daughter sign language as she was growing up. But at the same time I didn’t realize all of the benefits. Since then I’ve become a Sign2Me presenter and have learned of the advantages that using sign language can bring to your entire family.

As you learn a few simple signs with your infant you will be increasing your child’s cognitive development and as they learn a few signs you are allowing them to express their needs and wants in a way that you can understand. This can often put an end to frustration on the baby and the parent’s part. Before the child is able to speak he is able to communicate effectively. Often a child that signs will speak earlier.
As an infant grows into a toddler there continue to be benefits to learning sign language. Often children that use sign language in the home will grow into active learners that will read and write before school age. They also have larger vocabularies and express a greater interest in book reading.

So far I’ve briefly discussed the benefits to infants and toddlers. Parents also benefit from using sign language. Many of the benefits to the infants also apply to the parents. You feel better as a parent when you are able to understand and respond to your child’s needs. You also gain insight into their thinking and their imagination by using sign language with your child. Temper tantrums are often able to be averted because you’ve been able to end the frustration by understanding what they want.

Childcare facilities also benefit from using sign language. It can really ad a sense of calm to the entire atmosphere of the facility. A lot of the guesswork is removed when working with children when they are able to communicate their needs to their caregivers. Of course, it is ideal if sign language is used at home and at the child’s daycare.

Using sign language at home requires minimal effort on the part of the parent and/or caregivers. Start by learning a few simple basic signs such as “more” and “all done”. Then as your child gets older find signs that match their needs. Perhaps they show an interest in wanting to communicate about their pets or foods they are eating. Attending a class to learn the proper way to sign is best. Learning from a book can be quite frustrating when trying to learn how to use a three dimensional language. A video or book can help refresh your memory afterwards, but it is always best to learn from someone that has sign language experience.

I highly recommend using a program that uses American Sign Language (ASL) and not one that invents signs. If you’ve recently seen the movie “Meet the Fockers” there was a fun example of a child that was able to use ASL signs, and he was quite talented at it! American Sign Language is the third most common language in the United States. So by learning a real language at a small age, they are learning a communication skill that if nurtured will stay with them for a lifetime.

Infant Parent Sign classes now in the Knoxville area- August schedule
When: Monday, August 8th 5:45-7:00

Where: Preschool Cooperative of Knoxville, 1124 Broadway (call 637-3134 for directions)

Cost: $20. for 2 adults of the same family, or working with the same child. On site childcare will be provided by PCK free of charge to families of PCK. A flat rate of $8. per child will be charged for others. Children are welcome to attend.

ChildOrganics Sign2Baby classes are based on Dr. Garcia’s SIGN with your BABY program, which uses American Sign Language. Participants are provided with a special opportunity to discover the possibilities of establishing early effective communication with their babies long before they can speak.

This class is perfect for anyone who has regular contact with a preverbal infant. New parents, grandparents and caregivers will all benefit as they build a special bond with an infant using sign language as a communication tool in the early months.

The ability to communicate early helps children feel empowered and in control of their environment. It also builds a greater trust with adults in their life. By seeing, hearing, and moving their bodies, babies learn about the world around them. Signing is a natural way to incorporate vision, hearing and body movement into communication.

In this one hour fifteen minute class participants will:

Review short and long-term benefits of signing
Receive information on how babies learn and communicate
Practice “modeling” first signs
Discover how to create optimal learning opportunities for infants and toddlers
Discover ways to involve non-parental caregivers

When: Saturday, August 20th 10:00-12:30

Where: Preschool Cooperative of Knoxville, 1124 Broadway (call 637-3134 for directions)

Cost: $25., admission for 2 adults working with the same child. On site childcare will be provided by PCK free of charge to families of PCK. A flat rate of $8. per child will be charged for others. Children are welcome to attend.

This class is also based on Dr. Garcia’s SIGN with your BABY program, using American Sign Language. This class will allow a more thorough overview of the program. Here’s some of the topics we’ll discuss:

Review the benefits of signing
Getting started with first signs
Signing and reading (we’ll read and sign a story together!)
Real life stories about signing babies
Signing and singing
Pre-registration is appreciated

What's New at ChildOrganics

Here are some new items we now have in stock:
Mama Minimo You've seen the small version, now see the larger Mama Version of this Waldorf doll. She is dressed pink and measures approximately one foot high. Made with Egyptian cotton by Under the Nile. $14.00

The Crazy 2 are back. These two silly dolls are very colorful and fun. The set is made and stuffed with organic cotton. $14.00

If you are interested in pre-ordering any of the Sign2Me products. We are offering discounts through the month of August. You can see the products available by visiting: www.Sign2Me.com and clicking on products. We are offering a 20% discount if you order this month. Please do not order from the Sign2Me site to recieve your discount. Email for more details.