{Little Sign} Class 13 & 14 Review

Oklahoma was fantastic, and I even got to squeeze in a few days in Colorado with my best friend, Shannon!  The bummer is that I've been out for a week, sick. :(  So since I won't make it to class tomorrow, here are some ideas to keep up with your signing!  

Class #13: Friends & Feelings - FRIEND, PLAY, SHARE, NICE, FEEL, HAPPY, LAUGH, SAD, CRY

Class #14: Opposites - HOT, COLD, YES, NO, DIRTY, CLEAN, YOU, ME, BIG, SMALL, OPPOSITE, GAME

*Note - all of these signs can be found at www.signingtime.com/dictionary
(with the exception of BIG and SMALL, which are shown if you watch "Opposites" carefully on the DVD) 

SING & Sign:

*Start by playing the "Baby Signing Time Theme," from the Vol. 4 CD.

*Sing and sign along, and have fun interacting with your little one.  

*Try holding their arms and helping them sign BABY if they're willing. (Remember, Ellie fussed if I tried to guide her hands--then as she got older she asked me to help her fingers sign "H" and other things.  So you never know!) :)

READ & Sign:

*Read the book "WillYou Be My Friend?" by Baby Signing Time, while signing the words you know. 

(Use the cheat sheet at the back to help brush up on any you may have forgotten!)  

*Talk about the pictures and point to different things on the pages.

*Have some toys around to play with to help demonstrate playing and sharing.  After reading, do some free play.  Try signing things like SHARE, PLAY, NICE, and THANK YOU. 

*You can also bring out a stuffed animal and practice petting it NICELY.

WATCH & Sign:

*Show "Can You Feel It" to your little one from the Baby Signing Time DVD Vol. 4 "Let's Be Friends." (view the Preview tab to see part of this song in the link.)

*Imitate the emotions during the song (exaggerate and emphasize).  

*Talk about the babies on the screen.  "Ohhh, is she CRYING?  She feels SAD...  Look, now she's HAPPY!"  or "Look at them LAUGHING!  Can you LAUGH?" *tickle tickle*

SING & Sign:

*Play the song, "Opposites," from the Vol. 4 CD.

*Collect some hot (warm), cold, dirty, and clean items to interact with during the song.  Some ideas:

Hot: microwave a sock filled with rice

Cold: teething toy from the fridge

Dirty: puréed baby food

Clean: baby wipes

*Sign the word as you're playing with the item, and encourage little one to experience it as well.  ("See, touch it, what does it feel like?  Is it COLD?  Brrrr, COLD!")

Craft:

1) PHOTO BOOK - Take a picture of little one smiling, and another one of him pouting or crying. :(  Add this to your My Little Sign's photo book.  You could even do a messy picture (after eating?) and a clean one (after bath).

(You can find inexpensive 4x6 picture books at Target or the dollar store.  More ideas to add: pictures of little one doing activities--eating, playing, taking a bath, or getting a diaper changed; pictures of family members--mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, or even the family pet; pictures of baby holding/wearing/playing with a hat, shoes, book, ball, or blanket; and pictures playing outside with bubbles, in the grass, near a tree, or with flowers.) 

2) DIRTY & CLEAN - Make a sign for the dishwasher to show the opposites CLEAN and DIRTY. 

For CLEAN, trace little one's hand on cardstock.  For DIRTY, dip the hand in paint or brush glue on the hand, and after pressing the handprint on the cardstock, sprinkle sand/flax seed/glitter, or anything else messy.  Use a magnet below the appropriate hand to show the status of the dishwasher!  (You may want to laminate the paper or put it in a page protector to keep it safe!

3) BIG & SMALL - Trace your hand on black construction paper and cut it out.  Then brush white paint on to little one's hand and place it on the palm on the construction paper.  Such a cute contrast of big and small--and dark and light!

Now think of 3 signs that you're going to practice frequently this week!  My three will be: SHARE, HOT, and YES.  Feel free to comment below with your three!

Sign of the Week: MUSIC

So this was actually from two weeks ago, but I've been focusing on some other things lately!  Time to catch us up. :)

First off, I have to say that I'm typing this from a sort of "vacation" spot.  Our complex has been doing a lot of renovations and construction (for oh... years.), and this time around they got smart and have some furnished units that we can use during the day!  Complete with a coffee pot (of course this is listed first), TV (woohoo cable!), wifi, and even beds--so my peanut could take her nap undisturbed (hallelujah)!  I can't tell you how thankful I am for the peace and quiet.  And Ellie's thankful for Disney Junior. ;)

Okay so here we go...

"This week's" sign from the Signing Time Blog is... MUSIC!
(from Baby Signing Time DVD Vol 4: Let's Be Friends)

I also have a bunch of previous Signs of the Week in a  photo album (viewable on my Little Sign of Mine Facebook page even if you don't have a Facebook account).

1) How to sign MUSIC:
MUSIC: Hold your left (or non-dominant arm) out in front of you, perpendicular to your body.  Make a flat hand with your right (or dominant) hand, and sway or swing your hand over your arm--almost like you're conducting music.

*The cool thing about this sign is it is also the sign for SING and SONG.  As you make this sign, just say the word you're intending it to mean!
Example--"Should we put on some MUSIC?  What SONG do you want to listen to?  'Old MacDonald?'  Okay, let's SING along!" (Meanwhile, you're doing the same sign each time.)

2) Watch Rachel sign MUSIC & print the flashcard on the Signing Time Blog here.

3) Signing Activities:
*Infants:
-Anytime you hear music--whether at a grocery store, listening to a Baby Signing Time CD in the car, or playing with a toy that sings a song--sign and say MUSIC.  ("Do you hear the MUSIC?  Oooh, what SONG is this?")
-Make a drum circle for little one out of pots and pans.  Let him use his hands or give him a wooden spoon "drum stick."  Clap and cheer for him as he makes music, and encourage him by saying, "Good job, you're making MUSIC!" (while signing MUSIC).

(Source: Play Create Explore)

*Toddlers:
-Make your own sound treasure basket by collecting, making, or buying fun instruments.

(Image source: Fine Solutions)

-Check out this fun pin for lots of ideas on instruments you and your little one can make and explore together:

(Source: Red Ted Art)

*Preschooler:
-In addition to the toddler ideas, try making this fun windchime!
Using an old xylophone (check thrift store, garage sales, ebay, or Craig's List), hang pieces to an embroidery hoop using fishing line.  Talk and sign together about the MUSIC it makes.

(Source: Craftster forum)

4) Today's Challenge: Listen to a song and dance with your little one once a day, and practice signing MUSIC.  "Do you like this SONG?  It's so fun moving to the MUSIC!"

Happy signing!

Sign of the Week: CLOUD

This week's sign from the Signing Time Blog is... CLOUD!
(from Baby Signing Time DVD Vol 3: A New Day)

I also have a bunch of previous Signs of the Week in a photo album (viewable on my Little Sign of Mine Facebook page even if you don't have a Facebook account).

1) How to sign CLOUD:
CLOUD: Make two Cs, and hold them together side-by-side (away from you).  Then trace a puffy cloud as you circle them around and bring them back together (facing you).

2) Watch Rachel sign CLOUD & print the flashcard on the Signing Time Blog here.
And watch Ellie sign it as she sings a classic Winnie the Pooh song here!  (2 yrs)

3) Signing Activities: 

*Infant
- Point out clouds while on walks outside or when you come across them in board books.

*Toddler
- Sing and sign along to Winnie the Pooh (see Ellie's video above).
- Go outside and talk about types of weather.  "Is today a sunny day?  Or a CLOUDY day?" (Use same sign for the word CLOUDY since Sign Language shows a concept, not a specific variation of a word.)
- Make a cloud craft by drawing cloud outlines on construction paper and letting little one glue cotton balls to it.

*Preschooler
- Check out the Rachel and the Treeschoolers website (Episode 1, "A Rainy Day" is all about weather!)
- Download your free weather-related "Rachel and the Treeschoolers Activity Guide" (just need to register for free)
- Enjoy this preview of one of the songs from the Rachel and the Treeschoolers DVD ("A Rainy Day"):

4) Today's Challenge: Go for an intentional signing walk and use as many signs as you know as you and your little one explore together.  Some examples... GRASS, FLOWER, TREE, SKY, SUN, an of course--CLOUD!

Happy signing!

Sign of the Week: GAME

This week's sign from the Signing Time Blog is... GAME!
(from Baby Signing Time DVD Vol 4: Let's Be Friends)  For a 1 min preview of the DVD,click here.

I also have a bunch of previous Signs of the Week in a photo album (viewable on my Little Sign of Mine Facebook page even if you don't have a Facebook account).

1) How to sign GAME:
GAME: Make two fists with your thumbs up and knock your knuckles together two times.



2) Watch Rachel sign GAME & print the flashcard on the Signing Time Blog here.
And watch Ellie sign it here!  (2 1/2 yrs)  (first one is an outtake) :)

3) Signing Activities: 

*Infants - Play interactive games such as Peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake.
*Toddler - Click here for a coloring page from Deaf Ed Hub.

Games are great for also teaching our little ones concepts and skills.  Try including signs to teach social skills such as SHARE, YOUR TURN, and MY TURN, along with signs to reinforce manners, like PLEASE and THANK YOU.

Here is a collection of Ellie's and my favorite games:

1. Pengoloo  |  2. Twister  | 3. Uno Moo  | 4. The Enchanted Cupcake Party Game  |   5. Memory  |  6. Zingo

4) Today's Challenge: Play a game with your little one today!  Sign GAME before and after playing. (Want to play a GAME? ... Did you have fun playing our GAME?)

Happy signing!

Sign of the Week: Good Night (and Creative Book Sharing)

This week's sign from the Signing Time Blog is... GOOD NIGHT!
(from Baby Signing Time DVD Vol 3: A New Day)

For a 1 min preview of the DVD, look here on YouTube.

I also have a bunch of previous Signs of the Week in a photo album (viewable on my Little Sign of Mine Facebook page even if you don't have a Facebook account).

1) How to sign GOOD NIGHT:
GOOD: with two flat hands, touch your chin with the fingertips of your dominant hand, and bring it down to into your other flat hand (both palms up)
NIGHT: with two bent hands, cross your wrists together (bringing the dominant wrist over the other).  It's like you're showing the sun setting over the horizon.

2) Watch Rachel sign GOOD NIGHT & print the flashcard on the Signing Time Blog here.
And watch Ellie sign it here!  (2 1/2 yrs)

3) Signing Activities: 

Good Night... Wake up!
-Start this silly interaction game by signing and saying GOOD NIGHT (or NIGHT NIGHT), then closing your eyes and snoring.
-Wait a moment before you suddenly pop right up and open your eyes saying, "Wake up!"
-With babies you can do this sitting on the couch while they sit on you, facing you.
-As your little one gets older and becomes familiar with the game, they may want to be the one to prompt when it's time for you to go NIGHT NIGHT, and then reach out and touch you to wake you up. :)
-You can also lay on the ground for this game.  Don't our little ones just love climbing on us as soon as we lay on the floor?!  Ellie loved this one!  She would even pretend to be the one sleeping/snoring, and popping awake.  Once she even did this game after climbing into her old baby swing!

Good Night Moon:
-Read "Good Night Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown
-Say and Sign GOOD NIGHT to each of the items ("GOOD NIGHT, bears, GOOD NIGHT, chairs")
-For your extra little ones, I remember doing "NIGHT NIGHT, bears, etc." with Ellie.
-Practice Creative Book Sharing--example below

What is Creative Book Sharing?  It's essentially an intentional way of reading that engages your little one's imagination, draws them out from being a passive listener to becoming an active participant, makes stories fun and meaningful, and creates different encounters even while reading the same books over and over.

The following example is from the "Baby Signing Time Talk, Sign, & Read Parent Guide." (Families receive this handbook free in my class!)

Creative Book Sharing Example: Goodnight Moon
Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon is a classic bedtime story that young children love to hear over
and over again. Check out a copy from your local library and use the Creative Book Sharing strategies
suggested below while reading this story aloud:

*Note* Remember that these are suggestions that you can pick and choose from.  They're not in any particular order.  And they're not intended to sit and read the book seven times in a row (although our little ones may coax us into doing so!) :)

first reading:
Read the story aloud so your child becomes familiar with the rhymes and patterns within the text. Stop and talk about any pictures your little one expresses an interest in.

second reading:
There’s a little white mouse that appears on every spread. Read the words aloud, but before turning the page ask your child, “There’s a little mouse on this page. Can you find it? Yes, there it is!” When you get to the end, help your child come up with a name for the mouse.

third reading:
Teach your child the signs for MOON and STARS. As you read the story, sign these words with your child as they appear in the text or illustrations.

fourth reading:
Read the story aloud, then act out the story by helping your child say goodnight to the things in her room before she goes to sleep.

fifth reading:
Let your child open the book and turn the pages. As you read, run your finger under the text.

sixth reading:
Invite your child’s favorite stuffed animals or dolls to cuddle up and listen to the story.

seventh reading:
As you read, stop just before saying the last word on the page. Encourage your child to “fill in the blank” by saying the word aloud.

4) Today's Challenge: Say and sign GOOD NIGHT before each naptime and bedtime today!
I always wave and sign ILY (I Love You) as I close Ellie's door, too. :)

Happy signing!

Sign of the Week: Blanket | Creative Talk

Every Wednesday or Thursday I plan on sharing the Sign of the Week with you, which is taken from the Signing Time Blog.
I'll post a:
1) Sign description
2) Link to Rachel signing the word (and the flaschard pdf to save or print!)
3) Baby activity
4) Toddler activity

This week's sign is... BLANKET!  (from Baby Signing Time Vol 2: Here I Go)
Quite appropriate as I sit here all snuggled up with my heater on (a rare and cozy joy for us Southern Californians).

1) How to sign BLANKET:
Pretend to hold a blanket (picture the sign for the letter A) in your dominant hand (which is your right if you're right handed, left if you're a lefty), and slide it up your other arm all the way up to your shoulder.  It's like you're drawing your blanket up and around you.

2) Watch Rachel sign BLANKET & print the flashcard here.

3) Signing Activities: Birth-Toddlers

Peekaboo Variations:
-Grab a blanket (something big and lightweight like these Aden+Anais swaddlers works great), and toss it over your head.  Then let little one pull it off.  "Good job, you found Mommy under the BLANKET!"
-Hold the top of a blanket and let it hang like a wall between you and baby.  Bring it down slowly, then quickly, then hurry and lift it up again!  Laugh together as your play and peer from around the blanket.  "Wheeeere's Mommy?  Behind the blanket!  Peekaboo!  I see you!"  

Blanket Exploration: 
-Grab a blanket, and show it to your little one (again, love those Aden+Anais swaddlers)
-Say and Sign BLANKET
(Notice how you're more intentional with how you're saying and repeating "blanket?"  This repetition, emphasis, and your enunciation will play a large role in your little one's language development and vocabulary.)
-Let little one feel the blanket.
-Put your hand under the blanket and pretend it's "alive" by tickling your baby with it.
-Use Creative Talk as you explore, while continuing to sign BLANKET each time you say it whenever possible.  Vocalize the discoveries your little one makes as you explore together.

Here is an excerpt about Creative Talk that was taken from the "Baby Signing Time Talk Sign & Read Parent Guide." (Families receive this handbook free in my class!)

Creative Talk | How to do it:
1. Use your child’s name.
2. Show your child an object he is interested in (a toy, an apple, a pet).
3. Ask questions and talk about the object.  **Remember that these questions will most likely be entirely rhetorical.  You're just exposing your little one to this kind of language. :)  Give pauses after your questions as you would in a normal conversation to model this kind of interaction.**
4. Invite your child to explore the object using the five senses whenever possible.
5. Emphasize key words with your voice, facial expressions, body language, and signs/gestures.
6. Support learning by offering either-or choices: “Is this ball red or blue?” **Again, this is great to do even though your eight month old will have no idea! :) **

Example--
touch | Your blanket is soft, isn’t it? It feels so good!
sight | What colors are on your blanket? This color is blue.
sight | Can you find another part that is blue? Yes, this is blue, too!
smell | Your blanket just came out of the dryer. Let’s smell it. Mmm. It smells clean.
sound | What’s that under your blanket? A rattle! Let’s shake it. Can you hear it?
creativity | How can we make a house with this blanket?  What else can we make?

4) Signing Activity: Toddler-Preschooler

Build a Fort:
-Say and Sign BLANKET as you play (you can even sign and call this your BLANKET HOUSE)
-Talk about the blankets using Creative Talk (see above)  More examples: What happens when we pull the BLANKET like this? (cause and effect)  What does being in this fort remind you of?  Is it darker or lighter under here?
-Incorporate signs for COLORS as you play.
-Have a snack or read a book in your fort.  Bring a flashlight in as it gets darker and have fun with making shadows.

Imaginative Play:
-Engage with your little one in pretend play with a doll or stuffed animal.
-Is teddy bear sleepy?  Which BLANKET do you think the teddy bear would like?
-Which BLANKET is your little one's favorite?  Ask, "Why?"  (Give an either or choice)
-Talk about the purposes a blanket has--to keep us warm, to bring us comfort, etc.  **Again, it's great to expose your little one to this kind of dialog, even when (s)he doesn't know what to say!**

Happy signing!