Welcome!

Baby Signs®, the ORIGINAL sign language program for hearing babies, has been bringing powerful, research-proven benefits to babies and their families around the world for over 25 years!

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Classes

I offer a wide variety of classes for parents and educators including workshops, mommy and baby play classes, and trainings. Read about my newest class Rumble, Tumble Tummy Time for infants and see how this class can help your baby during her early stages of development. Check out my class schedule page for current dates and times for all my classes

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Research

Over two decades of scientific research on the use of sign language with hearing babies, has shown that sign language helps babies learn to talk sooner, jumpstarts their intellectual development, reduces frustration, biting and other aggressive behaviors. .

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BabySigns.com offers a wide variety of resources for parents and educators. Everything from DVD's, books, flashcards, music to help you communicate with your baby.

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Potty Train Before age 2

By helping babies learn simple potty-time signs, the Baby Signs® Potty Training Program makes it easy for parents to both begin and end the whole enterprise before age 2.

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Monday, December 30, 2013

My Update

Hello to all my readers!

   It's been a while since I last posted.  I have 2 kids in school now (Second grade and Kindergarten) and a baby(18 months) at home.  As time has marched on and most of my kids have out grown Baby Signs, my interest and focus has shifted.  I still use Baby Signs with my youngest, of course, and am a strong advocate of signing with your baby.  However, as my older kids have entered school and seem to get sick more often, I have become interested in ways to keep our family healthy.  My kids bring home all sorts of germs from school and it spreads through the family - especially the baby.  I wanted something safe for the whole family to use when we get colds, flu, etc. This last summer I was introduced to essential oils.  I had heard things about it here or there but wasn't sure if it would really work.  So I bought a few to try out just to see if they might work.  I have found that essential oils coupled with a healthy life style have proven to be safer, cheaper, and more effective at keeping a lot of sickness at bay.

My first trial with oils was to keep mosquitoes away (remember it was the beginning of summer).  I hated the idea of spraying DEET concentrated spray on my little baby so I got a blend called Terrashield and tested it on myself first.  I put it on late, late one night and went out to help my husband fix something outside.  I didn't get a single bite for the entire hour I was out there.  Since then I have used it to get rid of my kid's eczema, stomach aches, seasonal allergies, headaches, rashes, colds, and flu.  I'm in love with these oils!!

I couldn't help but share them with my friends who had babies with colic, or diaper rashes, etc.  Now I teach essential oil classes and share with others how to  find natural solutions to their health concerns.  I've also enjoyed working with people one on one to help them meet their needs.  

Instead of taking of completely taking over this blog I decided to start another one.  There I talk in more detail about which oils I use for various things as well as my schedule of classes.  Feel free to check it out! Living Essential Oil Blog.  I also started a facebook page.

If you want a quick intro on essential oils watch this video.  http://vimeo.com/68990572


Leia Mais…
Saturday, October 8, 2011

TAG SALE UPDATE

FYI Baby Signs Tag Sale date changed to OCT 15TH


Rain date OCT 22ND.



Tell your friends!

Leia Mais…
Thursday, September 29, 2011

Saying Goodbye

It's with a sad heart I have to say goodbye to Baby Signs by Bryn.  It's been very fun teaching these past few years, getting to know the moms and their babies.  There are many things that I will miss but I realize that I have to say goodbye.  I am teaching preschool this year and I really wanted to make preschool and Baby Signs work but it's too much for me and my family.  BUT all is not lost.  There is a wonderful Baby Signs instructor in Waterbury, CT.  Please feel free to look up her website: http://www.babysignsprogram.com/byadilen/  or her Facebook Page: www.Facebook.com/Babysignsbyadilen.

I know for some of you she will actually be closer and for some it's farther away. 

I will be teaching my last class, the Tummy Time class this Saturday.  Then I will be having a "Tag Sale" on Oct 22nd at my home (90 Overlook Rd South Windsor) from 9AM until Noon.  I will be selling all my Baby Signs inventory at cost - meaning you'll pay what I paid for it.  Plus some of the items I used in my classes like the yoga balls (I don't need 3 of them) and some of the toys.  There will also be some of the regular tag sale type things in the mix as well.  Hope to see some of you then! 

HAPPY SIGNING!

Leia Mais…
Monday, September 5, 2011

Sign of the Week: Grapes

It is that time of year, the time when parents are packing lunches again and the requests for food signs are steadily coming in.  One of the most frequently requested food signs is the sign for GRAPES. Enjoy this healthy snack with your children.

Leia Mais…
Friday, September 2, 2011

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Floods - OH MY!

HELPING CHILDREN COPE WITH DISASTERS
by Dr Linda Acredelo

It seems whenever one turns on the TV these days there’s news of another disaster, whether hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods, forest fires—or foreclosures and unemployment. Given how sensitive children are to the emotional atmosphere at their home, it’s very important for parents to be aware of the impact these traumatic occurrences can have on their little ones and to understand what they can do to mitigate the emotional consequences.



One of the blessings of the internet age is that help for many problems is at one’s fingertips (assuming you have power and the internet), and that includes advice on how to help children deal with disasters. In culling through a number of the sources, many of the tips rang true based on our own knowledge of development. We’ve listed these below and then, at the end, included addresses for a few specific websites that might be useful.

How anxiety manifests itself:

• Increased separation anxiety

• Reluctance to go to sleep

• Nightmares

• Reluctance to go to school/babysitter

• Regression to less mature behavior

• Acting out (e.g., sibling spats; tantrums)

• Physical symptoms (e.g., tummy aches, head aches, etc)

• Inability to concentrate

• Withdrawn behavior and sad countenance



Helping children coping with disasters

• Children detect parental anxiety, so admit your concerns while stressing your confidence in being able to cope with the problem.

• Emphasize the sources of support the family has received during the disaster, is currently receiving, and can count on down the line (e.g., extended family, friends, community resources, etc.). The goal is to help the child feel taken care of.

• Encourage your child to talk about the situation and his/her feelings

• Treat expressed fears with respect rather trying to reduce them by being dismissive.

• Reassure them over and over that they are safe.

• Provide information about any ways you will try to avoid such traumas in the future if possible.

• Congratulate them on any behaviors that were helpful during the crisis or helpful in its aftermath.

• Understand that it’s natural for children to focus on how the disaster affected THEM (e.g., lost toys) rather than understanding the magnitude of the problems the adults face.

• Answer questions honestly, including admitting “I don’t know.” In age-appropriate detail, describe the steps being taken to deal with any losses.

• Re-establish routines as soon as possible, even if they have to vary from those in place before the disaster. Children are comforted by being able to predict events.

• TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Children can detect parental distress, so finding ways to make yourself feel better will pay off in dealing with your children—including helping you be patient with them.

• Find some fun things to do—movies, playdates, trips to the park. Such occasions will not only distract your child from his/her anxiety and fear, but also provide evidence that life goes on and can still be joyful.

• Avoid exposure to newscasts or printed materials that show frightening images.

• Keep promises.

• Find ways to help others who have experienced losses. Helping others reinforces the idea that people help each other, thereby increasing a child’s sense of security.



For more information, check out these websites.
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:

http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=Helping+Children+After+a+Disaster§ion=Facts+for+Families
• FEMA: http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/cope_child.shtm
• Mental Health America: http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=e2a880ae-1372-4d20-c886e4e4aa69eea1

Leia Mais…
Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Sign of the Week: Sorry

There are times when the only thing to say is "I am SORRY." Although the concept is hard for children to understand, using the sign, SORRY, can make idea easier for children to grasp. Remember to use the sign along with the word to promote greater understanding.

Leia Mais…
Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Sign of the Week: School

It is back to SCHOOL time! The requests for this sign have been flooding in from both teachers and parents.  Use this sign to talk to your child about going to SCHOOL, to explain that big sister is at SCHOOL, or to help label the big yellow SCHOOL bus.




https://www.babysigns.com/pdf/School.pdf

Leia Mais…