All Sign Language classes and events are currently ON HOLD.
Thank you for your understanding.
Imagine you wake with a start at 3 am, your baby is crying...again...and you don't know what the problem is. If only you could figure it out.
You can… through sign language!
If your baby’s ear hurts, he can tell you.
If she’s hungry, or wet, or tired, she can tell you.
If he's fascinated by the birds and squirrels out your window, he can tell you!
How Can You Learn This Baby Magic?!
Through Sign Language in Play classes - playful classes that engage little ones while teaching grownups how to use ASL signs to give their babies and toddlers a way to communicate before they can speak. Sign Language in Play gives your baby a way to COMMUNICATE!
Each week you come to class and spend precious time with your little one - singing, dancing, playing, making friends - while learning the how-to's of Baby Sign Language.
During every class we engage in conversations about your infant or toddler's development to make sure you feel confident in signing with your baby at home.
We chat about topics like:
- "How do I get my baby to pay attention to my words and signs?"
- "My baby isn't talking yet, is that normal?"
- “How many and which signs should I start with?”
- "When will my baby start babbling?" And so much more.
All of this while playing and spending meaningful time with your baby and other families in what might just become your favorite 45 minutes of the week! Come let us show you how FUN and rewarding signing with your baby can be!
To sign up for a class:
#1 - Read through the class descriptions below
#2 - Choose from the options listed and click the registration button
#3 - Fill in the registration form and pay
#4 - We'll email you a confirmation with all of the information you need for the class
#5 - Arrive at the class with your little one ready to play and learn together!
the classes
Take a Sneak Peek into Sign Language in Play
KIND WORDS
"Often kids with multiple languages have delayed speech. That is the case with our child. She just gets fussy and cries when she can't communicate what she wants/needs. We work on the signs for whatever she's crying over, and then she can confidently tell us what she needs with no tears. I couldn't be happier that this wonderful class was introduced into our lives."
"Christina is amazing. We took the entire series with our older daughter about 3 years ago and are now back with our younger daughter and love it just as much. Our older daughter knew OVER 300 signs by the end of the series!! We have also met some wonderful families through these classes. I cannot recommend baby sign language enough and the classes with PELP and Christina are top notch."
"Gemma has been attending sign class with Christina since she was 10 months old and she now can successfully sign 25 signs and recognizes and understands many more! Signing has allowed her to communicate effectively, and is a game changer for our family. I truly believe her grasp and understanding of communication through signing has helped with her speech as well. Her most recent accomplishment which is all thanks to signing, she now communicates when she needs a diaper change, which will certainly help with potty training!!!"
faq's
Sign Language in Play classes are dynamic and fun, with songs, playtime, music and movement throughout. Any given week we may dance, shake our shakers and scarves, engage in parachute play... and bubbles! There are so many bubbles!
Caregivers sit with their babies in a circle time while Christina leads the group through learning new signs and songs each week.
After a short strategy session, we spend some time socializing and playing with toys and books relative to each week’s theme. Then we re-group to finish up class together with a song or two!
Parents take home handouts after class.
Because it's fun, it’s rewarding and it works!
Babies can understand and use signs before they can speak allowing them to communicate their needs and wants earlier than babies who don’t sign. This eases frustration (for both parents and babies) making for less fussing and a more peaceful home life. Easing that frustration does a lot for your baby’s emotional development...being understood is emotionally satisfying and empowering!
Parents of signing babies report feeling “in tune” with their babies - understanding and communicating with your baby about her needs, wants, and interests promotes closeness and bonding between you.
This early and extensive experience with communication, turn-taking, and conversational skills leads to advanced language and vocabulary skills. Yes, signing babies are almost always early (and quite skilled) little talkers.
No. In fact, sign language usually accelerates spoken language. By always saying the words out loud while signing, babies get to learn orally, visually, and kinesthetically which actually helps the natural process of acquiring speech.
Research shows that most babies who have learned sign language speak earlier and more prolifically.
See a more in-depth explanation on our blog here.
We have families who start class with babies as young as 6 months all the way to toddlers as old as 2.
6-8 months is a great time to start classes because most babies are physically ready to sign back somewhere between 8-10 months.
It’s around that time they begin waving and clapping, and they begin to have more purposeful control over their bodies. Starting class a few months before that gives families time start incorporating signs into daily life and gives babies time to start learning what signs mean so that when they are physically ready, all the pieces have aligned.
Starting a little later is wonderful too! Babies and toddlers who are introduced to signs when they are a little older are likely to learn them more quickly because they are developmentally more ready. It’s rewarding to see these little ones pick up on signs so quickly.
Signs continue to be useful for many families well into toddler-hood as older babies struggle to articulate big feelings.
Regardless of when you begin, it will take some time to make signing a habitual part of your day and it will take some time for your baby to learn to watch for your signs and understand what they mean. We are here to help you navigate that!
Generally, babies tend to first sign back around 8-10 months old. This is variable as are many things related to baby development. Factors like when signing was taught and what milestones your baby is working on play a part.
Before your baby signs back, your baby can recognize your signs and respond to you. Imagine that! Older babies can often learn signs within days or weeks.