Sign Language Support Groups for Toddlers
Sign language support groups help parents and young children to learn to communicate with each other and with others. Toddler sign-language groups tend to teach the basic signs of American Sign Language (ASL) so that children and parents become fluent in a universal language, rather than in family signs. Some groups offer public classes, while others offer private instruction.
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Wee Hands
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Wee Hands is an international sign-language support group that teaches parents, babies and toddlers how to use American Sign Language (ASL). Founded in 2001, Wee Hands focuses on language development, and instructs parents about activities that they can practice at home. One distinguishing feature of Wee Hands is the diversity of its instructors. Of the 50-plus instructors that teach classes across North America, some are ASL interpreters, speech-language pathologists or teachers of the hearing-impaired. To find a support group in your area, visit www.weehands.com.
My Smart Hands
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My Smart Hands is an international sign-language support group with over 100 instructors, all of whom are required to have formal ASL training. My Smart Hands offers four types of classes: Sing and Sign classes, Parent classes, Level I Signing classes and Level II signing classes. The Sign and Sing classes, which are geared for children of all ages, teach kids to sign the key words to classic nursery rhymes and children's songs. Parent classes are designed for parents to learn the basic ASL signs in a fast-paced class. Level I classes teach over 100 signs to babies/toddlers and parents/caregivers. Level II classes build upon Level I vocabulary and introduce signs for themes such as people, food, animal and emotions. To find a class in your area, visit www.mysmarthands.com.
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Small Talk Learning
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Small Talk Learning offers workshops for babies, toddlers and adults. Small Talk specializes in introductory ASL vocabulary through workshops that incorporate familiar nursery rhymes and children's songs. Workshops are designed for both parents and children to learn in tandem so that they can practice together at home. Small Talk only offers private workshops so you must pay for individual instruction for you and your child or assemble a group. Many clients opt for group instruction and invite family members and caregivers so that the child's primary community is fluent with basic ASL signs. To schedule a workshop, call 503-223-5622.
Sign Shine
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Sign Shine, which has locations throughout the state of California, offers ASL instruction to parents and babies over the age of 6 months. Sign Shine welcomes children with and without hearing impairment. If your child is hearing impaired, you are encouraged to bring non-hearing-impaired siblings to classes so that the whole family learns to communicate through ASL signs, rather than family signs. Sign Shine stresses the importance of formal sign language so that children with deafness learn to communicate with other members of the community, such as teachers and fellow students. Sign Shine offers classes in their facilities and at various places throughout the state. For instance, there is a special signing workshop at the Los Angeles Zoo. To learn more about Sign Shine, visit www.signshine.com.
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References
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