Thursday, December 10, 2009

Hear Me Sign Workshop

It can be so frustrating for both you and your child when your child wants something and is not able to tell you. For that reason, many parents have chosen to teach their babies sign language so that they can begin communicating with their child at an early age. Since babies master using their hands before they obtain all the motor skills required for speech, they will be able to sign their needs and wants to you before they are able to speak. There are many benefits to teaching your child sign language, besides being able to communicate with your child early. Research shows babies who sign:

Speak earlier than non-signers
Experience less frustration
Develop larger vocabularies
Become better readers
Have IQ’s that are at least 10-12 points higher

Teaching sing language to your child is easy. Once your child is able to wave, point and look at an object that has dropped on the floor, they are ready to sign. To teach them a sign, like the word "more" for example, you would start to feed them some oatmeal, stop feeding them and then say "do you want more" while making the sign, and then start feeding them more oatmeal. You can do this later during playtime, while tickling the baby stop tickling and then say do you want "more" and do the sign. Then again at bedtime while reading books: "do you want more stories?" Of course, in order to teach your child sign language, you will need to know the signs yourself.

Our "Hear Me Sign" workshop will teach you common signs that you use every day during mealtime, playtime, bedtime and getting dressed. Once you learn the signs you will be able to reinforce them at home with your child. The workshop is designed for pre-verbal babies, toddlers and their parents, caregivers, and grandparents. Mother-to-be, nannies, teachers, etc. may also attend! The workshop is most appropriate for all children who are between 6 months and 12 months of age and not yet able to articulate. However, adults are welcome on their own and children from birth- 3 are welcome. Signs taught are developmentally appropriate and are based on American Sign Language.

The workshop is this Saturday, December 12, from 10:00-11:30am.

The cost is as follows:

$45 for 1 adult and 1 child
$80 for 2 adults and 1 child
$20 for each additional sibling (no extra charge for multiples)
$30 for 1 adult

Registration is required. Please register here.

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