Toddlers to Teens – already?
I always knew it would happen – I had children with the understanding that they would not be babies forever. Yet I’m still reeling from the shock of waking up and discovering that my toddlers are actually teens. Of course I’ve been there with them every step of the way…I suffered (I mean rejoiced!) with them through new teeth […]
Baby Fingers: A Musical Journey through Language and Learning
At Baby Fingers we offer the following: Our signature Sign and Song classes for babies and toddlers with a grown-up. Learn American Sign Language through songs and play with other parents, educators, and/or children close to your child’s age. Go home each week with new vocabulary and new tunes to enhance communication between you and […]
Why I Sign
I started to sign with my first child to see if the research for my gradate thesis would work for me, in my own family. After he approximated the sign for “I Love You” (ILY image above) at 6 1/2 months, were were totally sold! That was over 17 years ago and truly inspired me […]
Learn to Sign!
Make this summer your best ever. Learn ASL! Give the gift of communication with Baby Fingers! Back by popular demand, our Adult American Sign Language (ASL) classes return this summer! Starting next week, join us Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8pm in Chelsea June 22nd – August 10th. Learn something new or refine your skills with a […]
Summertime Scholarships!
How will you and your children spend the summer? According to the NY Times Sunday Review article “The Families that Can’t Afford Summer,” nearly 75% of families in the US do not have a parent also on break during school summer vacation and cannot afford to send their children to camp or find affordable childcare. The […]
Controversy?
Baby Fingers was not designed to be a political organization and we have no desire to become one. We do believe, however, that in order to learn a language, it’s important to have an understanding of its related community and culture. We teach sign language. American Sign Language is not simply a set of disconnected […]
Bridge the Gap
“Connect” In ASL, many individual signs like the one pictured above can be used in several ways. Here, the movement from open hands to linked index fingers and thumbs means “connect.” It also means “relationship” when it’s moved slightly between us. And it is an option for “harmony” when moved in a circle in front […]
Historically Speaking….
April 15th was National ASL Day in celebration of the 1817 opening of the American School for the Deaf in Hartford Connecticut. The school was founded by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, an American minister and educator (hearing), and Laurent Clerc, a French teacher of the Deaf (also Deaf himself). Most of us are […]
First Signs
What will your baby’s first sign be? My older son’s first approximated sign was I Love You. My younger son first signed more. They were each 6 1/2 months old at the time they first signed. https://mybabyfingers.com/staging/9114/our-story/ Some babies will start with the sign for milk because they see it so often and it’s a […]
To Sign or Not to Sign
There is a dearth of research regarding “baby sign language” and its benefits, and much of what is out there is outdated even if supportive or relevant. That said, here are some things to note: An article in http://www.parentingscience.com/baby-sign-language.html, which is not overwhelmingly positive in terms of the benefits, does indicate that “There is strong […]