Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

December Newsletter

December/Christmas Newsletter is online!

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Sign of the Week - BLACK

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While parents are talking about BLACK Friday, children are seeing the color BLACK all around them. Use the sign for BLACK to describe tires on cars, toys, animal fur, and any other place your child sees BLACK.

Click on link below to see and print poster:  https://www.babysigns.com/pdf/Black.pdf

Learning Categories

"On The Grow" Tip

Teaching categories has a practical use.  I often work with young children who are pretty hard to understand.  Along with improving their articulation, I also teach them ways to get their message across. Using signs/gestures is one way of doing this.  Another way is by telling people the category or subject you are talking about.  For instance, if I am talking about a restaurant and no one understands me, I can say that it's a place where you eat.  Suddenly the field is narrowed and it is much easier for people guess at what you are saying.  Communication can now occur! 

Here  are some links to fun activities online for learning categories from a website called Jacob's Lessons - JacobsLessons.com.  

Matching Categories:   http://www.jacobslessons.com/cm/categorymatching.htm  
Find the one that doesn't belong:   http://www.jacobslessons.com/dsntmtch/dmcat.htm 

Sign of the week - BROWN

Click here to download your free poster

The Baby Signs Sign of the Week is BROWN!  Sign BROWN by sliding "b" hand down cheek.
The sign for BROWN can be used to talk about the turkey and gravy on your holiday table, the animals in your bedtime story, or the leaves that are falling from the trees. Add the sign for BROWN to your signing vocabulary.

Click on the link to see and print the poster:  https://www.babysigns.com/pdf/Brown.pdf

Happy signing!

Making Time Meaningful

"ON THE GROW" TIP:

Here's a wonderful idea on how to adapt an analog clock to help even young children tell time!  It's called a Wondertime Clock.  You can find the artwork needed for this clock here:  Wondertime Clock Picture

 

Sign of the Week - SHOES

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This week's Baby Signs "Sign of the Week" is SHOES.  You won't need to look far to find opportunities to use this sign! Sign SHOES by tapping fists together several times with knuckles up. Children seem to love SHOES. They like to take SHOES off, put SHOES on, and even wear their parent's SHOES. Start practicing the sign for SHOES today!

Happy signing!

Sign of the Week - BLUE and ORANGE

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Colors are one way children begin to classify objects. Teach the signs for colors to give non-verbal children the ability to identify the color of objects.

 BLUE: Gently shake "b" hand. Sign and say the word BLUE when you see BLUE balls, BLUE household items, BLUE articles of clothing or even BLUE cars in a parking lot.

ORANGE: Squeeze fist in front of chin. The sign for ORANGE can be used for the color, ORANGE, or the fruit, ORANGE. It is almost time for leaves to change and pumpkins to appear, so be ready to sign ORANGE a lot!

Download your free copy of this poster

Sign of the Week - WASH

Let's do it all in pictures this time!

Download your free copy of this poster

Download your free copy of this poster here

Sign of the Week - LISTEN

Click here to download this poster

"LISTEN. What do you hear? Do you hear a bird?" This is a common conversation parents initiate with their babies. To sign LISTEN, simply cup your hand behind your ear. By teaching your child the sign for LISTEN, you will be equipping him with the tools to ask you, "What do you hear, mom?"

Happy signing and don't forget to check the calendar for our new classes starting September 8th!

Sign of the Week - LATER

Click here to download this poster

Although children do not fully understand the concept of time, using the sign LATER can help children grasp the idea that something is going to happen in the future. Whether a child is waiting to go to the park, waiting for a parent to return, or waiting for grandma's visit, the sign LATER will help him understand that the answer isn't "no." The answer is... it will happen LATER.  To sign LATER, place "L" hand next to ear and tilt hand forward at wrist.

And to help with learning the concept of time, here's a wonderful idea on how to adapt an analog clock to enable even young children to tell the time!  It's called the Wondertime Clock.  You can find the artwork needed for this clock here:  Wondertime Clock Picture .

Happy signing!

 

Sign of the Week - JUICE

Click here to download this poster

Babies love to drink JUICE. To sign JUICE, make "J" hand in front of body. This sign can be coupled with the sign for apple, orange, or grape to request a certain type of JUICE. As you begin to give your baby JUICE, don't forget to use the sign along with the spoken word.



Don't know the alphabet signs?  You can learn them on Starfall.com, a great site for learning to read! Here's the link http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/sign-abcs/load.htm?f

Happy signing!

Sign of the Week - DIAPER

Click here to download this poster!

To sign DIAPER, rest thumb at side of waist.  Tap thumb twice with first two fingers.

Using a simple sign like DIAPER can help help children to understand the DIAPER changing routine and then progress toward potty training.

Happy Signing!

 Potty Training Kit - $10 OFF!
SHOP NOW!

Offer expires Monday July 30th, 2012

Visit www.pottytrainwithbabysigns.com to learn more about early potty training.

Sign of the Week - FIREWORKS

This summer will bring several opportunities to practice the sign for FIREWORKS. Between Independence Day celebrations, the Olympic Ceremonies, and family vacations, children will see and hear FIREWORKS!  To sign FIREWORKS, hold up your fists with palms facing outward and flick fingers out, alternating hands as if fireworks are exploding.   Use this sign to give children a way to tell you what they see and hear. Giving children a way to talk about the FIREWORKS may help make them less fearful or at least allow you to acknowledge what is causing the fear. Enjoy this fun sign!

Click here to download your free copy of this poster.

Sign of the Week - HOT

The Sign of  the Week is HOT,  definitely a sign and vocabulary word we use frequently here in the desert during the summer!  To sign HOT, cup hand at mouth, then move it down and outward as if flinging hot food from mouth.

The sign for HOT can be an important safety sign. Children can use this sign to let you know the bath water is too HOT; they feel HOT, because of a fever; their feet hurt because the sidewalk is HOT; their car seat is HOT; even that the food on the plate is HOT.

Click here to download your free copy of this poster.

Happy Signing!

Sign of the Week - DADDY

This Sunday is Father's Day so the Sign of the Week is DADDY, a very special person in all of our lives! To sign DADDY, tap forehead with thumb of open hand. Help your child learn the sign for DADDY. It will be a special surprise for DAD!

Click here to download your free copy of this poster

Happy Father's Day!

Sign of the Week - FISH

This week's sign is FISH, a very popular topic of conversation for babies and young children as they seem to find fish quite fascinating!  To make this sign, swim hand forward and smack your lips. Use this sign when you talk about FISH at home, the aquarium, or even at the beach! Don't forget this sign also lets children tell you when they want more FISH crackers!

Click here to download your free copy of this poster

Happy signing!

Sign of the Week - FRUIT

The Sign of the Week is FRUIT.  To make this sign, twist the "F" hand at side of chin. (F is made by touching index finger to thumb to form a circle.)

This is the perfect time of year to teach the sign for FRUIT. FRUIT stands, farmer's markets, even the local grocery store will provide you plenty of opportunities to practice the sign, FRUIT. The next time your baby is hungry ask her if she wants some FRUIT.

Download your free copy of this poster

Tip - Put out a fruit bowl:  Just seeing this poster of fruit makes me want to eat some!  By the same principle, to get your family to eat more fruit, put out the fruit in a fruit bowl and hide the candy and sweets in the fridge.  Out of sight, out of mind!

Happy signing and fruit eating!

Sign of the Week - YELLOW

This week's sign is YELLOW!  Children love to talk about what they see. Teaching the names of colors, like YELLOW, gives children a way to expand their vocabulary. Now your baby can tell you that he sees a duck and that it is YELLOW.  To sign YELLOW, twist "Y" hand in front of body (thumb and pinkie sticking out, middle three fingers folded down).

Click here to download your free poster.

Note:  Many of the color signs use the first letter of the color, so it it very helpful to know the alphabet signs.  You can learn alphabet signs by going on Starfall.com - click here for the link.

Happy signing!

Sign of the Week - BLANKET

The Sign of the Week is BLANKET.  This easy sign is made by bringing fists under chin as if pulling up a blanket. By teaching babies the sign for BLANKET you are giving them a way to communicate their wants and needs - they can ask for a BLANKET when they are cold or as a comfort at bedtime.

Click here to download your free poster of this sign.

Speaking of blankets, I'd like to share with you a wonderful charity called Project Linus that collects and donates blankets made by people in the community to places such as NICU nurseries, shelters, recovery centers, etc.  Their mission is to "provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers"."   Indeed, there is nothing like a warm cozy, blanket made especially for you to make you feel special and loved.  My daughter has a blanket that was crocheted for her by one of the ladies in our church.  It was given to me as a shower gift and my daughter has loved that blanket for over 9 years!  I would tuck it around her so snuggly and tight when she was a baby and she would go right off to sleep just like that!  It has a big hole in the middle of it now and even that was kind of fun because she used it like a poncho for awhile.  This summer I plan to crochet a blanket or two to donate to Project Linus and pass on the "love" and perhaps you would want to as well!

Our local chapter of Project Linus:  Facebook - Project Linus Coachella Valley   Website - PLCV.org


Happy Signing!

May Product Highlight

The Product Highlight for this month is the Complete DVD Series! The Complete DVD Series retails for $99.00 but we have a fantastic deal for you.  This month only you can get it for only $55! That's an out-of-this-world $44.00 discount!  With summer coming around the corner, this is a great learning tool to review and keep fresh the signs you learned in Sign, Say & Play class, or to learn the signs if you have not had the opportunity to attend a Sign, Say & Play class. For the scoop on the latest from the AAP about TV and babies, please click here for the May On The Grow article by Dr. Linda Acredolo.

Retail Price:  $99.00

$55 MAY ONLY! 

Buy now!

.

The Baby Signs Complete DVD Series is a complete set of 7 DVDs:

• My Mealtime Signs DVD teaches the signs for Eat, Drink, More, Milk, Cereal, Bib and All Done.


• My Bedtime Signs DVD teaches the signs for Stars, Moon, Book, Light, Sleep and Love.


• My Bath Time Signs DVD teaches the signs for Bath, Bubbles, Water, Toothbrush, Frog and Duck.


• My Pets Signs DVD teaches the signs for Cat, Dog, Bird, Bunny, Fish and Turtle.


• My Park Signs DVD teaches the signs for Ball, Butterfly, Slide, Flower, Tree and Swing.


• My Getting Dressed Signs DVD teaches the signs for Hat, Coat, Shoes, Socks, Comb and Diaper.


• Bonus: Welcome to the Baby Signs Program Parent DVD with 100-sign Video Dictionary

Preview the Complete DVD Series

I Love You Poem

Happy Mother's Day to all and especially to the new mom's out there! The first Mother's Day is always special!

Here is the "I Love You" poem for you. What better gift could you get from your child for Mother's Day than an "I Love You"? Click on the linked words to see the signs for them. You can teach the signs to your little one so even if they are too young to say "I love you", they can sign it to you!

I LOVE YOU POEM

Every FLOWER

LOVES a BEE

Every BIRD

LOVES a TREEAnd I LOVE YOU!

Every ONE

LOVES a TWO

Every SOCK

LOVES a SHOEAnd I LOVE YOU!

Now try to make up some more verses of your own!

(Print out a copy of the picture of the handout so you can point to the pictures as you sign them.)

Sign of the Week - MOMMY

Happy Mother's Day from your Baby Signs family!  Here's the sign for MOMMY:  Tap chin with thumb of open hand.

Click here to download your free poster of this sign

Sign of the week - BOOK

This week's Sign of the Week is BOOK. To sign BOOK, simply make a book with palms together and then open and close.  With this sign, your child can ask you to read a BOOK to him/her. Often it seems that they want the same book every single night, but the repetition is good for learning and the routine can make bed time easier for both you and your child.

Click here to download your free poster of this sign.

Special Memories:  Books create special memories of time spent together and are great for bonding with your baby. I remember my mother playing tape recordings of my dad reading bed time stories to us while he was away in Vietnam. What a lovely way to keep his memory alive! I think my baby sister still didn't quite understand who that strange man taking HER place in mommy's bed was! 

Books on Video:  Now we can even make videos for our children! Here's a few videos I have made of some of my favorite children's books. 

Library Time:  The library is a great place to practice the sign for BOOK so don't forget to pay them a visit!  Libraries also often have free story times for preschoolers and even babies, so visit the website of your local library or give them a call.

Happy signing!

Sign of the Week - APPLE

The Sign of the Week is APPLE.   To sign APPLE,  twist your bent index finger on cheek.

To see a video clip of this sign, click here -> APPLE
To download your free poster of this sign, click here.


Look for opportunities to talk about apples this week - the supermarket, picture books, at mealtimes.  You can even talk about the color, the taste, and the size of the apples!

How to make a Puzzle Apple:
Here's a little trick we do at our house to keep the apple from going brown when we cut it up for school lunch.  We actually eat it this way all the time now because we like it so much!  Cut apple into a square instead of in wedges - two slices on the right side, two slices on the left side.  Then two slices on the front, then back.  We put it all back together, including the core, and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.  Something about the larger surface area keeps it together better and thus from coming in contact with the air and turning brown.  It is also easier to eat than the traditional wedges.  We call it a Puzzle Apple!  I think the fun name helps make eating healthy food more fun for kids!  (Sometime I'll tell you about our Pizza Egg!)

Happy signing!

Sign of the Week - BABY

Babies love to look at other babies! With this Sign of the Week, your baby can tell you that he or she sees another baby!  Use this sign when you see BABIES in books, at the store, or even when you see a BABY doll!  


To sign BABY, cradle arms with palms facing up and rock them back and forth.

Click here to download your free copy of this poster!

Here's a little song or poem you can sing/say using this sign:

Here's the BABY's ball so big and soft and round,
Here's the BABY's hammer, see how he can pound,
Here's the big umbrella to keep the BABY dry,
And here's the BABY's cradle to rock her lullaby.


Tra la-la la-la la
Tra la-la  la-la
Tra la-la la-la la
Tra la-la la-la


(I love this little song for working on the tongue movement for the /l/ sound!  My little speech kids will just watch me fascinated while I do the tra-la-la's and then they will try it too!)

BeeBo and I will try to make a little video of this song for you so you can see how the tune goes!  Well, you still might have to guess a little, but at least it might help!

_____________________________________

Here's the a little video of the song we promised you!  It's not going to win any awards, but at least you can hear how the song goes!

Sign of the Week - PEAS

Getting children to make healthy food choices can be a challenge especially when it comes to vegetables! Teaching them the signs for different vegetables can make it easier by allowing children to request the vegetables they like, make choices between different vegetables, and even talk about the foods they don't like! Remember that your regular grocery store shopping trip is a great time to teach food vocabulary!

This is how you sign PEAS: Tap index finger across the "peapod" index finger of other hand.

Click here to download your free copy of this poster!

April Newsletter

Our April Newsletter is out!

Click the link below

APRIL 2012 NEWSLETTER

Sign of the Week - BUNNY

The sign of the week is BUNNY! BUNNY: With hand facing backward, wiggle first two fingers at the side of your head.

Click here to download your FREE copy!

Have a wonderful Easter!

Signs for Spring and Easter

Going on an Easter egg hunt? Well it's a great opportunity to help your child learn signs for describing locations such as in, on and under! Using signs for prepositions can really help young children follow directions. Click on these words to see the signs!
Where? in , on, under, over1, over 2, beside, behind, basket

Watch this video to learn sign for Bunny!




Happy signing and hunting!

Sign of the Week - CHICKEN

It's spring again and a great time to introduce animal signs. Visiting local farms, petting zoos, and community fairs often bring opportunities to see baby animals. The sign for CHICKEN can be used to talk about live CHICKENS, CHICKENS in books, and even CHICKS on spring decorations.

This is how to sign CHICKEN - with index finger and thumb, make a beak and pretend to peck into the other hand.

Click on image or here for PDF.

Sign of the Week - RED

We have some colors for Signs of the Week! This week's one is RED. Place index finger on lips and stroke down one time. You can use this sign when you see something RED. Look for RED in the books that you read, RED toys, RED clothes and even RED foods when you go grocery shopping!

Click here for PDF of this picture!