Albuquerque: Sign2Speak Playgroups & Workshops

Here is a newsletter from one of the homeschool parent-run companies that were in attendance at the May25th conference.-_Tabbi



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sign2speak
June 2007
www.sign2speak.com

signs vs. pantomime

Dear Friends,
Well, I'm officially back! After taking time to enjoy my baby, I have TWO workshops this month. If you know of anyone who has been waiting, the time is here.
Again, the Signing Play Group is back in swing. Join us next month at Body, Mind & Spirit. Let me know you're coming and I'll try to plan a session to meet your needs! If there are any older kids, I'll try to have something hands-on for them. And younger ones can continue to enjoy music, songs and more.
Happy Signing........................Amylee




IN THIS ISSUE


* Monthly Specials and Announcements
* Hearing Infants Prefer Signs to Pantomime
* Upcoming Events and Classes
* Links of interest - Arthur's Sign Design
* Featured Sign - SNAIL
* Photo
* Subscribe/Unsubscribe information


JUNE SPECIALS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

This month, I wanted to share some information about a new company I've recently ordered from. It's an educational game and toy company that donates all its profits to reputable charities!
I have a weakness for games. I think they are a great way to teach kids and have fun. When I stumbled across this company, Learning is an Art, I was impressed with their educational games and marked a few that would be great for my daughter where she is right now in her learning. I placed an order and it went smoothly, so I began talking to the company a little more. Turns out they are expanding and would love to grow in our area. I told the President I'd put feelers out for our area. I think this would be something great to share especially with all families, especially homeschool families. Their products are educational and meant to encourage families to play together. Plus, they donate ALL their profits to charities, which I like. Anyway, here's a page of more info and links to the company.

http://www.sign2speak.com/LIA/

I am not signed up with this company, though may have a party if she comes to town. I just think the company would work really well with homeschoolers and think their products are great. But again, I have a weakness for games!


Hearing Infants Show Preference for Signing over Pantomime

Something that always amazes me is what researchers are learning about newborns and infants and their abilities to distinguish sounds as part of their native tongues. At a few days old, infants can pick out their native tongue from a foreign one! They can recognize the consonants and vowels of all languages on Earth, and they can hear the difference between foreign language sounds that elude most adults. And infants, possibly even newborns, are able to recognize their mother's language. The left hemisphere of newborn infants' brains turn significantly more active when they are exposed to a recording of words spoken by their mother than to sounds emitted by playing the recording of the speech backward or when it is silent.
Our babies are primed for language! But it's not just spoken language. They also recognize a real signed language over random gestures! So keep using your signs, talking to your babies and reaping the rewards.
Read more here about infants prefering signing over pantomime:
http://www.washington.edu/newsroom/news/2002archive/06-02archive/k060402.html


UPCOMING CLASSES AND EVENTS

Saturday, June 9, 12-1pm
"Signing" with your Baby at Body, Mind & Spirit
Learn the basics of how to "talk" with your baby before he or she can say words! Grow closer to your child, while easing frustration and more easily satisfying his or her needs. $10 plus tax.
Saturday, June 9, 1-3pm
"Signing" with your Baby #2 Workshop at Body, Mind & Spirit
This follow-up workshop to Signing #1 will add to the basics of infant ASL, taking you to the next level. LOTS of vocabulary, strategies to make the signs easier to remember for both you AND baby, and more ways to keep you both excited about early communication. Join us for all this plus signing songs, games, and fun! $35 for up to two people. This will be a fast-moving workshop and we request participants do not bring along infants or children (or else bring along another adult to care for them).
Monday, June 11 , 2007, 9:15-10:15am
Diapering Options at Body, Mind & Spirit
CPFs? AIOs? PUL? Snappis? Sposies? When it comes to diapering, there are many choices out there. Join Amylee Udell in exploring new innovations and the old classics to discover which choice is right for you and your family. $10 plus tax.
Monday, June 11 , 2007, 10:30-11:30am
Toddler Pottytraining at Body, Mind & Spirit
You know it's coming up, but don't really know where to start! Can you start early? Too early? Should you buy that doll and video? Come learn approaches to "pottying" your child, advice from other parents, and tips to make this important milestone stress-free for both you and your child. With Amylee Udell. $10 plus tax.
Monday, June 18, 10-11:30am
Work-At-Home Options at Body, Mind & Spirit
Hear an overview of options and opportunities for parents looking to work from home either on a full or part-time basis. We will present a wealth of information, and participants will have an opportunity to hear the success stories of a variety of workers and employers and ask questions. $15 plus tax.
Saturday, June 30, 2007, 9:30-10:30am
Introduction to Infant Sign Language at the Women's Hospital (Lovelace Sandia's Health Education Program)
Learn the basics of "talking" with your baby before he or she can say words! Grow closer to your child, while easing frustration and more easily satisfying his or her needs. Amylee Udell of Sign2Speak will get you started and offer resources for learning more. $10 per person/$15 for two. Call 262-7335 to register.
Saturday, June 30, 2007, 10:45am-12:45pm
Sign2Speak: Sign with your Baby at the Women's Hospital (Lovelace Sandia's Health Education Program)
This follow-up workshop to Introduction to Infant Sign Language will add to the basics of infant ASL, taking you to the next level. LOTS of vocabulary, strategies to make the signs easier to remember for both you AND baby, and more ways to keep you both excited about early communication. Join us for all this plus signing songs, games, and fun! The intro class is a prerequisite for this workshop, so be sure to sign up for both. $35 for up to two people. Call 262-7335 to register.
Thursday, July 12, 2007 10-11am
Signing Playgroup at Body, Mind & Spirit
Join other signing families for songs, signs, visiting and more. Set up around a theme, each session will include casual activities and a lot of visiting and learning from each other. Intended for families already signing and who have at least attended the Sign2Speak one hour presentation. $5 plus tax.

LINKS OF INTEREST

Arthur's Sign Design
Practice Signing, Fingerspelling and more with Arthur! As the site state, it uses Signed English, not ASL. This applies to the sentences you can create, as the individual words/vocabulary ARE ASL signs.

FEATURED SIGN

I don't know about you all, but my kids have discovered snails out and about lately! Here's a sign for SNAIL:

This one is different from the one I learned, but similar. Come to playgroup and learn another way to sign SNAIL. See more signs at the WeeHands Beginning Signs Dictionary!
PHOTO
I welcome any and all photos and testimonials. Share this great signing adventure with others.


Copyright Information

Copyright 2007 Amylee Udell

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