Liven Up Baby and Liven Up Baby and Toddler Storytimes with Toddler Storytimes with

Sign LanguageSign Language

Presented by Presented by

Kathy MacMillanKathy MacMillan

Who is this woman?Who is this woman?Kathy MacMillan, M.L.S., N.I.C., Kathy MacMillan, M.L.S., N.I.C.,

Certified Sign2Me Network Certified Sign2Me Network PresenterPresenter

Author of:Author of:

Founder of Stories By Hand: Founder of Stories By Hand: www.storiesbyhand.comwww.storiesbyhand.com

Workshop OverviewWorkshop Overview

Benefits of Using Sign Language in Benefits of Using Sign Language in Your ProgramsYour Programs

Some Background About ASLSome Background About ASL Steps for Signing in Your ProgramsSteps for Signing in Your Programs Hands-On IdeasHands-On Ideas More ResourcesMore Resources Q&AQ&A

Why use sign language in your Why use sign language in your programs?programs?

The popularity of baby sign languageThe popularity of baby sign language Children can sign before they can Children can sign before they can

speakspeak Stimulates language developmentStimulates language development Empowers young children to Empowers young children to

communicatecommunicate Reduces frustrationReduces frustration Enhances language and social skillsEnhances language and social skills

Why use sign language in your Why use sign language in your programs?programs?

Provides a language bridge between Provides a language bridge between English and other spoken languagesEnglish and other spoken languages

Helps with problem solvingHelps with problem solving Helps children identify and manage Helps children identify and manage

emotionsemotions Enhances spoken vocabularyEnhances spoken vocabulary Enhances reading skillsEnhances reading skills Allows special needs children to Allows special needs children to

participateparticipate

Why use sign language in your Why use sign language in your programs?programs?

It’s popular with every age groupIt’s popular with every age group Adds a multicultural aspect to your Adds a multicultural aspect to your

programsprograms Gives your programs a “competitive Gives your programs a “competitive

edge”edge” It makes programs instantly It makes programs instantly

participativeparticipative It’s FUN!It’s FUN!

Why use American Sign Why use American Sign Language?Language?

It’s a language!It’s a language! Teaches a valuable skillTeaches a valuable skill Shows respect for Deaf cultureShows respect for Deaf culture

Some background about Some background about Deafness and ASLDeafness and ASL

ASL and English are 2 separate ASL and English are 2 separate languageslanguages

Sign language is NOT universalSign language is NOT universal A central value of Deaf CultureA central value of Deaf Culture Deaf vs. deafDeaf vs. deaf

TerminologyTerminology

Deaf and dumb Deaf-muteDeaf-mute Hearing impairedHearing impaired

Deaf or hard-of-hearingDeaf or hard-of-hearing

STEP 1: Decide which signs STEP 1: Decide which signs you want to use in your programyou want to use in your program Limit it to what you can handleLimit it to what you can handle Consider starting small and building Consider starting small and building

on your list each weekon your list each week Choose signs you can repeat Choose signs you can repeat

throughout the programthroughout the program Choose signs that will be meaningful Choose signs that will be meaningful

to your audienceto your audience Be prepared to adapt your listBe prepared to adapt your list

STEP 2: Learn the SignsSTEP 2: Learn the Signs

BooksBooks Videos/DVDsVideos/DVDs WebsitesWebsites SoftwareSoftware ClassesClasses Friends/familyFriends/family

www.aslpro.com

www.signingsavvy.com

STEP 3: Practice your signsSTEP 3: Practice your signs

Practice your sign productionPractice your sign production– Dominant hand movesDominant hand moves

Practice how you will teach/explain Practice how you will teach/explain the signsthe signs– Allow enough time for the children to Allow enough time for the children to

copycopy– Check their signs for accuracyCheck their signs for accuracy

Don’t always voiceDon’t always voice

STEP 4: Practice introducing STEP 4: Practice introducing sign language in contextsign language in context

Call it by name: American Sign Call it by name: American Sign Language or ASLLanguage or ASL

Acknowledge that it is mostly used Acknowledge that it is mostly used by deaf peopleby deaf people

Incorporate practical information for Incorporate practical information for parentsparents

STEP 5: Provide Follow-upSTEP 5: Provide Follow-up

Repeat the signs throughout the Repeat the signs throughout the programprogram

Provide handouts showing signs or Provide handouts showing signs or more information about using signs more information about using signs with young childrenwith young children

Share library materials about signingShare library materials about signing Build your signing vocabulary week to Build your signing vocabulary week to

week and repeat/reinforce past weeks’ week and repeat/reinforce past weeks’ signssigns

Some Hands-On IdeasSome Hands-On Ideas

Openings and ClosingsOpenings and Closings BooksBooks StorytellingStorytelling Bounces and RhymesBounces and Rhymes SongsSongs Prop ActivitiesProp Activities CountingCounting ColorsColors

Using Signs in Group ManagementUsing Signs in Group Management

Provides a visual cueProvides a visual cue Works on older kids too!Works on older kids too! Excellent for ADHD, special needsExcellent for ADHD, special needs Cuts down on the naggingCuts down on the nagging

Expanding Your ResourcesExpanding Your Resources

Non-children’s staffNon-children’s staff VolunteersVolunteers Parent volunteersParent volunteers Outside groupsOutside groups

– Scout groups & other community groupsScout groups & other community groups– School groupsSchool groups– Deaf groupsDeaf groups

Grow your own volunteersGrow your own volunteers

Resources to KnowResources to Know

Signing Time!Signing Time! Series Series MosesMoses books by Isaac Millman books by Isaac Millman Try Your Hand at This Try Your Hand at This by Kathy by Kathy

MacMillanMacMillan Storytime Magic Storytime Magic by Kathy MacMillan by Kathy MacMillan

& Christine Kirker& Christine Kirker Baby’s Favorite Rhymes to SignBaby’s Favorite Rhymes to Sign

by Penny Warner by Penny Warner

Questions?Questions?

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

For more American Sign Language For more American Sign Language resources, please see resources, please see www.storiesbyhand.com..

For more great storytime suggestions, For more great storytime suggestions, please see please see www.storytimestuff.net. .