Liven Up Baby and Toddler Storytimes with Sign Language (March 2019)

Liven Up Baby and Toddler Storytimes with Sign Language (March 2019)

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  Liven Up BabyandLiven Up Baby and Toddler Storytimes withToddler Storytimes with Sign LanguageSign Language Presented byPresented by Kathy MacMillanKathy MacMillan
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  Who is thiswoman?Who is this woman? Kathy MacMillan, M.L.S., N.I.C.Kathy MacMillan, M.L.S., N.I.C. Author of:Author of: Founder of Stories By Hand:Founder of Stories By Hand: www.storiesbyhand.comwww.storiesbyhand.com
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  Why use signlanguage in yourWhy use sign language in your programs?programs?  The popularity of baby sign languageThe popularity of baby sign language  Children can sign before they canChildren can sign before they can speakspeak  Stimulates language developmentStimulates language development  Empowers young children toEmpowers young children to communicatecommunicate  Reduces frustrationReduces frustration  Enhances language and social skillsEnhances language and social skills
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  Why use signlanguage in yourWhy use sign language in your programs?programs?  Provides a language bridge betweenProvides a language bridge between English and other spoken languagesEnglish and other spoken languages  Helps with problem solvingHelps with problem solving  Helps children identify and manageHelps children identify and manage emotionsemotions  Enhances spoken vocabularyEnhances spoken vocabulary  Enhances reading skillsEnhances reading skills  Allows special needs children toAllows special needs children to participateparticipate
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  Why use signlanguage in yourWhy use sign language in your programs?programs?  It’s popular with every age groupIt’s popular with every age group  Adds a multicultural aspect to yourAdds a multicultural aspect to your programsprograms  Gives your programs a “competitiveGives your programs a “competitive edge”edge”  It makes programs instantlyIt makes programs instantly participativeparticipative  It’s FUN!It’s FUN!
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  Why use AmericanSignWhy use American Sign Language?Language?  It’s a language!It’s a language!  Teaches a valuable skillTeaches a valuable skill  Shows respect for Deaf cultureShows respect for Deaf culture
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  Some background aboutSomebackground about Deafness and ASLDeafness and ASL  ASL and English are 2 separateASL and English are 2 separate languageslanguages  Sign language is NOT universalSign language is NOT universal  A central value of Deaf CultureA central value of Deaf Culture  Deaf vs. deafDeaf vs. deaf
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  STEP 1: Decidewhich signsSTEP 1: Decide which signs you want to use in your programyou want to use in your program  Limit it to what you can handleLimit it to what you can handle  Consider starting small and buildingConsider starting small and building on your list each weekon your list each week  Choose signs you can repeatChoose signs you can repeat throughout the programthroughout the program  Choose signs that will be meaningfulChoose signs that will be meaningful to your audienceto your audience  Be prepared to adapt your listBe prepared to adapt your list
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  STEP 2: Learnthe SignsSTEP 2: Learn the Signs  BooksBooks  Videos/DVDsVideos/DVDs  WebsitesWebsites  SoftwareSoftware  ClassesClasses  Friends/familyFriends/family www.aslpro.com www.signingsavvy.com www.aslnook.com
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  STEP 3: Practiceyour signsSTEP 3: Practice your signs  Practice your sign productionPractice your sign production – Dominant hand movesDominant hand moves  Practice how you will teach/explainPractice how you will teach/explain the signsthe signs – Allow enough time for the children toAllow enough time for the children to copycopy – Check their signs for accuracyCheck their signs for accuracy  Don’t always voiceDon’t always voice
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  STEP 4: PracticeintroducingSTEP 4: Practice introducing sign language in contextsign language in context  Call it by name: American SignCall it by name: American Sign Language or ASLLanguage or ASL  Acknowledge that it is mostly usedAcknowledge that it is mostly used by deaf peopleby deaf people  Incorporate practical information forIncorporate practical information for parentsparents
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  STEP 5: ProvideFollow-upSTEP 5: Provide Follow-up  Repeat the signs throughout theRepeat the signs throughout the programprogram  Provide handouts showing signs orProvide handouts showing signs or more information about using signsmore information about using signs with young childrenwith young children  Share library materials about signingShare library materials about signing  Build your signing vocabulary weekBuild your signing vocabulary week to week and repeat/reinforce pastto week and repeat/reinforce past weeks’ signsweeks’ signs
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  Some Hands-On IdeasSomeHands-On Ideas  Openings and ClosingsOpenings and Closings  BooksBooks  StorytellingStorytelling  Bounces and RhymesBounces and Rhymes  SongsSongs  Prop ActivitiesProp Activities  CountingCounting  ColorsColors
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  Using Signs inGroup ManagementUsing Signs in Group Management  Provides a visual cueProvides a visual cue  Works on older kids too!Works on older kids too!  Excellent for ADHD, special needsExcellent for ADHD, special needs  Cuts down on the naggingCuts down on the nagging
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  Expanding Your ResourcesExpandingYour Resources  Non-children’s staffNon-children’s staff  VolunteersVolunteers  Parent volunteersParent volunteers  Outside groupsOutside groups – Scout groups & other community groupsScout groups & other community groups – School groupsSchool groups – Deaf groupsDeaf groups  Grow your own volunteersGrow your own volunteers
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  Resources to Know:VideoResources to Know: Video  Signing Time!Signing Time! Series (DVD andSeries (DVD and streaming)streaming)  Sign with Robert: Babies andSign with Robert: Babies and ChildrenChildren (DVD and streaming)(DVD and streaming)  ASL Nook: online at aslnook.comASL Nook: online at aslnook.com
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  Resources to Know:BooksResources to Know: Books  Little Hands & Big HandsLittle Hands & Big Hands by Kathyby Kathy MacMillanMacMillan  Storytime Magic, More Storytime Magic,Storytime Magic, More Storytime Magic, andand Baby Storytime MagicBaby Storytime Magic by Kathyby Kathy MacMillan & Christine KirkerMacMillan & Christine Kirker  Baby FingersBaby Fingers books by Lora Hellerbooks by Lora Heller  Baby Sign Language Basics and Songs forBaby Sign Language Basics and Songs for Little HandsLittle Hands by Monta Z. Briantby Monta Z. Briant
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  Questions?Questions?
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  THANK YOU!THANK YOU! Formore American Sign LanguageFor more American Sign Language resources, please seeresources, please see www.storiesbyhand.comwww.storiesbyhand.com.. For more great storytime suggestions,For more great storytime suggestions, please seeplease see www.storytimestuff.netwww.storytimestuff.net..