Words by the Handful ASL手話の絵本

One of the things we do at home is read books which have included ASL vocabulary into the stories.  The series Words by the Handful by Mimi Brian Vance blends in well with the vocabulary taught in Baby Signing Time.

Each of the board books is just the right size for small hands.  The stories center around a little boy who can't speak clearly yet and his teddy bear who encourages him so use signs to communicate.  It is nice that these books each contain a story with the signs in an everyday context. Presenting the signs in this way not only teaches about how to make the signs but also gives an idea of when to use them.
Reading these books are another way that you can spend quality time with your child!

A Look At Classes

For the past 2 years I have been teaching Baby Signing Time " Sign and Play" classes as a Signing Time Academy certified instructor.  Here is a peak into the classroom:

 The Bricks classroom has a variety of items used for the various classes offered at Hana House.  We use some of them for the Sign and Play classes when they compliment the lesson.

Here is another view of the Bricks classroom. 

This is the original Hana House classroom.  The Advanced level of classes (Lesson 9-16) are often held here so that we can step outside for the lessons with outdoor themes. 

In this picture we are learning words such as "cloud" and "sun" before going outside to practice using the signs in an everyday situation.

During classes the songs we will sing are posted on the walls. 

These are some of the books which we use in class.  

Each lesson includes a story book which reinforces the signs of the day.  We also use 1-2 of the Sing and Sign Along books during our reading time.  The Signing Time board books are always sitting out ready for kids to look at or for parents to look up a new word or two.

Sign of the Week

Here are a couple more of the Signs of the Week!
 Bike
Full