Professional Development

Baby Fingers’ professional development for educators, therapists, and other professionals focuses on Baby Fingers trademarked Curriculum, including ASL, vocabulary, introduction to Deaf culture, song repertoire, teaching methods and more.Teachers learn creative and effective approaches to integrate Baby Fingers into a variety of content areas. Lessons and experiences are rooted in the New York’s Music and Language Standards, 21^st Century Learning Skills and Social Emotional Learning. We seek to expand on current teaching models, including strengthening school learning communities, advancing best practices, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and lesson planning.

Who attends Baby Fingers Professional Development?

Entrepreneurs interested in opening a new business or expanding their business models
Schools or organizations interested in expanding their music and language curriculum
Professionals interested in enriching their current practice and programs/meet the needs of specific clientele
Qualified teachers looking for independent contract work
Early childhood and special education educators

Music teachers and music therapists
Yoga teachers, dance teachers and developmental movement specialists
Speech-Lanaguage Pathologists (SLP) and Occupational Therapists (OT)
Home or center-based child care providers
Certified educators of infant massage, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, etc.
ASL teachers, interpreters and teachers of the Deaf

Some of our professional development options include

Bring the Baby Fingers methodology to YOUR school or organization

Baby Fingers has been providing professional development opportunities to organizations such as Au Pair Care, Bright Horizons, Goddard School, many Montessori programs and more for over 20 years.

With successful completion of Baby Fingers certification and training, your organization will be able to bring sign language and other aspects of the Baby Fingers methodology into your current classes and programs.

We would come to your facility and/or work with your team live online. Whether you book a one day workshop or consecutive weeks of training, educators feel empowered after every session.

If you are a music therapist or teacher, an OT, speech pathologist, or related professional and wish to enrich the work you already do in your practice, you can also train in our unique methodology.

Topics include (but are not limited to):

Choosing ASL vocabulary for various age groups
Song repertoire, Games, and/or Yoga poses for various age groups
Tips and methodology for signing songs and storybooks
How to incorporate signs and songs to foster social interaction
Tips and methodology for incorporating ASL with yoga poses or infant massage if applicable
Understanding Deaf culture, early childhood development, parenting philosophies
FOR Yoga or Infant or Massage, you must have a certified teacher on your staff. Proof of RYT 200 and or CEIM/CIMI is required.

Become a Baby Fingers Teacher (Independent Contractor / IC)

To become a Baby Fingers Independent Contractor (IC), successful completion of the Baby Fingers teacher training program is required. This may include in person and/or online class visits, guest teaching, learning curriculum, etc.

Upon completion, ICs who complete the training are offered classes and programs through Baby Fingers, and paid by Baby Fingers.

Baby Fingers curriculum includes:

Baby Fingers mission and philosophy
Class management and safety
BF curriculum & lesson plans
Understanding Deaf culture and history of ASL/current trends in language, technology and related controversies
Understanding of early childhood development and various parenting philosophies

Baby Fingers currently offers programs in person and online in the New York City Metro Area, Los Angeles, California, Miami, Florida and Ontario Canada.

Open your own Baby Fingers Program (Licensing & Certification)

For those with a passion for early childhood development, language acquisition, music looking to start their own business, Baby Fingers offers various licensing opportunities.

Upon successful completion of a Baby Fingers certification training, you’ll be prepared to begin your own, independent Baby Fingers program outside the NY Metro area.

With licensing agreements and periodic renewals, you’ll have access to the Baby Fingers logo and name,
curriculum support, opportunity to link your classes & website on ours, schedule support and/or on-line training from our NYC office.

Content & Materials Highlights:

Class management and safety
Baby Fingers Curriculum – including ASL vocabulary, song repertoire, etc.
Tips for running a business
Understanding Deaf culture, early childhood development, and parenting philosophies
Baby Fingers mission and philosophy
Syllabus/lesson plans, webinars, class handouts
BF products at discount
Marketing resources, logo, business plan, licensing agreement.