Back by Popular Demand

The last Baby Sign class offered by Washtenaw Intermediate Schools was not enough! Therapists, teachers, administrators and preschool providers have asked for more. So on January 17 there will be one more session.

At the last session, there was a brief review of American Sign Language and then basic classroom signs were taught and an overview of some different ways to incorporate sign language into the preschool or early childhood day.

Then, the groups worked on making some lessons of their own with books, songs, or rhymes familiar to them and their areas of expertise. A page of ASL signs pertaining to a particular book, like Eric Carle's "Brown Bear", or story like "The Gingerbread man" or "Old Mc Donald" was given to each group and the two presenters wandered from group to group to check on sign production and answer questions.

The time flew by and the fabulous ideas that were generated by each group was phenomenal! There was not enough time for each group to do more than just present quickly, their ideas, signs and other creative ideas. What creative ideas each group had!

So, the groups want more. They want more lessons, more ideas, more signs. The presenters have agree do this and have asked the participants to send in ideas of daily routines, of books, and songs and rhymes that they would like to have the signs for. The enthusiasm for teaching signs and using signs is infectious.

So, in January and back by popular demand will be a sign workshop based on infants and toddlers. This post will include some lessons and ideas from the most recent and future group assignments. Stay tuned.