Tiny Hands Talk To Me
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TO SEE A LISTING OF ALL MY CLASSES, PLEASE SCROLL UP AND CLICK ON CLASSES.
TO SEE A DESCRIPTION OF THE TYPES OF CLASSES I OFFER, PLEASE READ BELOW.
Why should you teach your HEARING baby to use ASL Signs as a way to communicate?
Because babies have the desire to communicate long before they are capable of speaking. Around 6 months old they are able to understand spoken language and copy gestures (signs). Some people worry that when you teach a pre-verbal hearing baby to communicate with signs, that it will delay his speech. Research has proven just the opposite...Babies who sign actually speak sooner than their non signing peers.They are also less frustrated because they can tell you what they want and need, before they can talk.
Why choose Baby Signing Time Classes?
Baby Signing Time Instructors are certified by The Signing Time Academy. All Signing Time instructors teach ASL signs in their classes.Babies have the ability to learn ASL signs. By doing so, they are able to communicate with people other than their family. Many adults in the Rochester community know some ASL. Teaching your baby basic ASL signs will allow him/her to communicate with those individuals (teachers,Dr's,police etc.) also.
Baby Signing Time Classes are affordable and you will receive free handouts to take home at the end of each class. You are not required to purchase products to take a class. If you would like to know more about products (CD's, DVDs, flashcards etc. from Signing Time) Simply ask your Signing Time instructor and she will provide you with that information at no cost, or obligation.
Baby Signing Time Class Information...
Sing, Sign and Play Classes: Are recommended for hearing babies 4-24 months old and their caregiver. We will use books, music and playful activities to help adults and babies learn to communicate using simple ASL signs. Each class will have a theme (e.g. bedtime, mealtime,etc). The Caregivers will receive a free handout at the end of each class to take home with the signs from that class. Sing, Sign and Play classes are held at several locations throughout Monroe County. Weekday, weeknight and Saturday classes are usually available. For specific class information please click on the classes link above.
Parent and Caregiver Class: This 2 hour, one-time class is for adults who want to teach hearing babies or toddlers to communicate using simple ASL signs. In 2 hours you will learn everything you need to know to successfully teach the babies or toddlers in your care. I can teach this class in the privacy and convenience of your own home or we can schedule the class at another chosen location. One on one, couple, family, small or large group classes are available. Contact Linda for specific pricing information for this class. For classes outside of Monroe County a flat travel fee "may" be added. Contact Linda to schedule your class. Weekday, weeknight or Saturday time slots are usually available.
Play Group Visits: I will come to your play group to entertain and educate the babies, tots, pre schoolers and adults in your group. For a modest fee I will conduct a 30 minute Sing, Sign and Play Class at your location. You may choose the theme of the class (from my list) and there will be hand outs for each family to take home at the end of the program .
The Benefits of signing with your baby or toddler... Research shows that tots who sign, speak sooner, are less frustrated, have larger vocabularies, are better readers and have higher IQ's. Signing provides long term and short term benefits for your child.
In the 1980's a research study was conducted by PhD Linda Acredolo and PhD Susan Goodwyn.(funded by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Developement) They found that at 2 yrs. old, the babies who signed had 50 morespokenwords in their vocabulary. And the 3 yr. olds could speak and understand at a 4 yr old level. Signing with your baby gives him/her a jump start on language developement!