Category: ASL

First Signs to Introduce to Young Children

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Today I received an excellent question on my SIGNING FAMILIES FACEBOOK  page.  It was a very caring grandmother requesting information about First Signs for her young four year old granddaughter who is having sensory and learning challenges.. Where should they start? How can the school support their efforts and vice versa?

I have added a slideshow at the end of this blog to help answer this question. 

Here are my basic rules for teaching sign to children whether they are deaf / hard of hearing or have developmental challenges.  (These rules also can apply to teaching children “just because”.. which makes me all happy inside to think that so many are learning ASL for fun and to make communication bridges.)

1- Introduce signs that are in the child’s enviroment. Concrete signs.  Daily activities or objects.  Nothing that is abstract or not pertinent.

2- I always suggest learning a few signs such as MORE, WANT and FINISHED at the onset of ASL learning, too. These not only help with transitions but also can help with promoting positive behaviors.

3- Signs like I LOVE YOU and GOOD JOB will help the older child who is learning sign language feel comfortable.

4- Don’t use ASL in isolation. Have everyone in the child’s immediate environment learn ASL so that the child is an equal member of the family. Nothing is worse than a holiday celebration, an incidental conversation or a trip to the store where people are chatting all around you but you understand virtually nothing or very little. This is the scenario that has been retold to me time and time again by my deaf friends.

5- Learn only FIVE to TEN signs at a time.  Your child will be able to tackle more, but try to learn and introduce the new  signs in to your basic everyday conversation. Anymore than that and you may feel overwhelmed.

6. Involve your child in to the local deaf community. And, yourselves!  There is a wonderful deaf community waiting to embrace you and share the rich culture that has been part of the fabric of Deaf Life here in the United States.

7. Read up on great resources and also indulge in social media to help you explore for more.  See my resource link page on Signing Families for more info.

FIRST SIGNS LIST

MORE

DRINK

EAT

SLEEP

BATH

PLAY

MOMMY

DADDY

COME

GO

FINISHED

TIME FOR

WANT

DON’T WANT

HELP 

FRIENDS

BOOK

POTTY

WAIT

CAREUL

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FUN with ANGER MANAGEMENT!? A guest post by Wendy Young, Founder of Kidlutions

Published on by LouiseSattler1 Comment

I am giving over this weeks blog to my  friend and colleague, Wendy Young, of Kidlutions. She and I just had a wonderful time at the MIAEYC conference.  Now you can read her “take” on the event. And, if you missed our presentation, don’t panic.  Just comment below and we will be in touch and let you know how to get a copy of the materials.  Read this original post here: http://www.kidlutions.blogspot.com/

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Fun with Anger Management for Kids

Oxymorons
It seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it?  Fun with anger managment for kids?  But that’s exactly what we had went one of my twitter BFF’s and I met up (for the first time ever) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children’s Spring Conference.
Louise Sattler from Signing Families and I have been long-timefacebook, twitter and coffee-drinking-early-morning-phone-connectors.  It was high time that we meet in person.  Louise is everything I thought she’d be and more.  Sweet, petite and a powerhouse of information and energy.  She’s a firecracker!  (We never did have a cup of coffee while we were together, so we’ll have to definitely do so the next time we meet up!)
Beach Ball, Bubbles and Bugs (and MORE)
Our attendees learned creative interventions for angry children which included, beach balls, playdoh, bubbles, bugs, magic wands and more!  Louise provided the grand finale regarding using ASL in the classroom to help prevent behavior problems.  I had a hoot watching Louise do ASL in person.  I’ve seen her do it on her award-winning videos, but if you ever get a chance to see her live, don’t miss it.  She doesn’t disappoint! Ohmigosh…and the prizes that the audience was treated to!  Phenomenal!
Teachers that Make a Difference
In our top picture, you’ll see our attendees give us “applause” at the end of our session.  This group of educators was top-notch and it was an honor to spend the afternoon with them!  They learned how they can help change brains, and improve outcomes for kids at-risk due to problems with self-regulation!
It was a great day, indeed!
Louise and me prior to our workshop!
To book a speaker for topics relating to education, and almost everything else under the sun, be sure to check out411Voices.comhttp://www.411Voices.com.  The speaker’s bureau covers a wide range of topics with seasoned experts on multiple topics.
To get your free copy of our signature Anger Toolbox for Kidsintroduction (including an MP3, printables and more, go here!

LOVE SHOULD NOT HURT.. A Campaign Sponsored by 411 VOICES

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This month the experts of 411 VOICES are dedicating our efforts and shining the spotlight on domestic violence and school bullying. Our hopes are to educate all and support victims.  We have listed numerous resources, including videos in ASL on the 411 VOICES website. Click here for our list
 
Below is a video in ASL created by Gallaudet University students. Please support our efforts by following 411 VOICES on Twitter (@411VOICES) and “retweeting” the information we post so we can help to save lives and show support to victims of domestic violence and bullying.
 

Per request, Another ASL Vocabulary Lesson for the New Year!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I have had multiple requests for new vocabulary to be uploaded on to my SIGNING FAMILIES FACEBOOK page.  However, it is cumbersome and you can’t offer a groovy slideshow. So, without further ado, enjoy your ASL VOCABULARY lesson to start the NEW YEAR! For more information about learning ASL online, CLICK HERE.

Other ways to connect:  SIGNING FAMILIES     *       Twitter      *        YouTube Channel

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2011 – Learn, Create, Support, Educate and Breathe

Published on by LouiseSattler1 Comment

This has been quite a year! So, as usual I will defer to photos instead of words to capture the year – end synopsis. From many traveling opportunities such as to Mac World with The PaperShow, EMS trainings, Parent- Child workshops, to creating educational videos for abcteach.com, products for SIGNING FAMILIES (hence all the kids in photos), and including tons of time working in media and social media and with Education.com, expanding my professional horizons with the  co- creation of 411 VOICES and my joining The Linicomn Agency – LA Division for Exceptional Talent, to time time with family and friends and battling the beast (cancer) only to turn those lemons in to a Twitter-esque lemonade, and much more!… WHEW..

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The SIGNS of the HOLIDAY SEASON….

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Madelyn and Jake, two of our SIGNING FAMILIES KIDS

This year I made a new holiday sign language video with the help of some really awesome kids! Feel free to check out Madelyn, Jake, Samantha and many more in our Just for Kids Holiday Signs Video. (See below or click on the link to go directly to YouTube)

Almost daily I post sign language instructional resources and information to help those in the special needs communities on my  SIGNING FAMILIES FACEBOOK page.  

Want to make a New Years Resolution to Learn SIGN LANGUAGE? Check out our new online courses on the SIGNING FAMILIES website and tons of links to help you on your way!

  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

NATIONAL EMERGENCY ALERT TEST 2 PM EST… ASL ACCESS

Published on by LouiseSattlerLeave a comment

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 has been designated as the National Emergency Alert Test Day.  This will be only a TEST.  Information that is IMPORTANT for our deaf friends can be found here   (The video includes American Sign Language– ASL)

Below you will find the SIGNING FAMILIES Sign Expressions Emergency Card that was created for EMS, Firefighters, Law Enforcement , to name a few, to help facilitate communication with ASL users and Spanish speakers.  Send an email to INFO@SigningFamilies.com to learn how you or your organization can receive one or more cards for less than 75 cents each (this weeks special).