Why sign language and Montessori are awesome!

[Guest guest]

I posted this before about 17 month who is reading (not

memorizing) and has been reading since she was 13 months old!!!!!

Both her mom and dad are SLPs and they credit this amazing ability

to baby sign language. Signing Times was her favorite video and all

she watched.

Here's some videos of this baby from various TV programs. You have

to see this to believe it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G7Z5zVE9m0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbSSEox-_vc & feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP5h3-hz4tc & feature=related

And of course the Montessori School is 'on it' and now offers sign

language to infants! BTW -for those that are seeking appropriate out

of district placement for preschool or K-12 please check out the

Montessori schools in your area too! Montessori encourages a

multisensory approach to learning -a proven method for those with

communication impairments!

Montessori School offers sign language for babies

Published:Monday, March 24, 2008

A University of California study says infants who use sign language

end up more advanced than their peers.

YOUNGSTOWN — Baby talk can be cute, but chances are, parents don't

really know what their young children are trying to say.

The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley hopes to change that

with an infant sign language class that aims to give a voice to

babies who don't yet speak.

Executive Director Amy-Anne Kibler said more than 17 years of

research show that early exposure to sign language can speed brain

development and verbal skills. It can also alleviate the frustration

and guesswork of trying to figure out whether babies are tired,

hungry, wet or in pain.

Four-week sessions begin April 2 at the school, located at 2008 Lynn

Ave. in the Brownlee Woods section of the city.

Classes will be offered on Wednesdays, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.,

and again at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The interactive class, open to

children ages 6 months to 21‚Ñ2, gets parents involved and encourages

bonding.

Barbara Ricks, a speech and language pathologist, and Wenzel,

an interpreter and deaf educator, will head up the program.

A press release from the school touts a University of California,

study that says 35-month-old babies who learned sign language

as infants speak almost one full year ahead of their peers. The study

also showed that 8-year-olds who signed as infants had IQs that were

12 points higher than their nonsigning peers.

The study also suggests that signing babies end up with higher levels

of self-esteem, a stronger bond with parents and an increased

interest in books.

Parents are asked to sit on the floor with their kids in their laps,

and Kibler said this helps give them the best opportunity for early

expressive communication.

For more information about the class, call the school at 330-788-4622

or instructor Barbara Ricks at 330-540-1025.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/mar/24/montessori-school-offers-sign-language-for\

-babies/

How sign language has helped in our group (and perhaps we'll hear

from antoher " old timer " soon?! )

Re: Sign Language

Hey Girlfriend!

The story I have about sign language isn't as amazing as yours

(which was basically what replaced and became " the reason for sign "

for The Late Talker book's final version)

Tanner as I've posted only was taught simple signs, probably because

once on EFAs he started to be able to say simple words, and also

because the Summit Speech School even though it's for the hearing

impaired -acknowledged but didn't encourage the use of ASL in school

as much as verbal communication. The theory in the oral based

hearing impaired schools is that a deaf child who is nonverbal by 5

probably will never speak verbally -but one can learn to sign at any

age. While that theory worked for hearing impaired children -sign

for apraxic children is wonderful -but Summit Speech School in all

other ways was perfect. (again -Tanner has normal hearing -he was

just schooled for his preschool years at this school in out of

district placement and it was incredible for him and a vast amount

of other hearing apraxic children who like Tanner are also

mainstreamed and great students today)

One of the first simple signs taught to Tanner back then was the

word " more " To

say more in sign language you take all your fingertips and lightly

tap them together a few times.

Tanner was taught simple sign and simple picture exchange

communication for the same reasons as the other children here -at 2

to 4 he was essentially nonverbal and also during that time he

rarely smiled or showed any type of facial expression. Tanner for

the most part at 2 and 3 always had a blank look on his face so it

was hard to know just what he was thinking. Was he happy? What was

he thinking. At times it was hard, just so frustrating.

I mainly have the rare smile moments on the CHERAB site

Bottom of page here -classic " Tanner " look he was known for:

http://www.cherab.org/news/indexnews.html

This story happened during that period and right before or around

the time we first started the EFAs.

Tanner had a cold and I had just given him some kid flavored cold

medicine. As always I talked to him never expecting him to answer -

just one way conversations. I asked with a big smile " That's good

stuff huh?! " Tanner looked up and me with no expression as always.

Then he lifted up his hands toward me, took his fingertips and

started to tap them together. At first slow, then a bit faster. He

just kept tapping them together and staring up at me (probably

waiting for me to say something since I always said something!) But

there I was in shock -holding the spoon and staring at him " talking "

to me. You see -that was the first time that Tanner 'ever' talked

to me. And yes it was to me just as clear as if he said " I want

more "

I'll never forget I called everyone to share. To think of it today

I'm sure most of the people I called probably had not a clue why that

was such a profound moment to me -probably thought I was losing it.

You know what though - even today it's one of the most precious

moments.

And boy -how far we've come from then -now I have Tanner reading

about Granny Torrelli to me and we are discussing about Rosie's best

friend Baily who is visually impaired and why he had to go to a

different school then Rosie. How Tanner went to a different

preschool then most others...which reminds me.

Other than remembering he talked with his hands -does

bring up other stuff from when he was nonverbal that he remembers

today? For all of you with little kids that are still nonverbal -

just wait till they can talk, they'll blow you away with what they

recall and how they viewed it!

=====

[Guest guest]

Here's the " Reasons For Sign " I promised. Anyone have any questions

about sign language let us know!

From The Late Talker book St 's Press 2003

THE CASE FOR SIGN LANGUAGE

There has been considerable debate over the merits of teaching sign

language to non-verbal children. Some parents believe that it takes

away from the primary goal of getting their child to become vocal.

Their fear is that the child will become dependent on sign language

and unmotivated to acquire speech. Most speech experts are totally

in favor of the introduction of signing as early as possible because

it helps build vocabulary, reduces frustration, and expands

expressive language. Research indicates that signing is a stepping-

stone—albeit a very important one—on the way to speech. As the

child's ability to vocalize increases, signing falls by the wayside.

The signs are not an alternative to speech, but a method of helping

the child discover speech.

Sign language can be simple or complex. Most late-talking children

develop their own sign language, which is understood by their

immediate family, and which should be encouraged so they develop

enough key signs to make their basic needs known. Carnell

told us that when her son was two-and-a-half-years-old, and

still only saying one or two words, he and his parents learned how

to sign. " He picked it up very fast and his demeanor quickly

changed. Now that he had a way to communicate he was becoming a

happy, carefree child, " she remembers. " I cried the night I walked

into his room and saw him signing in his sleep. " Beyond late talkers

there is even a growing movement to teach sign language or " symbolic

gesturing " to all babies, so they can communicate at an earlier age

than has been considered the norm.

PICTURE EXCHANGE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (PECS)

Another non-verbal mode of communication is picture exchange in

which illustrations are used instead of words. All the child has to

do is point at a picture icon to make himself understood. At its

most simple, you put together a book of picture symbols for your

child to carry with him. You let him decide the contents. One page

can be for breakfast items, another page for lunch, one for dinner,

one for drinks and desserts, and so forth. You can have pages of

faces showing different feelings, and pages for activities such as

reading a book, going to the park or the library, visiting

relatives, friends or the doctor, and going to the bathroom!

There are many places to find pictures. Online grocery stores like

www.netgrocer.com are ideal for food items, as are the Sunday

newspaper's coupon section and magazines. You can take photos, or

purchase picture cards from a number of sources. If you wish,

laminate the pictures to protect and strengthen them; glue food and

drink choices onto self-adhesive magnets and attach to your

refrigerator. But there's more to PECS than having a picture for a

glass of orange juice. It begins with the basic lesson that to get a

favorite item the child needs to hand over a picture of that item.

The child is then taught to create simple " sentences " such as, " I

want cookie. " From there, he learns to add clarity by using

attributes such as big/little, shape, position, and color. He also

discovers how to respond to simple questions, such as, " What do you

want? " before learning how to use the pictures to comment about

things around him: " I see a train! " " I hear a bird! " Many parents

(and some professionals) share the same concern expressed about sign

language; namely, that using a picture system inhibits speech

development. But there is no evidence of a negative outcome while

there is compelling support for the proposition that PECS encourages

speech.

From The Late Talker roughs

THE CASE FOR SIGN LANGUAGE

To sign or not to sign? There has been considerable debate by some

parents over the merits of teaching sign language to their nonverbal

children. Some parents believe that it takes away from the primary

goal of getting the child to become vocal. Their fear is that the

child will become dependent on sign language and therefore not be

motivated to acquire speech. Most speech experts are totally in

favor of the introduction of signing, and as early as possible. All

of the best research indicates that signing is but a stepping-stone—

albeit a very important one—on the way to speech. As the child's

ability to vocalize increases, signing falls by the wayside. Signing

is favored for many reasons. Among the most important:

IT BUILDS VOCABULARY. An essential element of an infant's

development is realizing that he can label things in the world

around him. Most children do so by attempting to speak the word. For

children who can't speak, signing not only gives them the

opportunity to show that they know what things are called; it also

helps them to learn more.

IT REDUCES TANTRUMS. With the acquisition of signs, the child

acquires the means to communicate. He can begin to make himself

understood, significantly reducing his frustration, which had

probably expressed itself in tears and tantrums. At the same time

your frustration is also decreased.

IT EXPANDS EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE. Signing enables the child to acquire

expressive language, even if it is not spoken language. A child who

has difficulty producing the basic sounds of speech is at a distinct

disadvantage when it comes to learning how to string words together

in meaningful and correct sentences. Using sign gives that child a

way of exploring and mastering the development of language.

IT HELPS THE LISTENER. When used in tandem with a child's attempts

at speech, signing can greatly enhance the child's chance of being

understood. For instance, if a child is able to construct a three-

word sentence in which each word is an approximation, and therefore

not properly articulated, the listener may not comprehend what is

being said. Add sign to the vocal effort, and success is virtually

guaranteed.

IT REDUCES TEASING. It is less likely that a late-talker who signs

will be teased since the listener will assume that the child is

deaf, a more familiar condition which seems to inspire more

compassion.

As far as the human brain is concerned there's probably not as much

difference as you might think between spoken and sign communication.

A recent Canadian study using positron emission tomography (PET) to

peer inside the brain made a remarkable discovery. Scientists at

McGill University in Montreal found that deaf people—when signing—

activate the same regions of the brain as speakers without a hearing

problem.

These regions, the planum temporale and the left inferior frontal

cortex, had been associated with the processing of oral language.

But in a series of tests comparing eleven people with profound

deafness and ten people with normal hearing, blood flow was measured

within the brain and was very similar. Harvard University

neuroscientist, Dr. Caplan says that the findings support the

theory that humans have a hard-wired ability to understand language,

be it spoken or visual. "

The Late Talker St 's Press 2003

=====

[Guest guest]

Sign was VERY helpful for my guys. They dropped the sign once the spoken

word was mastered. It really helped with frustration and it still comes

in handy. There are some great baby sign videos out there but we learned

a few from a friend. The words, finished and stop really were handy.

kiddietalk wrote:

> Here's the " Reasons For Sign " I promised. Anyone have any questions

> about sign language let us know!

>

> >From The Late Talker book St 's Press 2003

>

> THE CASE FOR SIGN LANGUAGE

>

>

>

> There has been considerable debate over the merits of teaching sign

> language to non-verbal children. Some parents believe that it takes

> away from the primary goal of getting their child to become vocal.

> Their fear is that the child will become dependent on sign language

> and unmotivated to acquire speech. Most speech experts are totally

> in favor of the introduction of signing as early as possible because

> it helps build vocabulary, reduces frustration, and expands

> expressive language. Research indicates that signing is a stepping-

> stone—albeit a very important one—on the way to speech. As the

> child's ability to vocalize increases, signing falls by the wayside.

> The signs are not an alternative to speech, but a method of helping

> the child discover speech.

>

>

>

> Sign language can be simple or complex. Most late-talking children

> develop their own sign language, which is understood by their

> immediate family, and which should be encouraged so they develop

> enough key signs to make their basic needs known. Carnell

> told us that when her son was two-and-a-half-years-old, and

> still only saying one or two words, he and his parents learned how

> to sign. " He picked it up very fast and his demeanor quickly

> changed. Now that he had a way to communicate he was becoming a

> happy, carefree child, " she remembers. " I cried the night I walked

> into his room and saw him signing in his sleep. " Beyond late talkers

> there is even a growing movement to teach sign language or " symbolic

> gesturing " to all babies, so they can communicate at an earlier age

> than has been considered the norm.

>

>

>

> PICTURE EXCHANGE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (PECS)

>

>

>

> Another non-verbal mode of communication is picture exchange in

> which illustrations are used instead of words. All the child has to

> do is point at a picture icon to make himself understood. At its

> most simple, you put together a book of picture symbols for your

> child to carry with him. You let him decide the contents. One page

> can be for breakfast items, another page for lunch, one for dinner,

> one for drinks and desserts, and so forth. You can have pages of

> faces showing different feelings, and pages for activities such as

> reading a book, going to the park or the library, visiting

> relatives, friends or the doctor, and going to the bathroom!

>

>

>

> There are many places to find pictures. Online grocery stores like

> www.netgrocer.com are ideal for food items, as are the Sunday

> newspaper's coupon section and magazines. You can take photos, or

> purchase picture cards from a number of sources. If you wish,

> laminate the pictures to protect and strengthen them; glue food and

> drink choices onto self-adhesive magnets and attach to your

> refrigerator. But there's more to PECS than having a picture for a

> glass of orange juice. It begins with the basic lesson that to get a

> favorite item the child needs to hand over a picture of that item.

> The child is then taught to create simple " sentences " such as, " I

> want cookie. " From there, he learns to add clarity by using

> attributes such as big/little, shape, position, and color. He also

> discovers how to respond to simple questions, such as, " What do you

> want? " before learning how to use the pictures to comment about

> things around him: " I see a train! " " I hear a bird! " Many parents

> (and some professionals) share the same concern expressed about sign

> language; namely, that using a picture system inhibits speech

> development. But there is no evidence of a negative outcome while

> there is compelling support for the proposition that PECS encourages

> speech.

>

>

>

>

>

> >From The Late Talker roughs

>

>

>

> THE CASE FOR SIGN LANGUAGE

>

>

>

> To sign or not to sign? There has been considerable debate by some

> parents over the merits of teaching sign language to their nonverbal

> children. Some parents believe that it takes away from the primary

> goal of getting the child to become vocal. Their fear is that the

> child will become dependent on sign language and therefore not be

> motivated to acquire speech. Most speech experts are totally in

> favor of the introduction of signing, and as early as possible. All

> of the best research indicates that signing is but a stepping-stone—

> albeit a very important one—on the way to speech. As the child's

> ability to vocalize increases, signing falls by the wayside. Signing

> is favored for many reasons. Among the most important:

>

>

>

> IT BUILDS VOCABULARY. An essential element of an infant's

> development is realizing that he can label things in the world

> around him. Most children do so by attempting to speak the word. For

> children who can't speak, signing not only gives them the

> opportunity to show that they know what things are called; it also

> helps them to learn more.

>

>

>

> IT REDUCES TANTRUMS. With the acquisition of signs, the child

> acquires the means to communicate. He can begin to make himself

> understood, significantly reducing his frustration, which had

> probably expressed itself in tears and tantrums. At the same time

> your frustration is also decreased.

>

>

>

> IT EXPANDS EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE. Signing enables the child to acquire

> expressive language, even if it is not spoken language. A child who

> has difficulty producing the basic sounds of speech is at a distinct

> disadvantage when it comes to learning how to string words together

> in meaningful and correct sentences. Using sign gives that child a

> way of exploring and mastering the development of language.

>

>

>

> IT HELPS THE LISTENER. When used in tandem with a child's attempts

> at speech, signing can greatly enhance the child's chance of being

> understood. For instance, if a child is able to construct a three-

> word sentence in which each word is an approximation, and therefore

> not properly articulated, the listener may not comprehend what is

> being said. Add sign to the vocal effort, and success is virtually

> guaranteed.

>

>

>

> IT REDUCES TEASING. It is less likely that a late-talker who signs

> will be teased since the listener will assume that the child is

> deaf, a more familiar condition which seems to inspire more

> compassion.

>

>

>

> As far as the human brain is concerned there's probably not as much

> difference as you might think between spoken and sign communication.

> A recent Canadian study using positron emission tomography (PET) to

> peer inside the brain made a remarkable discovery. Scientists at

> McGill University in Montreal found that deaf people—when signing—

> activate the same regions of the brain as speakers without a hearing

> problem.

>

> These regions, the planum temporale and the left inferior frontal

> cortex, had been associated with the processing of oral language.

> But in a series of tests comparing eleven people with profound

> deafness and ten people with normal hearing, blood flow was measured

> within the brain and was very similar. Harvard University

> neuroscientist, Dr. Caplan says that the findings support the

> theory that humans have a hard-wired ability to understand language,

> be it spoken or visual. "

>

> The Late Talker St 's Press 2003

>

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

I'll jump in here, because we had a wonderful experience signing with our son.

Also, thanks, for all of this great information on signing with babies and

kids.

I started signing with our son when he was about 12 months old. At around 18

months, he knew about 150 signs.....so I thought..... " he'll talke soon, so I'm

going to stop teaching him signs " . Well, he didn't talk soon and he began making

up his own signs. And, one full year later, and after months of therapy, and

the introduction of fish oil is when he said his first word. By that time, he

had a signing vocabulary of 300+ words. I stopped counting, so I'll never

really know how many actual signs he had. I truly, truly feel that signing with

him was one of the VERY BEST things I could have done for him. I gave him a way

to communicate.

With signs, I was able to see just how smart he was. My niece could speak

around 100 words at 16 months old -- my son was signing the same amount at that

age. We all knew that he was just as smart and capable as she was, but that he

just didn't have the physical abilty to speak.

He met language milestones of combining words.....because he was combining

signs.

But most importantly, my son was an active participant in family conversations.

He could tell us about his day, about the things he liked and wanted to do. He

could tell us his favorite stories......and express his sense of humor. For

these things, I'll forever be grateful.

But, there were those people that criticised me, and blamed his " speech delay "

on the signs. I just ignored them. They did not know my child.

Signing with our son was THE way to go for us!

http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_watchcause

>

> I posted this before about 17 month who is reading (not

> memorizing) and has been reading since she was 13 months old!!!!!

> Both her mom and dad are SLPs and they credit this amazing ability

> to baby sign language. Signing Times was her favorite video and all

> she watched.

> Here's some videos of this baby from various TV programs. You have

> to see this to believe it!

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G7Z5zVE9m0

>

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbSSEox-_vc & feature=related

>

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP5h3-hz4tc & feature=related

>

> And of course the Montessori School is 'on it' and now offers sign

> language to infants! BTW -for those that are seeking appropriate out

> of district placement for preschool or K-12 please check out the

> Montessori schools in your area too! Montessori encourages a

> multisensory approach to learning -a proven method for those with

> communication impairments!

> Montessori School offers sign language for babies

> Published:Monday, March 24, 2008

>

> A University of California study says infants who use sign language

> end up more advanced than their peers.

>

> YOUNGSTOWN — Baby talk can be cute, but chances are, parents don't

> really know what their young children are trying to say.

>

> The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley hopes to change that

> with an infant sign language class that aims to give a voice to

> babies who don't yet speak.

>

> Executive Director Amy-Anne Kibler said more than 17 years of

> research show that early exposure to sign language can speed brain

> development and verbal skills. It can also alleviate the frustration

> and guesswork of trying to figure out whether babies are tired,

> hungry, wet or in pain.

>

> Four-week sessions begin April 2 at the school, located at 2008 Lynn

> Ave. in the Brownlee Woods section of the city.

>

> Classes will be offered on Wednesdays, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.,

> and again at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The interactive class, open to

> children ages 6 months to 21‚Ñ2, gets parents involved and encourages

> bonding.

>

> Barbara Ricks, a speech and language pathologist, and Wenzel,

> an interpreter and deaf educator, will head up the program.

>

> A press release from the school touts a University of California,

> study that says 35-month-old babies who learned sign language

> as infants speak almost one full year ahead of their peers. The study

> also showed that 8-year-olds who signed as infants had IQs that were

> 12 points higher than their nonsigning peers.

>

> The study also suggests that signing babies end up with higher levels

> of self-esteem, a stronger bond with parents and an increased

> interest in books.

>

> Parents are asked to sit on the floor with their kids in their laps,

> and Kibler said this helps give them the best opportunity for early

> expressive communication.

>

> For more information about the class, call the school at 330-788-4622

> or instructor Barbara Ricks at 330-540-1025.

>

>

http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/mar/24/montessori-school-offers-sign-language-for\

-babies/

>

>

>

> How sign language has helped in our group (and perhaps we'll hear

> from antoher " old timer " soon?! )

>

>

> Re: Sign Language

>

>

>

> Hey Girlfriend!

>

> The story I have about sign language isn't as amazing as yours

> (which was basically what replaced and became " the reason for sign "

> for The Late Talker book's final version)

>

> Tanner as I've posted only was taught simple signs, probably because

> once on EFAs he started to be able to say simple words, and also

> because the Summit Speech School even though it's for the hearing

> impaired -acknowledged but didn't encourage the use of ASL in school

> as much as verbal communication. The theory in the oral based

> hearing impaired schools is that a deaf child who is nonverbal by 5

> probably will never speak verbally -but one can learn to sign at any

> age. While that theory worked for hearing impaired children -sign

> for apraxic children is wonderful -but Summit Speech School in all

> other ways was perfect. (again -Tanner has normal hearing -he was

> just schooled for his preschool years at this school in out of

> district placement and it was incredible for him and a vast amount

> of other hearing apraxic children who like Tanner are also

> mainstreamed and great students today)

>

> One of the first simple signs taught to Tanner back then was the

> word " more " To

> say more in sign language you take all your fingertips and lightly

> tap them together a few times.

>

> Tanner was taught simple sign and simple picture exchange

> communication for the same reasons as the other children here -at 2

> to 4 he was essentially nonverbal and also during that time he

> rarely smiled or showed any type of facial expression. Tanner for

> the most part at 2 and 3 always had a blank look on his face so it

> was hard to know just what he was thinking. Was he happy? What was

> he thinking. At times it was hard, just so frustrating.

> I mainly have the rare smile moments on the CHERAB site

> Bottom of page here -classic " Tanner " look he was known for:

> http://www.cherab.org/news/indexnews.html

>

> This story happened during that period and right before or around

> the time we first started the EFAs.

>

> Tanner had a cold and I had just given him some kid flavored cold

> medicine. As always I talked to him never expecting him to answer -

> just one way conversations. I asked with a big smile " That's good

> stuff huh?! " Tanner looked up and me with no expression as always.

> Then he lifted up his hands toward me, took his fingertips and

> started to tap them together. At first slow, then a bit faster. He

> just kept tapping them together and staring up at me (probably

> waiting for me to say something since I always said something!) But

> there I was in shock -holding the spoon and staring at him " talking "

> to me. You see -that was the first time that Tanner 'ever' talked

> to me. And yes it was to me just as clear as if he said " I want

> more "

>

> I'll never forget I called everyone to share. To think of it today

> I'm sure most of the people I called probably had not a clue why that

> was such a profound moment to me -probably thought I was losing it.

> You know what though - even today it's one of the most precious

> moments.

>

> And boy -how far we've come from then -now I have Tanner reading

> about Granny Torrelli to me and we are discussing about Rosie's best

> friend Baily who is visually impaired and why he had to go to a

> different school then Rosie. How Tanner went to a different

> preschool then most others...which reminds me.

>

> Other than remembering he talked with his hands -does

> bring up other stuff from when he was nonverbal that he remembers

> today? For all of you with little kids that are still nonverbal -

> just wait till they can talk, they'll blow you away with what they

> recall and how they viewed it!

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

We didn't know about this when our child was a baby. (

Does anyone have experience with this starting it with a 3 year old?

Kate

> >

> > I posted this before about 17 month who is reading (not

> > memorizing) and has been reading since she was 13 months old!!!!!

> > Both her mom and dad are SLPs and they credit this amazing

ability

> > to baby sign language. Signing Times was her favorite video and

all

> > she watched.

> > Here's some videos of this baby from various TV programs. You

have

> > to see this to believe it!

> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G7Z5zVE9m0

> >

> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbSSEox-_vc & feature=related

> >

> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP5h3-hz4tc & feature=related

> >

> > And of course the Montessori School is 'on it' and now offers sign

> > language to infants! BTW -for those that are seeking appropriate

out

> > of district placement for preschool or K-12 please check out the

> > Montessori schools in your area too! Montessori encourages a

> > multisensory approach to learning -a proven method for those with

> > communication impairments!

> > Montessori School offers sign language for babies

> > Published:Monday, March 24, 2008

> >

> > A University of California study says infants who use sign

language

> > end up more advanced than their peers.

> >

> > YOUNGSTOWN — Baby talk can be cute, but chances are, parents don't

> > really know what their young children are trying to say.

> >

> > The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley hopes to change that

> > with an infant sign language class that aims to give a voice to

> > babies who don't yet speak.

> >

> > Executive Director Amy-Anne Kibler said more than 17 years of

> > research show that early exposure to sign language can speed brain

> > development and verbal skills. It can also alleviate the

frustration

> > and guesswork of trying to figure out whether babies are tired,

> > hungry, wet or in pain.

> >

> > Four-week sessions begin April 2 at the school, located at 2008

Lynn

> > Ave. in the Brownlee Woods section of the city.

> >

> > Classes will be offered on Wednesdays, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45

p.m.,

> > and again at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The interactive class, open to

> > children ages 6 months to 21‚Ñ2, gets parents involved and

encourages

> > bonding.

> >

> > Barbara Ricks, a speech and language pathologist, and

Wenzel,

> > an interpreter and deaf educator, will head up the program.

> >

> > A press release from the school touts a University of California,

> > study that says 35-month-old babies who learned sign

language

> > as infants speak almost one full year ahead of their peers. The

study

> > also showed that 8-year-olds who signed as infants had IQs that

were

> > 12 points higher than their nonsigning peers.

> >

> > The study also suggests that signing babies end up with higher

levels

> > of self-esteem, a stronger bond with parents and an increased

> > interest in books.

> >

> > Parents are asked to sit on the floor with their kids in their

laps,

> > and Kibler said this helps give them the best opportunity for

early

> > expressive communication.

> >

> > For more information about the class, call the school at 330-788-

4622

> > or instructor Barbara Ricks at 330-540-1025.

> >

> > http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/mar/24/montessori-school-offers-

sign-language-for-babies/

> >

> >

> >

> > How sign language has helped in our group (and perhaps we'll hear

> > from antoher " old timer " soon?! )

> >

> >

> > Re: Sign Language

> >

> >

> >

> > Hey Girlfriend!

> >

> > The story I have about sign language isn't as amazing as yours

> > (which was basically what replaced and became " the reason for

sign "

> > for The Late Talker book's final version)

> >

> > Tanner as I've posted only was taught simple signs, probably

because

> > once on EFAs he started to be able to say simple words, and also

> > because the Summit Speech School even though it's for the hearing

> > impaired -acknowledged but didn't encourage the use of ASL in

school

> > as much as verbal communication. The theory in the oral based

> > hearing impaired schools is that a deaf child who is nonverbal by

5

> > probably will never speak verbally -but one can learn to sign at

any

> > age. While that theory worked for hearing impaired children -sign

> > for apraxic children is wonderful -but Summit Speech School in all

> > other ways was perfect. (again -Tanner has normal hearing -he was

> > just schooled for his preschool years at this school in out of

> > district placement and it was incredible for him and a vast amount

> > of other hearing apraxic children who like Tanner are also

> > mainstreamed and great students today)

> >

> > One of the first simple signs taught to Tanner back then was the

> > word " more " To

> > say more in sign language you take all your fingertips and lightly

> > tap them together a few times.

> >

> > Tanner was taught simple sign and simple picture exchange

> > communication for the same reasons as the other children here -at

2

> > to 4 he was essentially nonverbal and also during that time he

> > rarely smiled or showed any type of facial expression. Tanner for

> > the most part at 2 and 3 always had a blank look on his face so it

> > was hard to know just what he was thinking. Was he happy? What was

> > he thinking. At times it was hard, just so frustrating.

> > I mainly have the rare smile moments on the CHERAB site

> > Bottom of page here -classic " Tanner " look he was known for:

> > http://www.cherab.org/news/indexnews.html

> >

> > This story happened during that period and right before or around

> > the time we first started the EFAs.

> >

> > Tanner had a cold and I had just given him some kid flavored cold

> > medicine. As always I talked to him never expecting him to

answer -

> > just one way conversations. I asked with a big smile " That's good

> > stuff huh?! " Tanner looked up and me with no expression as always.

> > Then he lifted up his hands toward me, took his fingertips and

> > started to tap them together. At first slow, then a bit faster. He

> > just kept tapping them together and staring up at me (probably

> > waiting for me to say something since I always said something!)

But

> > there I was in shock -holding the spoon and staring at

him " talking "

> > to me. You see -that was the first time that Tanner 'ever' talked

> > to me. And yes it was to me just as clear as if he said " I want

> > more "

> >

> > I'll never forget I called everyone to share. To think of it today

> > I'm sure most of the people I called probably had not a clue why

that

> > was such a profound moment to me -probably thought I was losing

it.

> > You know what though - even today it's one of the most precious

> > moments.

> >

> > And boy -how far we've come from then -now I have Tanner reading

> > about Granny Torrelli to me and we are discussing about Rosie's

best

> > friend Baily who is visually impaired and why he had to go to a

> > different school then Rosie. How Tanner went to a different

> > preschool then most others...which reminds me.

> >

> > Other than remembering he talked with his hands -does

> > bring up other stuff from when he was nonverbal that he remembers

> > today? For all of you with little kids that are still nonverbal -

> > just wait till they can talk, they'll blow you away with what they

> > recall and how they viewed it!

> >

> > =====

> >

[Guest guest]

We did this with both kids as babies and it has served them well in

different ways. As for starting with a 3 year old, I was told it

holds value there as well, much like language acquistion of, say, a

second language would for a typical child. I believe that stuff is

covered a little (language expansion generally) in that The Brain

That Changes Itself book but can't say as hubby won't let go of it:)

> > >

> > > I posted this before about 17 month who is reading

(not

> > > memorizing) and has been reading since she was 13 months

old!!!!!

> > > Both her mom and dad are SLPs and they credit this amazing

> ability

> > > to baby sign language. Signing Times was her favorite video

and

> all

> > > she watched.

> > > Here's some videos of this baby from various TV programs. You

> have

> > > to see this to believe it!

> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G7Z5zVE9m0

> > >

> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbSSEox-_vc & feature=related

> > >

> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP5h3-hz4tc & feature=related

> > >

> > > And of course the Montessori School is 'on it' and now offers

sign

> > > language to infants! BTW -for those that are seeking

appropriate

> out

> > > of district placement for preschool or K-12 please check out the

> > > Montessori schools in your area too! Montessori encourages a

> > > multisensory approach to learning -a proven method for those

with

> > > communication impairments!

> > > Montessori School offers sign language for babies

> > > Published:Monday, March 24, 2008

> > >

> > > A University of California study says infants who use sign

> language

> > > end up more advanced than their peers.

> > >

> > > YOUNGSTOWN — Baby talk can be cute, but chances are, parents

don't

> > > really know what their young children are trying to say.

> > >

> > > The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley hopes to change

that

> > > with an infant sign language class that aims to give a voice to

> > > babies who don't yet speak.

> > >

> > > Executive Director Amy-Anne Kibler said more than 17 years of

> > > research show that early exposure to sign language can speed

brain

> > > development and verbal skills. It can also alleviate the

> frustration

> > > and guesswork of trying to figure out whether babies are tired,

> > > hungry, wet or in pain.

> > >

> > > Four-week sessions begin April 2 at the school, located at 2008

> Lynn

> > > Ave. in the Brownlee Woods section of the city.

> > >

> > > Classes will be offered on Wednesdays, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45

> p.m.,

> > > and again at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The interactive class, open

to

> > > children ages 6 months to 21‚Ñ2, gets parents involved and

> encourages

> > > bonding.

> > >

> > > Barbara Ricks, a speech and language pathologist, and

> Wenzel,

> > > an interpreter and deaf educator, will head up the program.

> > >

> > > A press release from the school touts a University of

California,

> > > study that says 35-month-old babies who learned sign

> language

> > > as infants speak almost one full year ahead of their peers. The

> study

> > > also showed that 8-year-olds who signed as infants had IQs that

> were

> > > 12 points higher than their nonsigning peers.

> > >

> > > The study also suggests that signing babies end up with higher

> levels

> > > of self-esteem, a stronger bond with parents and an increased

> > > interest in books.

> > >

> > > Parents are asked to sit on the floor with their kids in their

> laps,

> > > and Kibler said this helps give them the best opportunity for

> early

> > > expressive communication.

> > >

> > > For more information about the class, call the school at 330-

788-

> 4622

> > > or instructor Barbara Ricks at 330-540-1025.

> > >

> > > http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/mar/24/montessori-school-offers-

> sign-language-for-babies/

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > How sign language has helped in our group (and perhaps we'll

hear

> > > from antoher " old timer " soon?! )

> > >

> > >

> > > Re: Sign Language

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hey Girlfriend!

> > >

> > > The story I have about sign language isn't as amazing as yours

> > > (which was basically what replaced and became " the reason for

> sign "

> > > for The Late Talker book's final version)

> > >

> > > Tanner as I've posted only was taught simple signs, probably

> because

> > > once on EFAs he started to be able to say simple words, and also

> > > because the Summit Speech School even though it's for the

hearing

> > > impaired -acknowledged but didn't encourage the use of ASL in

> school

> > > as much as verbal communication. The theory in the oral based

> > > hearing impaired schools is that a deaf child who is nonverbal

by

> 5

> > > probably will never speak verbally -but one can learn to sign

at

> any

> > > age. While that theory worked for hearing impaired children -

sign

> > > for apraxic children is wonderful -but Summit Speech School in

all

> > > other ways was perfect. (again -Tanner has normal hearing -he

was

> > > just schooled for his preschool years at this school in out of

> > > district placement and it was incredible for him and a vast

amount

> > > of other hearing apraxic children who like Tanner are also

> > > mainstreamed and great students today)

> > >

> > > One of the first simple signs taught to Tanner back then was the

> > > word " more " To

> > > say more in sign language you take all your fingertips and

lightly

> > > tap them together a few times.

> > >

> > > Tanner was taught simple sign and simple picture exchange

> > > communication for the same reasons as the other children here -

at

> 2

> > > to 4 he was essentially nonverbal and also during that time he

> > > rarely smiled or showed any type of facial expression. Tanner

for

> > > the most part at 2 and 3 always had a blank look on his face so

it

> > > was hard to know just what he was thinking. Was he happy? What

was

> > > he thinking. At times it was hard, just so frustrating.

> > > I mainly have the rare smile moments on the CHERAB site

> > > Bottom of page here -classic " Tanner " look he was known for:

> > > http://www.cherab.org/news/indexnews.html

> > >

> > > This story happened during that period and right before or

around

> > > the time we first started the EFAs.

> > >

> > > Tanner had a cold and I had just given him some kid flavored

cold

> > > medicine. As always I talked to him never expecting him to

> answer -

> > > just one way conversations. I asked with a big smile " That's

good

> > > stuff huh?! " Tanner looked up and me with no expression as

always.

> > > Then he lifted up his hands toward me, took his fingertips and

> > > started to tap them together. At first slow, then a bit faster.

He

> > > just kept tapping them together and staring up at me (probably

> > > waiting for me to say something since I always said something!)

> But

> > > there I was in shock -holding the spoon and staring at

> him " talking "

> > > to me. You see -that was the first time that Tanner 'ever'

talked

> > > to me. And yes it was to me just as clear as if he said " I want

> > > more "

> > >

> > > I'll never forget I called everyone to share. To think of it

today

> > > I'm sure most of the people I called probably had not a clue

why

> that

> > > was such a profound moment to me -probably thought I was losing

> it.

> > > You know what though - even today it's one of the most precious

> > > moments.

> > >

> > > And boy -how far we've come from then -now I have Tanner reading

> > > about Granny Torrelli to me and we are discussing about Rosie's

> best

> > > friend Baily who is visually impaired and why he had to go to a

> > > different school then Rosie. How Tanner went to a different

> > > preschool then most others...which reminds me.

> > >

> > > Other than remembering he talked with his hands -does

>

> > > bring up other stuff from when he was nonverbal that he

remembers

> > > today? For all of you with little kids that are still

nonverbal -

> > > just wait till they can talk, they'll blow you away with what

they

> > > recall and how they viewed it!

> > >

> > > =====

> > >

[Guest guest]

There are resources on the Baby Signs website (www.babysigns.com). There's a

book that can teach you how to teach your child. There is also Dr ph

with Signing Times. I'm sure he has a website and has many resources as well.

I've heard that his videos features more signs than the Baby Signs videos, so

this may be more appropriate for your three year old. Diane also published

a book, " The Dummy's Guide to Signing With You Baby " . She was an SLP. Any of

these books or resources will help. One thing to always keep in mind is why

you're signing with your baby. What I mean is.....in our case, we wanted to

communicate.....plain and simple. We were not hung up on making sure the signs

were done absolutely correctly, and we made up a lot of our own signs. Young

children have the fine motor issues that prevent " perfect signs " . Even

kindergarteners and first graders have some of the same fine motor issues and

naturally modify signs. If your child has dyspraxia (more global body issues),

consider this. I modified a lot of our signs so t hat my son was able to do

them. It's almost like the Kaufman Method approach of approximations.....I just

wanted to give him a way to communicate, then we " cleaned " up some of the signs

later when his fine motor was more developed. Speaking of Kaufman, she has a

signing kit that (I think) has a lot of picture cards with signs. You could

go to her site and check it out. There is also several websites that teach

signs.....ASL Browser is the one we used. The woman demonstrates each sign.

But, the jist of teaching your child to sign is to just sign with them. Produce

the sign, say the word and have the object in front of you as well. So, if you

want to teach the sign for cat.....be close to a cat, say the word cat and do

the sign for cat at the same time. The repetition teaches the signs. It's very

easy.

Last year, I taught Baby SIgns at my house, but I'm no longer affilated with the

company.....so not promoting or selling their products here.

If I was you, I'd go online and use as many free resources as you can find

there.

@...: mykitkate@...: Sat, 29

Mar 2008 13:42:20 +0000Subject: [ ] Re: Why sign language and

Montessori are awesome!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Sign language saved us as well. My daughter is now 6 1/2 and has

only a handful of intelliagle words, but has many, many signs - I

stopped counting at 300 also but I'd guess that she have about 200+

signs now. She is not " fluent " and does not sign quite like children

who are Deaf because of fine motor and planning issues, but it is

such a blessing to be able to ask her " what's wrong? " or " what do you

want to eat? " and to actually be able have a conversation! Signing

time videos are by far her favorite.

She goes to school and is in a special day class but is mainstreamed

a significant amount of time. She has a signing aid that helps her

communicate with peers and class activities. All her kinder buddies

are learning some sign and they think it is terriffic.

> > >

> > > I posted this before about 17 month who is reading

(not

> > > memorizing) and has been reading since she was 13 months

old!!!!!

> > > Both her mom and dad are SLPs and they credit this amazing

> ability

> > > to baby sign language. Signing Times was her favorite video

and

> all

> > > she watched.

> > > Here's some videos of this baby from various TV programs. You

> have

> > > to see this to believe it!

> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G7Z5zVE9m0

> > >

> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbSSEox-_vc & feature=related

> > >

> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP5h3-hz4tc & feature=related

> > >

> > > And of course the Montessori School is 'on it' and now offers

sign

> > > language to infants! BTW -for those that are seeking

appropriate

> out

> > > of district placement for preschool or K-12 please check out the

> > > Montessori schools in your area too! Montessori encourages a

> > > multisensory approach to learning -a proven method for those

with

> > > communication impairments!

> > > Montessori School offers sign language for babies

> > > Published:Monday, March 24, 2008

> > >

> > > A University of California study says infants who use sign

> language

> > > end up more advanced than their peers.

> > >

> > > YOUNGSTOWN — Baby talk can be cute, but chances are, parents

don't

> > > really know what their young children are trying to say.

> > >

> > > The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley hopes to change

that

> > > with an infant sign language class that aims to give a voice to

> > > babies who don't yet speak.

> > >

> > > Executive Director Amy-Anne Kibler said more than 17 years of

> > > research show that early exposure to sign language can speed

brain

> > > development and verbal skills. It can also alleviate the

> frustration

> > > and guesswork of trying to figure out whether babies are tired,

> > > hungry, wet or in pain.

> > >

> > > Four-week sessions begin April 2 at the school, located at 2008

> Lynn

> > > Ave. in the Brownlee Woods section of the city.

> > >

> > > Classes will be offered on Wednesdays, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45

> p.m.,

> > > and again at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The interactive class, open

to

> > > children ages 6 months to 21‚Ñ2, gets parents involved and

> encourages

> > > bonding.

> > >

> > > Barbara Ricks, a speech and language pathologist, and

> Wenzel,

> > > an interpreter and deaf educator, will head up the program.

> > >

> > > A press release from the school touts a University of

California,

> > > study that says 35-month-old babies who learned sign

> language

> > > as infants speak almost one full year ahead of their peers. The

> study

> > > also showed that 8-year-olds who signed as infants had IQs that

> were

> > > 12 points higher than their nonsigning peers.

> > >

> > > The study also suggests that signing babies end up with higher

> levels

> > > of self-esteem, a stronger bond with parents and an increased

> > > interest in books.

> > >

> > > Parents are asked to sit on the floor with their kids in their

> laps,

> > > and Kibler said this helps give them the best opportunity for

> early

> > > expressive communication.

> > >

> > > For more information about the class, call the school at 330-

788-

> 4622

> > > or instructor Barbara Ricks at 330-540-1025.

> > >

> > > http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/mar/24/montessori-school-offers-

> sign-language-for-babies/

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > How sign language has helped in our group (and perhaps we'll

hear

> > > from antoher " old timer " soon?! )

> > >

> > >

> > > Re: Sign Language

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hey Girlfriend!

> > >

> > > The story I have about sign language isn't as amazing as yours

> > > (which was basically what replaced and became " the reason for

> sign "

> > > for The Late Talker book's final version)

> > >

> > > Tanner as I've posted only was taught simple signs, probably

> because

> > > once on EFAs he started to be able to say simple words, and also

> > > because the Summit Speech School even though it's for the

hearing

> > > impaired -acknowledged but didn't encourage the use of ASL in

> school

> > > as much as verbal communication. The theory in the oral based

> > > hearing impaired schools is that a deaf child who is nonverbal

by

> 5

> > > probably will never speak verbally -but one can learn to sign

at

> any

> > > age. While that theory worked for hearing impaired children -

sign

> > > for apraxic children is wonderful -but Summit Speech School in

all

> > > other ways was perfect. (again -Tanner has normal hearing -he

was

> > > just schooled for his preschool years at this school in out of

> > > district placement and it was incredible for him and a vast

amount

> > > of other hearing apraxic children who like Tanner are also

> > > mainstreamed and great students today)

> > >

> > > One of the first simple signs taught to Tanner back then was the

> > > word " more " To

> > > say more in sign language you take all your fingertips and

lightly

> > > tap them together a few times.

> > >

> > > Tanner was taught simple sign and simple picture exchange

> > > communication for the same reasons as the other children here -

at

> 2

> > > to 4 he was essentially nonverbal and also during that time he

> > > rarely smiled or showed any type of facial expression. Tanner

for

> > > the most part at 2 and 3 always had a blank look on his face so

it

> > > was hard to know just what he was thinking. Was he happy? What

was

> > > he thinking. At times it was hard, just so frustrating.

> > > I mainly have the rare smile moments on the CHERAB site

> > > Bottom of page here -classic " Tanner " look he was known for:

> > > http://www.cherab.org/news/indexnews.html

> > >

> > > This story happened during that period and right before or

around

> > > the time we first started the EFAs.

> > >

> > > Tanner had a cold and I had just given him some kid flavored

cold

> > > medicine. As always I talked to him never expecting him to

> answer -

> > > just one way conversations. I asked with a big smile " That's

good

> > > stuff huh?! " Tanner looked up and me with no expression as

always.

> > > Then he lifted up his hands toward me, took his fingertips and

> > > started to tap them together. At first slow, then a bit faster.

He

> > > just kept tapping them together and staring up at me (probably

> > > waiting for me to say something since I always said something!)

> But

> > > there I was in shock -holding the spoon and staring at

> him " talking "

> > > to me. You see -that was the first time that Tanner 'ever'

talked

> > > to me. And yes it was to me just as clear as if he said " I want

> > > more "

> > >

> > > I'll never forget I called everyone to share. To think of it

today

> > > I'm sure most of the people I called probably had not a clue

why

> that

> > > was such a profound moment to me -probably thought I was losing

> it.

> > > You know what though - even today it's one of the most precious

> > > moments.

> > >

> > > And boy -how far we've come from then -now I have Tanner reading

> > > about Granny Torrelli to me and we are discussing about Rosie's

> best

> > > friend Baily who is visually impaired and why he had to go to a

> > > different school then Rosie. How Tanner went to a different

> > > preschool then most others...which reminds me.

> > >

> > > Other than remembering he talked with his hands -does

>

> > > bring up other stuff from when he was nonverbal that he

remembers

> > > today? For all of you with little kids that are still

nonverbal -

> > > just wait till they can talk, they'll blow you away with what

they

> > > recall and how they viewed it!

> > >

> > > =====

> > >

[Guest guest]

That's great that the other kids are learning to sign from her. How empowered

she must feel to have a skill that they are eager to learn.

> > > >

> > > > I posted this before about 17 month who is reading

> (not

> > > > memorizing) and has been reading since she was 13 months

> old!!!!!

> > > > Both her mom and dad are SLPs and they credit this amazing

> > ability

> > > > to baby sign language. Signing Times was her favorite video

> and

> > all

> > > > she watched.

> > > > Here's some videos of this baby from various TV programs. You

> > have

> > > > to see this to believe it!

> > > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G7Z5zVE9m0

> > > >

> > > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbSSEox-_vc & feature=related

> > > >

> > > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP5h3-hz4tc & feature=related

> > > >

> > > > And of course the Montessori School is 'on it' and now offers

> sign

> > > > language to infants! BTW -for those that are seeking

> appropriate

> > out

> > > > of district placement for preschool or K-12 please check out the

> > > > Montessori schools in your area too! Montessori encourages a

> > > > multisensory approach to learning -a proven method for those

> with

> > > > communication impairments!

> > > > Montessori School offers sign language for babies

> > > > Published:Monday, March 24, 2008

> > > >

> > > > A University of California study says infants who use sign

> > language

> > > > end up more advanced than their peers.

> > > >

> > > > YOUNGSTOWN — Baby talk can be cute, but chances are, parents

> don't

> > > > really know what their young children are trying to say.

> > > >

> > > > The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley hopes to change

> that

> > > > with an infant sign language class that aims to give a voice to

> > > > babies who don't yet speak.

> > > >

> > > > Executive Director Amy-Anne Kibler said more than 17 years of

> > > > research show that early exposure to sign language can speed

> brain

> > > > development and verbal skills. It can also alleviate the

> > frustration

> > > > and guesswork of trying to figure out whether babies are tired,

> > > > hungry, wet or in pain.

> > > >

> > > > Four-week sessions begin April 2 at the school, located at 2008

> > Lynn

> > > > Ave. in the Brownlee Woods section of the city.

> > > >

> > > > Classes will be offered on Wednesdays, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45

> > p.m.,

> > > > and again at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The interactive class, open

> to

> > > > children ages 6 months to 21‚Ñ2, gets parents involved and

> > encourages

> > > > bonding.

> > > >

> > > > Barbara Ricks, a speech and language pathologist, and

> > Wenzel,

> > > > an interpreter and deaf educator, will head up the program.

> > > >

> > > > A press release from the school touts a University of

> California,

> > > > study that says 35-month-old babies who learned sign

> > language

> > > > as infants speak almost one full year ahead of their peers. The

> > study

> > > > also showed that 8-year-olds who signed as infants had IQs that

> > were

> > > > 12 points higher than their nonsigning peers.

> > > >

> > > > The study also suggests that signing babies end up with higher

> > levels

> > > > of self-esteem, a stronger bond with parents and an increased

> > > > interest in books.

> > > >

> > > > Parents are asked to sit on the floor with their kids in their

> > laps,

> > > > and Kibler said this helps give them the best opportunity for

> > early

> > > > expressive communication.

> > > >

> > > > For more information about the class, call the school at 330-

> 788-

> > 4622

> > > > or instructor Barbara Ricks at 330-540-1025.

> > > >

> > > > http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/mar/24/montessori-school-offers-

> > sign-language-for-babies/

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > How sign language has helped in our group (and perhaps we'll

> hear

> > > > from antoher " old timer " soon?! )

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Re: Sign Language

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Hey Girlfriend!

> > > >

> > > > The story I have about sign language isn't as amazing as yours

> > > > (which was basically what replaced and became " the reason for

> > sign "

> > > > for The Late Talker book's final version)

> > > >

> > > > Tanner as I've posted only was taught simple signs, probably

> > because

> > > > once on EFAs he started to be able to say simple words, and also

> > > > because the Summit Speech School even though it's for the

> hearing

> > > > impaired -acknowledged but didn't encourage the use of ASL in

> > school

> > > > as much as verbal communication. The theory in the oral based

> > > > hearing impaired schools is that a deaf child who is nonverbal

> by

> > 5

> > > > probably will never speak verbally -but one can learn to sign

> at

> > any

> > > > age. While that theory worked for hearing impaired children -

> sign

> > > > for apraxic children is wonderful -but Summit Speech School in

> all

> > > > other ways was perfect. (again -Tanner has normal hearing -he

> was

> > > > just schooled for his preschool years at this school in out of

> > > > district placement and it was incredible for him and a vast

> amount

> > > > of other hearing apraxic children who like Tanner are also

> > > > mainstreamed and great students today)

> > > >

> > > > One of the first simple signs taught to Tanner back then was the

> > > > word " more " To

> > > > say more in sign language you take all your fingertips and

> lightly

> > > > tap them together a few times.

> > > >

> > > > Tanner was taught simple sign and simple picture exchange

> > > > communication for the same reasons as the other children here -

> at

> > 2

> > > > to 4 he was essentially nonverbal and also during that time he

> > > > rarely smiled or showed any type of facial expression. Tanner

> for

> > > > the most part at 2 and 3 always had a blank look on his face so

> it

> > > > was hard to know just what he was thinking. Was he happy? What

> was

> > > > he thinking. At times it was hard, just so frustrating.

> > > > I mainly have the rare smile moments on the CHERAB site

> > > > Bottom of page here -classic " Tanner " look he was known for:

> > > > http://www.cherab.org/news/indexnews.html

> > > >

> > > > This story happened during that period and right before or

> around

> > > > the time we first started the EFAs.

> > > >

> > > > Tanner had a cold and I had just given him some kid flavored

> cold

> > > > medicine. As always I talked to him never expecting him to

> > answer -

> > > > just one way conversations. I asked with a big smile " That's

> good

> > > > stuff huh?! " Tanner looked up and me with no expression as

> always.

> > > > Then he lifted up his hands toward me, took his fingertips and

> > > > started to tap them together. At first slow, then a bit faster.

> He

> > > > just kept tapping them together and staring up at me (probably

> > > > waiting for me to say something since I always said something!)

> > But

> > > > there I was in shock -holding the spoon and staring at

> > him " talking "

> > > > to me. You see -that was the first time that Tanner 'ever'

> talked

> > > > to me. And yes it was to me just as clear as if he said " I want

> > > > more "

> > > >

> > > > I'll never forget I called everyone to share. To think of it

> today

> > > > I'm sure most of the people I called probably had not a clue

> why

> > that

> > > > was such a profound moment to me -probably thought I was losing

> > it.

> > > > You know what though - even today it's one of the most precious

> > > > moments.

> > > >

> > > > And boy -how far we've come from then -now I have Tanner reading

> > > > about Granny Torrelli to me and we are discussing about Rosie's

> > best

> > > > friend Baily who is visually impaired and why he had to go to a

> > > > different school then Rosie. How Tanner went to a different

> > > > preschool then most others...which reminds me.

> > > >

> > > > Other than remembering he talked with his hands -does

> >

> > > > bring up other stuff from when he was nonverbal that he

> remembers

> > > > today? For all of you with little kids that are still

> nonverbal -

> > > > just wait till they can talk, they'll blow you away with what

> they

> > > > recall and how they viewed it!

> > > >

> > > > =====

> > > >

[Guest guest]

3 y.o. is fine, its never to late to start teaching/learning signs. I

am sure your child will pick it up just as quickly.

>

> We didn't know about this when our child was a baby. (

>

> Does anyone have experience with this starting it with a 3 year old?

> Kate

>

[Guest guest]

We did not begin sign language until 2.5 - 3 years old. We began

it, he used maybe 2 signs consistently until recently at 4.5 years

he has suddenly taken off with it (identified actual food allergies,

removed the foods and began nystatin for yeast infection. As soon

as we did that, he took off and began using signs he had learned a

year before).

> > > >

> > > > I posted this before about 17 month who is reading

> (not

> > > > memorizing) and has been reading since she was 13 months

> old!!!!!

> > > > Both her mom and dad are SLPs and they credit this amazing

> > ability

> > > > to baby sign language. Signing Times was her favorite video

> and

> > all

> > > > she watched.

> > > > Here's some videos of this baby from various TV programs.

You

> > have

> > > > to see this to believe it!

> > > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G7Z5zVE9m0

> > > >

> > > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbSSEox-_vc & feature=related

> > > >

> > > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP5h3-hz4tc & feature=related

> > > >

> > > > And of course the Montessori School is 'on it' and now

offers

> sign

> > > > language to infants! BTW -for those that are seeking

> appropriate

> > out

> > > > of district placement for preschool or K-12 please check out

the

> > > > Montessori schools in your area too! Montessori encourages a

> > > > multisensory approach to learning -a proven method for those

> with

> > > > communication impairments!

> > > > Montessori School offers sign language for babies

> > > > Published:Monday, March 24, 2008

> > > >

> > > > A University of California study says infants who use sign

> > language

> > > > end up more advanced than their peers.

> > > >

> > > > YOUNGSTOWN — Baby talk can be cute, but chances are, parents

> don't

> > > > really know what their young children are trying to say.

> > > >

> > > > The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley hopes to change

> that

> > > > with an infant sign language class that aims to give a voice

to

> > > > babies who don't yet speak.

> > > >

> > > > Executive Director Amy-Anne Kibler said more than 17 years of

> > > > research show that early exposure to sign language can speed

> brain

> > > > development and verbal skills. It can also alleviate the

> > frustration

> > > > and guesswork of trying to figure out whether babies are

tired,

> > > > hungry, wet or in pain.

> > > >

> > > > Four-week sessions begin April 2 at the school, located at

2008

> > Lynn

> > > > Ave. in the Brownlee Woods section of the city.

> > > >

> > > > Classes will be offered on Wednesdays, from 11:45 a.m. to

12:45

> > p.m.,

> > > > and again at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The interactive class,

open

> to

> > > > children ages 6 months to 21‚Ñ2, gets parents involved and

> > encourages

> > > > bonding.

> > > >

> > > > Barbara Ricks, a speech and language pathologist, and

> > Wenzel,

> > > > an interpreter and deaf educator, will head up the program.

> > > >

> > > > A press release from the school touts a University of

> California,

> > > > study that says 35-month-old babies who learned sign

> > language

> > > > as infants speak almost one full year ahead of their peers.

The

> > study

> > > > also showed that 8-year-olds who signed as infants had IQs

that

> > were

> > > > 12 points higher than their nonsigning peers.

> > > >

> > > > The study also suggests that signing babies end up with

higher

> > levels

> > > > of self-esteem, a stronger bond with parents and an increased

> > > > interest in books.

> > > >

> > > > Parents are asked to sit on the floor with their kids in

their

> > laps,

> > > > and Kibler said this helps give them the best opportunity

for

> > early

> > > > expressive communication.

> > > >

> > > > For more information about the class, call the school at 330-

> 788-

> > 4622

> > > > or instructor Barbara Ricks at 330-540-1025.

> > > >

> > > > http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/mar/24/montessori-school-

offers-

> > sign-language-for-babies/

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > How sign language has helped in our group (and perhaps we'll

> hear

> > > > from antoher " old timer " soon?! )

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Re: Sign Language

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Hey Girlfriend!

> > > >

> > > > The story I have about sign language isn't as amazing as

yours

> > > > (which was basically what replaced and became " the reason

for

> > sign "

> > > > for The Late Talker book's final version)

> > > >

> > > > Tanner as I've posted only was taught simple signs, probably

> > because

> > > > once on EFAs he started to be able to say simple words, and

also

> > > > because the Summit Speech School even though it's for the

> hearing

> > > > impaired -acknowledged but didn't encourage the use of ASL

in

> > school

> > > > as much as verbal communication. The theory in the oral based

> > > > hearing impaired schools is that a deaf child who is

nonverbal

> by

> > 5

> > > > probably will never speak verbally -but one can learn to

sign

> at

> > any

> > > > age. While that theory worked for hearing impaired children -

> sign

> > > > for apraxic children is wonderful -but Summit Speech School

in

> all

> > > > other ways was perfect. (again -Tanner has normal hearing -

he

> was

> > > > just schooled for his preschool years at this school in out

of

> > > > district placement and it was incredible for him and a vast

> amount

> > > > of other hearing apraxic children who like Tanner are also

> > > > mainstreamed and great students today)

> > > >

> > > > One of the first simple signs taught to Tanner back then was

the

> > > > word " more " To

> > > > say more in sign language you take all your fingertips and

> lightly

> > > > tap them together a few times.

> > > >

> > > > Tanner was taught simple sign and simple picture exchange

> > > > communication for the same reasons as the other children

here -

> at

> > 2

> > > > to 4 he was essentially nonverbal and also during that time

he

> > > > rarely smiled or showed any type of facial expression.

Tanner

> for

> > > > the most part at 2 and 3 always had a blank look on his face

so

> it

> > > > was hard to know just what he was thinking. Was he happy?

What

> was

> > > > he thinking. At times it was hard, just so frustrating.

> > > > I mainly have the rare smile moments on the CHERAB site

> > > > Bottom of page here -classic " Tanner " look he was known for:

> > > > http://www.cherab.org/news/indexnews.html

> > > >

> > > > This story happened during that period and right before or

> around

> > > > the time we first started the EFAs.

> > > >

> > > > Tanner had a cold and I had just given him some kid flavored

> cold

> > > > medicine. As always I talked to him never expecting him to

> > answer -

> > > > just one way conversations. I asked with a big smile " That's

> good

> > > > stuff huh?! " Tanner looked up and me with no expression as

> always.

> > > > Then he lifted up his hands toward me, took his fingertips

and

> > > > started to tap them together. At first slow, then a bit

faster.

> He

> > > > just kept tapping them together and staring up at me

(probably

> > > > waiting for me to say something since I always said

something!)

> > But

> > > > there I was in shock -holding the spoon and staring at

> > him " talking "

> > > > to me. You see -that was the first time that Tanner 'ever'

> talked

> > > > to me. And yes it was to me just as clear as if he said " I

want

> > > > more "

> > > >

> > > > I'll never forget I called everyone to share. To think of it

> today

> > > > I'm sure most of the people I called probably had not a clue

> why

> > that

> > > > was such a profound moment to me -probably thought I was

losing

> > it.

> > > > You know what though - even today it's one of the most

precious

> > > > moments.

> > > >

> > > > And boy -how far we've come from then -now I have Tanner

reading

> > > > about Granny Torrelli to me and we are discussing about

Rosie's

> > best

> > > > friend Baily who is visually impaired and why he had to go

to a

> > > > different school then Rosie. How Tanner went to a different

> > > > preschool then most others...which reminds me.

> > > >

> > > > Other than remembering he talked with his hands -does

> >

> > > > bring up other stuff from when he was nonverbal that he

> remembers

> > > > today? For all of you with little kids that are still

> nonverbal -

> > > > just wait till they can talk, they'll blow you away with

what

> they

> > > > recall and how they viewed it!

> > > >

> > > > =====

> > > >