Class Descriptions

My Smart Hands Level I

These classes run in either 4, 8, or 10 week sessions. The 4-week session introduces you to every day words, family signs, food and animals. In the 8 and 10 week session you will learn over 100 signs to use with your child. The 8 and 10 week session allows for more review, discussions, songs and practice of signs. Classes are 45 minutes in length and are created for parents/caregivers and babies. In a playful, educational and language-rich environment, caregivers and children will build their American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary through instruction, interactive games and songs. You will learn recommended first signs; we will discuss the benefits of using ASL with infants and demonstrate easy techniques for successfully integrating signs into everyday life. Some of the ASL vocabulary covered for this age group includes: everyday words, family, food, animals, emotions, opposites, bed time and play signs.

Cost for Level 1 & 2 Classes are $125.00 which includes a manual (for each level) and song CD for Level 1.

My Smart Hands Level II

These classes are designed for graduates of My Smart Hands™ Level I class or for infants with basic ASL comprehension. These classes run in either 4, 8, or 10 week sessions. The 4 week session introduces you to people, food, animal and emotion signs. In the 8 and 10 week session you will learn over 120 signs to use with your child. The 8 and 10 week session allows for more review, discussions, songs and practice of signs. Classes are 45 minutes in length. We will review signs learned in My Smart Hands™ Level I and continue to build our signing vocabulary. Weekly themes covered in class include: people, food, animals, emotions, opposites, weather and color signs.

Cost for Level 1 & 2 Classes are $125.00 which includes a manual (for each level) and song CD.

Sign and Sing Classes

Young children are active, creative and spontaneous. They love to sing, listen to music and dance to different songs that have various rhythms and beats. For ages, children have loved to put actions to songs such as ‘The Itsy Bitsy Spider’ and ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. In the ‘Sing & Sign’ class we teach the ASL signs that go along with traditional children’s songs as well as learn new modern songs. We will learn how to sign the key words in each song, play games, read books and review signs. But more importantly, we will laugh and have FUN!

Parent Workshops

These workshops are geared towards busy parents who are unable to take a full 8 week class. Learn how to enrich your child's language development by increasing vocabulary and building self-confidence through the use of American Sign Language (ASL). This workshop is an introduction to the benefits of using ASL with your child. Children are not only auditory learners they also learn visually and kinesthetically (touch and experience). Using sign language with your child encompasses all learning styles. Your child will hear you when you say the word, he/she will see you make the sign and will also experience/feel the word as he/she learns to sign. This workshop is designed for the busy parent; you will learn recommended first signs and easy techniques for successfully integrating signs into everyday life. Over 100 signs will be introduced. Fee includes a full color MSH™ curriculum book.

Educator Workshops

These workshops are designed to give teachers the tools to incorporate American Sign Language (ASL) into the current curriculum. As educators, we know that there are different types of learning styles in the classroom; auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Using sign language in your program encompasses all learning styles. The students will hear you when you say the word, he/she will see you make the sign and will also experience/feel the word as he/she learns to sign. These workshops are designed to suit the specific needs of the school. Teachers will learn about the research supporting the use of sign language in the classroom, they will be given resources and will be provided with vocabulary specific to classroom use.