Baby Fingers Mommy and Me Sign Language Program

The three levels of Baby Fingers Mommy & Me Sign Language courses are designed to improve communication between parents and their infants or toddlers in a safe and supportive environment with other families, while enhancing children's language skills and motivating their speech development. The program is geared to hearing youngsters and hearing parents, though deaf parents and/or deaf youngsters will benefit from these classes as well. Classes are offered in collaboration with Lora Heller, founder of Baby Fingers.

Studies have shown that there are clear benefits to teaching sign to young children. One longitudinal study conducted by the University of California at Davis, which followed Baby Fingers participants through their eighth year, concluded that babies who sign tend to have a stronger command of verbal language and also begin speaking at an earlier age than babies who do not sign. The study also indicated that the interactive program strengthened the parent-child bond, increased the child's interest in books, and boosted I.Q.

"Signing is a normal part of language development," said Linda Acredolo, co-author of Baby Signs: How to Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk. "It is an absolutely normal way for babies to deal with the frustrations of not being able to say words."

Learn Sign Language through songs and musical play with other families. Whether you intend to incorporate sign language in your life long term or simply during this pre-verbal/developing verbal time, watch in awe as your baby discovers the world of language. See the research come alive as music and sign language both aid in the development of language and literacy. The cost for courses is $150.00 per family (defined as one child and two adults) plus a $10.00 registration fee; for a 2nd child receive a 50% discount and pay $75.

Free Introductory to Baby Fingers Mommy and Me Sign Language

Baby Fingers Mommy and Me Sign Language Level 1

Baby Fingers Mommy and Me Sign Language Level 2

Baby Fingers Mommy and Me Sign Language Level 3

For registration information, visit the How to Register page.

To find out about the start and end dates of these quarterly classes, download our brochure. Please note that all course information is subject to change.

Free Introductory to Baby Fingers Mommy and Me Sign Language

Reservation for this free workshop is strongly recommended. Reserve or check for date at (718) 482-5324 or e-mail Yakov Shifrin.

Baby Fingers Mommy and Me Sign Language Level 1

Part one in a three-course sequence designed for newborns through age 12 or 15 months covers "need based" vocabulary, such as "milk" and "apple."

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Baby Fingers Mommy and Me Sign Language Level 2

Part two in a three-course sequence designed for young toddlers, 12 months through two years teaches vocabulary that is "interest based" with review of the basic signs, such as animals, transportation, food, and color signs.

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Baby Fingers Mommy and Me Sign Language Level 3

Part three of a three-course sequence designed for older toddlers, 16 or 18 months through age three focuses on combining words and signs, and developing more complex language. Examples are activities in story telling, games, songs and dramatic play.

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