While I take a break from writing about our decision, I do find it hard to stay away completely. I have become addicted to my blog in all its glory.
American Sign Language — it’s an important topic to me, one that I have seen come up in adoption forums quite a bit recently. Over the past year, I have slowly been trying to build a buzz for my Sign & Discover program — ASL workshops and classes for hearing children, parents and educators. I have been signing with my family for almost 6 years now and it has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my parenting. I definitely look forward to using it more 😉 I can go on and on about my love of ASL and how it has benefited by children and family as a whole. I can go on and on about how my children were telling me their wants and needs beginning at just 8 months old in clear and concise ways, how Emma signed “pain ear pain ear” at 11 months old, which led me to take her to the doctor and discover she had a double ear infection. I have a web site that is under construction — all this and more will be available to learn from later this spring at www.signanddiscover.com. In the meantime, if anyone is interested in learning about how American Sign Language can benefit your family and foster early communication, please feel free to ask me any questions and contact www.sign2me.com to find a class in your area.
I am attaching photos of me signing this week in Emma’s classroom. I’m teaching them songs for their end of school show. Tomorrow I am teaching a staff workshop for 22 teachers at a nursery school on Staten Island. After having a busy career in public relations for many years, and then home for a while, I definitely enjoy the stimulation of all aspects of building this business from the ground up. I have designed a great career for myself (based on something I feel such passion for) during this chapter of my life. I’m very grateful for this.
No, I am not holding “Chuckie” — that is Signing Sam, my signing puppet 😉
Steph,
That is wonderful you are teaching about signing! I have been trying to teach Henry how to sign, I think he understands it but has not done it yet back to me. I am trying so hard with the” more” sign, but no luck yet. Any tips any getting them to do it?? I really don’t know that many signs myself. Henry’s speech teacher has been showing some to me. She feels it will really help Henry express his needs and wants since he can not talk yet.
Glad to see you are still blogging!!
Carolyn
Steph,
That is wonderful you are teaching about signing! I have been trying to teach Henry how to sign, I think he understands it but has not done it yet back to me. I am trying so hard with the” more” sign, but no luck yet. Any tips any getting them to do it?? I really don’t know that many signs myself. Henry’s speech teacher has been showing some to me. She feels it will really help Henry express his needs and wants since he can not talk yet.
Glad to see you are still blogging!!
Carolyn
Steph,
That is wonderful you are teaching about signing! I have been trying to teach Henry how to sign, I think he understands it but has not done it yet back to me. I am trying so hard with the” more” sign, but no luck yet. Any tips any getting them to do it?? I really don’t know that many signs myself. Henry’s speech teacher has been showing some to me. She feels it will really help Henry express his needs and wants since he can not talk yet.
Glad to see you are still blogging!!
Carolyn
hi! The key to the signing is not giving up. In truth, I began with Emma at 6 months old. She showed excitement (kicking, squeals) when I would sign “milk” but only first showed me the sign (her version of it) at 8 months. It grew from there. Eden, on the other hand – I started with her at 5 months old. She did not do her first sign for FIVE MONTHS more months. But I knew to keep going at it and just kept going about my business signing consistently with 3 or 4 signs. (Winds up she had low muscle tone and perhaps could not physically do it earlier.) However, once Eden got it, she quickly surpassed Emma in how much she caught on. I learned along with her for many signs. My tips to you are to start with 4 important signs “eat”, “milk”, “more” and “all gone.” Do them consistently as best you can. “More” for a snack, “more” when you play a game and pause to see if he wants more, “more” tickles. Even if it takes a few more months (when did you begin?), don’t give up because he’s absolutely processing it and soon the rewards will be great. I’ll show you more stuff when I see you in a few weeks!
Steph
hi! The key to the signing is not giving up. In truth, I began with Emma at 6 months old. She showed excitement (kicking, squeals) when I would sign “milk” but only first showed me the sign (her version of it) at 8 months. It grew from there. Eden, on the other hand – I started with her at 5 months old. She did not do her first sign for FIVE MONTHS more months. But I knew to keep going at it and just kept going about my business signing consistently with 3 or 4 signs. (Winds up she had low muscle tone and perhaps could not physically do it earlier.) However, once Eden got it, she quickly surpassed Emma in how much she caught on. I learned along with her for many signs. My tips to you are to start with 4 important signs “eat”, “milk”, “more” and “all gone.” Do them consistently as best you can. “More” for a snack, “more” when you play a game and pause to see if he wants more, “more” tickles. Even if it takes a few more months (when did you begin?), don’t give up because he’s absolutely processing it and soon the rewards will be great. I’ll show you more stuff when I see you in a few weeks!
Steph
Also, be aware that Henry might first do an approximation of “more” which might look like two fists together, two pointer fingers together, one hand pointing to the other, etc (whatever his own version is). Increased fine motor skills will help the actual sign materialize but be sure to recognize and acknowledge (and PRAISE) any approximation when they come.
The actual sign for more is all fingertips of both hands touching but there is a photo on this blog entry of Eden signing “more” with only her thumbs and forefingers touching. Another example of approximations is when Emma first began signing milk, it was with a slight waving wrist side to side, like she was working out a kink in her wrist. She was unable at that time to use all her muscles to squeeze her fist (like squeezing a cow’s udder), but over time the wave did indeed became a squeeze. Sign for milk is also on my photos, with me and Eden holding the glass of milk.
Also, be aware that Henry might first do an approximation of “more” which might look like two fists together, two pointer fingers together, one hand pointing to the other, etc (whatever his own version is). Increased fine motor skills will help the actual sign materialize but be sure to recognize and acknowledge (and PRAISE) any approximation when they come.
The actual sign for more is all fingertips of both hands touching but there is a photo on this blog entry of Eden signing “more” with only her thumbs and forefingers touching. Another example of approximations is when Emma first began signing milk, it was with a slight waving wrist side to side, like she was working out a kink in her wrist. She was unable at that time to use all her muscles to squeeze her fist (like squeezing a cow’s udder), but over time the wave did indeed became a squeeze. Sign for milk is also on my photos, with me and Eden holding the glass of milk.
This is a test to see if I can post a comment in your blog. Sign langauge seems to be very interesting! I can`t wait to learn more. I am going to check the site when I come home. I can`t wait to meet you. I am so glad you decided to adopt from Kazakhstan, and I can`t wait to follow your story. Regarding 1 or 2 children, younger or older, after all we have experienced here, I think you just have to come with open heart and you will find the right child/children for you. Is going to be pretty hard for you with 4 children. I dont know how am i going to manage with 2, but to have 4 is going to be a challenge. We have Monica, as an example she has 5 boys and is going to adopt a little girl.
Love from kazakhstan,
Catalina
This is a test to see if I can post a comment in your blog. Sign langauge seems to be very interesting! I can`t wait to learn more. I am going to check the site when I come home. I can`t wait to meet you. I am so glad you decided to adopt from Kazakhstan, and I can`t wait to follow your story. Regarding 1 or 2 children, younger or older, after all we have experienced here, I think you just have to come with open heart and you will find the right child/children for you. Is going to be pretty hard for you with 4 children. I dont know how am i going to manage with 2, but to have 4 is going to be a challenge. We have Monica, as an example she has 5 boys and is going to adopt a little girl.
Love from kazakhstan,
Catalina
This is a test to see if I can post a comment in your blog. Sign langauge seems to be very interesting! I can`t wait to learn more. I am going to check the site when I come home. I can`t wait to meet you. I am so glad you decided to adopt from Kazakhstan, and I can`t wait to follow your story. Regarding 1 or 2 children, younger or older, after all we have experienced here, I think you just have to come with open heart and you will find the right child/children for you. Is going to be pretty hard for you with 4 children. I dont know how am i going to manage with 2, but to have 4 is going to be a challenge. We have Monica, as an example she has 5 boys and is going to adopt a little girl.
Love from kazakhstan,
Catalina
For those who may not know Steph (and indeed I’m sure there are many of her readers who don’t), let me say that words cannot describe her any more than her pictures, her postings, or her musings. She is all thing wonderful and wonderous.
Whatever you’re experiencing as a result of reading her blog is nothing – nothing! – compared to knowing and loving her for as long as we have.
You go, girlfiend!!
XOXOXO
For those who may not know Steph (and indeed I’m sure there are many of her readers who don’t), let me say that words cannot describe her any more than her pictures, her postings, or her musings. She is all thing wonderful and wonderous.
Whatever you’re experiencing as a result of reading her blog is nothing – nothing! – compared to knowing and loving her for as long as we have.
You go, girlfiend!!
XOXOXO
For those who may not know Steph (and indeed I’m sure there are many of her readers who don’t), let me say that words cannot describe her any more than her pictures, her postings, or her musings. She is all thing wonderful and wonderous.
Whatever you’re experiencing as a result of reading her blog is nothing – nothing! – compared to knowing and loving her for as long as we have.
You go, girlfiend!!
XOXOXO
And that is why Friends are the Family we choose. Thank you so much for these kind words!! I am blessed to have you in my life, D & B!
And that is why Friends are the Family we choose. Thank you so much for these kind words!! I am blessed to have you in my life, D & B!
And that is why Friends are the Family we choose. Thank you so much for these kind words!! I am blessed to have you in my life, D & B!
We know a few signs around here but not many. I am wondering since we are going to adopt a 3 1/2 to 4 year old from Ethiopia, if it would help her. (by the way, we are naming her Eden. I look forward to following your blog.
Debbie
We know a few signs around here but not many. I am wondering since we are going to adopt a 3 1/2 to 4 year old from Ethiopia, if it would help her. (by the way, we are naming her Eden. I look forward to following your blog.
Debbie
We know a few signs around here but not many. I am wondering since we are going to adopt a 3 1/2 to 4 year old from Ethiopia, if it would help her. (by the way, we are naming her Eden. I look forward to following your blog.
Debbie
You are such a smart, kind, caring and generous girl. You fill Dad & I with such pride and joy. Should this dream come true there is one very lucky child out there waiting to become part of the Karp family
You are such a smart, kind, caring and generous girl. You fill Dad & I with such pride and joy. Should this dream come true there is one very lucky child out there waiting to become part of the Karp family
You are such a smart, kind, caring and generous girl. You fill Dad & I with such pride and joy. Should this dream come true there is one very lucky child out there waiting to become part of the Karp family
How wonderful! Those are great pictures and that photo of your daughter in the center is gorgeous.
We are planning to use baby signs with our child too and are very excited about it.
How wonderful! Those are great pictures and that photo of your daughter in the center is gorgeous.
We are planning to use baby signs with our child too and are very excited about it.
How wonderful! Those are great pictures and that photo of your daughter in the center is gorgeous.
We are planning to use baby signs with our child too and are very excited about it.
Debbie, yes, signing will be a great language bridge for your new child! It will augment speech as she learns English. Regina, wonderful! Check out http://www.sign2me.com and http://www.signingtime.com. These programs use true ASL and not modified signs that some companies do call “baby signs.” True ASL is best because the signs will be consistent in your home, at schools, with others who know ASL — and your child will be learning the 3rd most used language in the USA. (Disregard if you were just using the term “baby signs” as an expression which just meant you’d be signing with your baby.) Sign2Me has info that talks about the benefits of using true ASL vs using “modified” signs. Your baby might modify ASL on their own till they “get” it, but once they do it will be correct. Gymboree offers Baby Signs classes but the signs are not consistent with what my kids know.
Last but not least, Mom, thank you so much for your continued support. Glad you finally checked out my blog. I LOVE YOU!
Debbie, yes, signing will be a great language bridge for your new child! It will augment speech as she learns English. Regina, wonderful! Check out http://www.sign2me.com and http://www.signingtime.com. These programs use true ASL and not modified signs that some companies do call “baby signs.” True ASL is best because the signs will be consistent in your home, at schools, with others who know ASL — and your child will be learning the 3rd most used language in the USA. (Disregard if you were just using the term “baby signs” as an expression which just meant you’d be signing with your baby.) Sign2Me has info that talks about the benefits of using true ASL vs using “modified” signs. Your baby might modify ASL on their own till they “get” it, but once they do it will be correct. Gymboree offers Baby Signs classes but the signs are not consistent with what my kids know.
Last but not least, Mom, thank you so much for your continued support. Glad you finally checked out my blog. I LOVE YOU!
Debbie, yes, signing will be a great language bridge for your new child! It will augment speech as she learns English. Regina, wonderful! Check out http://www.sign2me.com and http://www.signingtime.com. These programs use true ASL and not modified signs that some companies do call “baby signs.” True ASL is best because the signs will be consistent in your home, at schools, with others who know ASL — and your child will be learning the 3rd most used language in the USA. (Disregard if you were just using the term “baby signs” as an expression which just meant you’d be signing with your baby.) Sign2Me has info that talks about the benefits of using true ASL vs using “modified” signs. Your baby might modify ASL on their own till they “get” it, but once they do it will be correct. Gymboree offers Baby Signs classes but the signs are not consistent with what my kids know.
Last but not least, Mom, thank you so much for your continued support. Glad you finally checked out my blog. I LOVE YOU!
That’s wonderful, I wish I knew ASL. I did teach Olivia a few signs when she was about 18 months old, she was slow to talk and it really helped with the frustrations. The only one we really used was the sign for ‘more’. I tried to teach some others, like ‘milk’.
That’s wonderful, I wish I knew ASL. I did teach Olivia a few signs when she was about 18 months old, she was slow to talk and it really helped with the frustrations. The only one we really used was the sign for ‘more’. I tried to teach some others, like ‘milk’.
That’s wonderful, I wish I knew ASL. I did teach Olivia a few signs when she was about 18 months old, she was slow to talk and it really helped with the frustrations. The only one we really used was the sign for ‘more’. I tried to teach some others, like ‘milk’.