My always adventurous 6 year old was watching a movie the other night and saw a woman using sign language. I know there are a thousand books out there to teach it but I was also wondering if anyone knew of anyother resources to help? I have already taught her half the alphabet and she walks around the house sometimes refusing to speak and insisting that she is going to learn to speak sign even if she has to do it on her own! Help!
I can't help you with a resource, but I wanted to tell you that you have a kinesthetic learning on your hands -- you may already know this! I'll bet she would love to learn spelling via sign language. Debra R.
For children, the only one i know is "sign with your baby," book and VHS tape by Joe Garcia. You could probably get it from the library. Although it is geared toward babies and toddlers, it will give you some great ideas. I am training to be a sign language interpreter myself and I have learned through the "Vista" curriculum.
There is a great website called Harris Communications (type in as a search to make sure you get the right one) they are a large resource of books, videos and other products for and about the Deaf and hard of hearing ( which of course includes sign language)
Furthermore there is a woman in Albuquerque who teaches sign to babies and toddlers and perhaps other children, ( she is hearing and i believe her name is Amy too) I will try to find her info. she had an article that came out in mothering mag. so perhaps that wld be a place to start.
Also, i think it wld be great for your daughter to meet some Deaf people. there are some deaf teachers and students at UNM. They might be able to point you toward other resources for ASL (American Sign Language)
My son is two years old and he knows abt. 20 signs.
We do own a couple of sign language books, which my son also loves, but I don't know any way of learning it other than that. Maybe there are deaf teenagers or college students in the area who could come to your house and sign with her?
You guys are AWESOME...I knew I could count on you, spelling word practice what a great idea, I have written down the name to look up on the web, and who'da thought to see about a college student if this really becomes a passion! You guys are like sisters, when it comes to bouncing things off of and I only have a brother! Thanks again!
The Amy who teaches signing (if it's the same Amy I've met) doesn't teach standard signing, but a special set of signs designed to be easy for babies to sign. The idea is that it would be useful for them to be able to communicate that way before they talk. I'm pretty sure that it hasn't much similarity to "real" sign language
You know what I find funny, Baby signs came out and became really popular with the public before Mari was one which was in 98/99. I taught her all the popular baby signs then and she communicated with us before she could speak. It really was amazing. She doesn't remember that I just find it, well, coincidental that her interest has peaked again. Maybe this is her calling? You never know! Thanks for checking into that Elizabeth.
OK, this is one of those really, really eerie coincidences. I hadn't heard or thought of that baby sign language class for at least a year, and what comes into my email inbox today? An email message from Amylee Udell (that's her name!). Her web site is http://www.sign2speak.com and her email is sign2speak@sign2speak.com for anyone interested in teaching her baby to sign.
Hi Amy! Sorry to bombard u with info, and i know u said "other resources, but I found a really cool website that has books for reading level 4-8 yrs., in which English and ASL are integrated. I have never seen such a thing and was so impressed that I wanted to share. The website is http://www.talkinghandsasl.com/books/index.html
Another thought i had wld. be to contact the "outreach Co-ordinator" at NMSD(new mexico school for the Deaf) I don't know the name of the one in ABQ, but in Santa Fe NMSD, she is Cindy Huff. You cld. find the ABQ. info at their website.
Again, good luck. Ally (oh i forgot, Mom to Levi, 2yrs.)
Hi there! I'm Amylee and I teach the Sign2Speak classes. I just wanted to stop in and respond with a few points and perhaps guide Amy in the right direction to help Mari. First, I do, in fact, teach "real" sign language signs. The Sign with your Baby program developed by Joseph Garcia is STRONGLY based in ASL. But I don't teach ASL with all its grammar, full sentences, etc. I teach hearing families the key signs with communicate with their babies and young children. There are some other baby sign language programs out there, though, that do not use the actual ASL signs and I would encourage everyone looking at taking classes to investigate this!
Now, I have taught classes with young homeschoolers. I had a mom whose girl (about five) was very interested in sign languge, so she attended and learned TONS of signs. I told them what I'd like to pass along to Amy: if Mari expresses interest further in ASL, you should definitely look into the UNM Continuing Education classes, which invite families to attend. But my classes are a nice intro to vocabulary and I use lots of music and games, so I think she'd enjoy herself. With my last homeschooler, I reduced their price and let them skip the first session, as it was focused on introducing parents to the hows and whys of using signs with babies.
I use in my classes a great series of videos/DVDs that can really teach kids lots of signs. The music is fantastic and everything is definitely ASL. I did a lot of research to choose what products I wanted to offer and these were heartily approved by everyone in the Sign2Me Presenters' Network. It's the Signing Time series and my kids LOVE them! I would be happy to lend you a tape to see if Mari would enjoy it.
I also just did a Sign and Sign storytime at the Ernie Pyle library. I use puppets, music, stories, felt board, etc. If there are many of you who would be interested, I would consider doing something similar for your group.
Oh...I hope I haven't broken any posting rules. I've actually visited this site several times in the past as I look at homeschooling my girls, who are still quite young. But, I figured it'd be OK since the thread was discussing my classes and I could provide some help to the orginal poster!
WOW! I never thought I'd have such a GREAT response. You guys are always there for me! A special thanks to Amylee! Not only do I recieve all this helpfull info from friends but to have direct contact with the teacher! All I can say is that this is by far the best source for information I have EVER encountered! I will contact you be e-mail Amylee and a BIG thanks to all of you!
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