| Research demonstrates the benefits of teaching sign | | | | bachelors and masters degrees in the fields of |
| language to babies, including an increased command of | | | | childhood and deaf education, social work, psychology |
| verbal language. Overall communication skills improve | | | | and speech therapy. Their skills teaching sign language |
| when hearing children are exposed to a visual | | | | for babies are essential in making the experience both |
| language prior to speech development. Additionally, | | | | fun and educational; giving parents the assurance that |
| parent/child bonding is strengthened. Long term | | | | their children are learning something that will benefit |
| benefits include increased social skills, stronger | | | | them both socially and developmentally. |
| foundation for learning other foreign languages, larger | | | | The roster of class offerings at baby Fingers is as |
| vocabulary, and higher IQ. | | | | diverse as it is educational. You can start with |
| Baby Fingers unique programs explore the benefits of | | | | "Mommy and Me" sign language for babies, which |
| sign language for pre-verbal and non-verbal babies, | | | | begins with newborns, and progresses to age 3, |
| toddlers, and preschoolers by teaching ASL as early | | | | helping toddlers gain more in-depth grasp of language. |
| as possible. Exposure to ASL at an early age provides | | | | In addition, there are "Creative Play and Sign" classes, |
| access to language prior to speech development, | | | | which combine American Sign Language with |
| allowing babies and toddlers to communicate with their | | | | movement to music, stories and dramatic play. Not |
| parents at a much earlier age. | | | | only will this enhance creative expression and |
| Founding Director Lora Heller's background in deaf | | | | socialization, it will aid in strengthening vocabulary and |
| education, combined with her experience with her own | | | | comprehension. There are plenty of options for older |
| children who began signing at 6 months old, convinced | | | | children, including family and school workshops, home |
| her that sign language for babies was a worthwhile | | | | school classes, ASL for teens & adults and even |
| endeavor. Heller, a music therapist, combined sign | | | | interactive parties. There are no limits on how sign |
| language with songs and musical play. Realizing this | | | | language for babies can enrich the lives of your |
| process enhanced her children's ability to communicate | | | | children and you. |
| much sooner than babies without this type of | | | | For more information about Baby Fingers sign |
| stimulation. She founded Baby Fingers In 2000, to share | | | | language programs, faculty and class schedules visit |
| her experiences and expertise with other parents of | | | | Mybabyfingers. For supplemental learning at home, |
| babies and young children. | | | | Baby Fingers offers a range of webinars and books, |
| The staff of Baby Fingers is uniquely qualified to teach | | | | and other products, as well as valuable resources to |
| sign language for babies, with their unique backgrounds | | | | view documented research. In the New York area, call |
| and American Sign Language education. They have all | | | | 212 874-5978 to speak directly to the staff at Baby |
| completed professional training, as well as having | | | | Fingers. |