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Baby, give me a sign!
Posted on Tue, February 27th, 2007
Written by: ,
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Local woman teaches parents and babies how to communicate with gestures.
Parents of infants know all too well the difficulty and anxiety that comes with trying to respond to their child’s needs or wants and not getting it right.
Sweeping across the country is a movement that may be putting an end to that. Researchers are finding that parents who use sign language with their infant children are better able to meet their child’s needs and requests.
Laura Biggs of Austin, Texas said signing made a difference in the way in which she was able to communicate with her adopted daughter. Biggs began using sign language with the 2-year-old in her native China, the day after the adoption.
“She picked the signs up very quickly, and we believe we have avoided a lot of frustration using them,” said Biggs. “Although her English is coming along well, we still use signs with her. We have had a blast communicating in this way.”
Early childhood development researcher Dr. Joseph Garcia, author of ‘SIGN with your BABY,’ has developed a system in which parents and children communicate using American Sign Language. Sign2me, a national company, is using Garcia’s research and book as the basis for their training system designed to “empower and meet the needs of babies.” This is a program that is designed specifically for hearing babies and hearing parents.
The company has independent contractors all over the country providing parent presentations, workshops and playgroups to teach the concepts and skills Garcia details in his book.
One Capital District mother was so impressed by the research that she has signed on to be an independent contractor in the greater Albany area.
“I found out about all of the benefits of using sign language with your hearing child; like increased vocabulary and communication skills, less frustration and temper tantrums, increased self-esteem and even a higher IQ,” said Kim Taylor-DiLeva. “I wanted to have the opportunity to give this to my daughter and it didn’t look like there was anyone in the area to help me with it.”
Taylor-DiLeva recently completed the requirements to become a presenter with Sign2Me which included taking an American Sign Language Course. As an educator for over 10 years, Taylor-DiLeva said the role of teacher is one that comes naturally to her.
“I am used to the role of teacher, both to adults and to children,” she said. “I find that I am now just teaching a different subject area than I was before. I am used to using stories and songs with children in order to enhance or improve their knowledge. I am doing the same thing but in an even better way by adding sign language to what I was doing before.”
Information provided by Sign2Me suggests that Garcia’s method teaches children (and the adults in their lives) simple gestures that are indicative of basic ideas. Babies understand the concepts of “more,” “eat,” and milk.”
By using the signs associated with the concepts, Garcia’s research suggests both the parents and children are less frustrated and enjoy a better parent/child bond. Sign2Me suggests children using the system will develop their verbal language quicker.
“I wish someone had told me about the benefits of signing and had offered a sign language playgroup to me three years ago,” laments Taylor-DiLeva, who recalls difficulty communicating with her now 5-year-old son. “He started receiving speech-language therapy at the age of 2 -- because he only had a vocabulary at that time of two to three words. We had no way of communicating with each other. His temper tantrums would last so long and were so frequent, that we would often both sit on the floor and cry.”
Taylor-DiLeva hopes that her expertise and knowledge will help others experience less of that frustration and instead “have even more enjoyment with their young children because of the ability to communicate with them.”
Through Kim’s Signing Solutions, parents, caregivers, and educators will be able to learn and experience firsthand the benefits of using sign language with young children.
Taylor-DiLeva hopes her presentations and playgroups will not only help people get started using sign language but also assist them in continuing it in their daily life.
“Research has shown that using American Sign Language is beneficial for ages six months through as high as sixth grade,” said Taylor-Di-Leva.
Infants through preschool age children have been shown to increase their vocabulary, experience less frustration and have better communication skills. She said preschoolers through early school age children benefit from signing because of the “visual and kinesthetic way of learning their alphabet, sight words and spelling skills.”
Although the research related to signing with young children came about in the late 90’s, Taylor-DiLeva said it has not been well publicized resulting in few qualified instructors to guide parents through the process. Taylor-DiLeva is one of only 26 independent contractors Sign2Me has in New York. She is available for speaking engagements at one-time events; to conduct workshops for area teachers, child care providers, and parents and has established regular playgroups in the local area.
More information regarding the research and history of Sign2me is available on their website, www.Sign2Me.com. To contact Taylor-DiLeva who serves Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady counties, call 438-8036. Her Web site is kimssigningsolutions.com or you can e-mail her at kim@kimssigningsolutions.com.
Although animals are a still a big part of 4-H, these days members learn public speaking and other skills that prepare them for adulthood.
Readers had this to say
Nobody has made any comments about this yet... you could be the first. Comment about this article.
Posted on Tue, February 27th, 2007Written by: ,
email:
Local woman teaches parents and babies how to communicate with gestures.
Parents of infants know all too well the difficulty and anxiety that comes with trying to respond to their child’s needs or wants and not getting it right.
Sweeping across the country is a movement that may be putting an end to that. Researchers are finding that parents who use sign language with their infant children are better able to meet their child’s needs and requests.
Laura Biggs of Austin, Texas said signing made a difference in the way in which she was able to communicate with her adopted daughter. Biggs began using sign language with the 2-year-old in her native China, the day after the adoption.
“She picked the signs up very quickly, and we believe we have avoided a lot of frustration using them,” said Biggs. “Although her English is coming along well, we still use signs with her. We have had a blast communicating in this way.”
Early childhood development researcher Dr. Joseph Garcia, author of ‘SIGN with your BABY,’ has developed a system in which parents and children communicate using American Sign Language. Sign2me, a national company, is using Garcia’s research and book as the basis for their training system designed to “empower and meet the needs of babies.” This is a program that is designed specifically for hearing babies and hearing parents.
The company has independent contractors all over the country providing parent presentations, workshops and playgroups to teach the concepts and skills Garcia details in his book.
One Capital District mother was so impressed by the research that she has signed on to be an independent contractor in the greater Albany area.
“I found out about all of the benefits of using sign language with your hearing child; like increased vocabulary and communication skills, less frustration and temper tantrums, increased self-esteem and even a higher IQ,” said Kim Taylor-DiLeva. “I wanted to have the opportunity to give this to my daughter and it didn’t look like there was anyone in the area to help me with it.”
Taylor-DiLeva recently completed the requirements to become a presenter with Sign2Me which included taking an American Sign Language Course. As an educator for over 10 years, Taylor-DiLeva said the role of teacher is one that comes naturally to her.
“I am used to the role of teacher, both to adults and to children,” she said. “I find that I am now just teaching a different subject area than I was before. I am used to using stories and songs with children in order to enhance or improve their knowledge. I am doing the same thing but in an even better way by adding sign language to what I was doing before.”
Information provided by Sign2Me suggests that Garcia’s method teaches children (and the adults in their lives) simple gestures that are indicative of basic ideas. Babies understand the concepts of “more,” “eat,” and milk.”
By using the signs associated with the concepts, Garcia’s research suggests both the parents and children are less frustrated and enjoy a better parent/child bond. Sign2Me suggests children using the system will develop their verbal language quicker.
“I wish someone had told me about the benefits of signing and had offered a sign language playgroup to me three years ago,” laments Taylor-DiLeva, who recalls difficulty communicating with her now 5-year-old son. “He started receiving speech-language therapy at the age of 2 -- because he only had a vocabulary at that time of two to three words. We had no way of communicating with each other. His temper tantrums would last so long and were so frequent, that we would often both sit on the floor and cry.”
Taylor-DiLeva hopes that her expertise and knowledge will help others experience less of that frustration and instead “have even more enjoyment with their young children because of the ability to communicate with them.”
Through Kim’s Signing Solutions, parents, caregivers, and educators will be able to learn and experience firsthand the benefits of using sign language with young children.
Taylor-DiLeva hopes her presentations and playgroups will not only help people get started using sign language but also assist them in continuing it in their daily life.
“Research has shown that using American Sign Language is beneficial for ages six months through as high as sixth grade,” said Taylor-Di-Leva.
Infants through preschool age children have been shown to increase their vocabulary, experience less frustration and have better communication skills. She said preschoolers through early school age children benefit from signing because of the “visual and kinesthetic way of learning their alphabet, sight words and spelling skills.”
Although the research related to signing with young children came about in the late 90’s, Taylor-DiLeva said it has not been well publicized resulting in few qualified instructors to guide parents through the process. Taylor-DiLeva is one of only 26 independent contractors Sign2Me has in New York. She is available for speaking engagements at one-time events; to conduct workshops for area teachers, child care providers, and parents and has established regular playgroups in the local area.
More information regarding the research and history of Sign2me is available on their website, www.Sign2Me.com. To contact Taylor-DiLeva who serves Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady counties, call 438-8036. Her Web site is kimssigningsolutions.com or you can e-mail her at kim@kimssigningsolutions.com.
Although animals are a still a big part of 4-H, these days members learn public speaking and other skills that prepare them for adulthood.
Readers had this to say
Nobody has made any comments about this yet... you could be the first. Comment about this article.