What is a Webinar??

“Sweet” from hands4learning.com

Exactly!  A Webinar is a sweet opportunity to learn something on-line, at your computer, in the comfort of your own home.  But you don’t have to do the research–you just log on and enjoy!

Baby Fingers offers Webinars, both live and recorded, to give you the opportunity to learn to sign with your child even if we don’t offer classes close to your home.  The webinars are interactive and engaging for baby and grown up alike.

Check out www.mybabyfingers.com/products.html for more details.  You can purchase webinars directly from our site via pay pal– there are plenty of recordings available, and we can schedule a live on-line class for you with family and friends as well!  Stay tuned for upcoming live webinars that will be offered to the general parenting public!  Adult ASL Webinars will be available soon too!

Whether you intend to incorporate sign language in your life for the long term or simply during this pre-verbal/developing verbal time, watch in awe as your baby or toddler discovers the world of language. See the research come to life, as music and sign language both aid in the development of language and literacy.

Freckleface Strawberry

Today, my family and I went to the New World Stages on W. 50th St. to see Freckleface Strawberry, the Musical.  Based on books by actress Julianne Moore, the story focuses on a girl named Strawberry who is teased for having freckles.

The set is quite special—simple enough for a children’s production, yet colorful and welcoming.  An oversized Freckleface Strawberry storybook openes and closes to reveal different places, such as the school playground, classroom, dance studio, and Strawberry’s bedroom.  A swing comes down from the fly space above, as do several props, and the jungle gym is around the band.

A musical duo accompanies the cast, with keyboards and drums/percussion.  Placed on a moveable platform right on stage, they become part of the tight ensemble– a cast of only seven.

While I am not a huge fan of adults portraying children in theater (I direct youth theater and much prefer children playing children), there were some high points in the performance.  The choreography was wonderful, and the cast was quite adept at dancing.  Jessica Bishop, who played the Ballet Girl, was perfectly cast in terms of her strong and graceful classical ballet.  Joey Haro, playing the part of Danny, showed off some capable tap skills which were later repeated by the full ensemble.  In the part of Strawberry, Hayley Podschun was clearly a capable actor/singer/dancer though acting as a seven year old – in my opinion – interfered with her vocal ability.  Mykal Kilgore, in the part of Harry, was quite strong vocally – his singing was impressive.  And overall, there were some nice harmonies in the score.

The show runs an hour, which is a comfortable length for children of all ages.  Based on the directing choices, Freckleface Strawberry seems to appeal most to children ages 6 and under.  The message, however, of believing in yourself and being proud of who you are, reaches audiences young and old alike.

Benefits and Myths of using American Sign Language with (hearing) babies.

At a year old, James understood most of Edie’s signs, but did not produce any. Until…. he ate lunch at a friend’s home. There was no room for his milk cup on his stroller, usually on the high chair tray. So, thirsty James requested milk from his mom, with a clear, deliberate sign!!!

Benefit: Your child will be able to communicate using signs from a real and complete language.
Myth: ASL signs are abstract and too difficult for a baby or young toddler to produce.

Benefit: Your child could begin to communicate with signs as early as 6-8 months of age.
Myth: Sign language requires coordination of at least a 2 yr. old.

Benefit: Signing babies often become early talkers.
Myth: If a baby or toddler uses sign language, then speech will not develop on time, if at all.

At 9 months of age, Maddie started (Baby Fingers) baby sign language classes with her mom. By 12 months, she was imitating all the signs from class and at 15 months, she was able to say and appropriately use all the words! Whenever mom did not understand her speech, Maddie simply repeated the word accompanied by the sign!