About Us
Baby Fingers was established in 2000 with a simple observation: children can understand and communicate long before spoken language is fully available to them. When a visual-gestural language is accessible, things can change!
Founder Lora Heller, a music therapist and teacher of the Deaf, began signing with her own son from infancy. He understood her signs months before using them himself and began signing at about six months old. Drawing on her professional work, academic research, and relationships within the Deaf community, Lora brought together American Sign Language and music to create what became Baby Fingers.
More than 25 years later, Baby Fingers continues to use music, movement, literacy, play, and authentic American Sign Language to support communication, learning, connection, and access for Deaf and hearing children and adults, with and without disabilities.
What Makes Baby Fingers Different
Baby Fingers is not a “baby sign” program.
We teach and use American Sign Language — a complete language with its own grammar, history, culture, and community — while incorporating music as a powerful tool for repetition, memory, engagement, movement, and connection. Our work is grounded in respect for Deaf culture, language access, inclusive practice, and the belief that communication should be accessible in multiple ways.
Who We Serve
Baby Fingers works with:
Babies, toddlers, children, teens, and adults
Deaf and hearing learners
Individuals with and without disabilities
Parents and families
Schools, preschools, libraries, and community organizations
Educators, therapists, and other professionals
Programs are offered in New York City and surrounding areas, as well as live online.
Our Team
Baby Fingers brings together a multidisciplinary team that includes Deaf and hearing educators, ASL instructors, music therapists, speech-language professionals, teachers of the Deaf, interpreters, musicians, teaching artists, and other specialists. Each member of the team brings different experience and perspective, while sharing a commitment to communication access, inclusion, and meaningful learning.