Baby Signs® by Bryn

TAG SALE UPDATE

2011-10-08T11:27:00.000-07:00

FYI Baby Signs Tag Sale date changed to OCT 15TH

Rain date OCT 22ND.

Tell your friends!

Saying Goodbye

2011-09-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

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!

Sign of the Week: Grapes

2011-09-05T19:15:00.000-07:00

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.

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Floods - OH MY!

2011-09-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

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

Sign of the Week: Sorry

2011-08-30T17:23:00.000-07:00

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.

Sign of the Week: School

2011-08-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

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

Sign of the Week: Dirty

2011-08-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

Do you find yourself saying "Don't touch that. It is DIRTY!" to your child? Using the sign along with the word, DIRTY, can help to place emphasis on what you are saying. Many children will even tell parents when their diaper is DIRTY with this sign.

Sign of Week: Dance

2011-08-08T10:55:00.000-07:00

Dance! Children love to dance. Is it too hot to go outside? Try putting on some music and see how creative your little one is moving to the music!

Click on the picture to download your FREE poster!

3 Weeks and 300 Pictures Later, I'm home from Utah

2011-08-04T18:04:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I'm back from my vacation! LOVED IT! I only get to see my family (my mom and my sisters, nieces and nephews) once a year, which is very sad, so I'm glad I got to have a nice long visit with them. I will resume the "Sign of the Week" this coming MOnday and hopefully will have the fall class schedule up next week too.

And if you were wondering this is me and my kids at Bridal Veil Falls. Pay no attention to the man in the background walking....he was just the lucky winner of "Random guy in someone else's picture" contest. :)

Sign of the Week: Cracker

2011-06-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

The sign for CRACKER has been requested by many parents and educators. This sign originates from the way CRACKERS were first made. A baker would use his elbow to "crack" a large sheet of cracker into small pieces called CRACKERS. Enjoy this sign at your next snack time!

Summer Signing Series Registration Deadline July 1st!

2011-06-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

This is the last week to sign up for my July Summer Signing Series classes. Registration Deadline is Saturday July 2nd. Check out the classes being offered on my Class Schedule Page!

To register please fill out the Registration form found on the Class Schedule page or email me at Bryn.chandler@babysignsprogram.com.

Send payment to:
Bryn Chandler
90 Overloook Rd
South Windsor, CT 06074

How to Land Your Kid in Therapy

2011-06-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine shared this on Facebook and I thought I would re-share it here on my blog. It's a long article but an excellent and important one to read. I must admit that it kicked me in the pants a bit. I've always considered myself to NOT be a helicopter mom (the kind that hovers over their children to ensure they don't experience any pain and discomfort) "I'm not as bad as other mom's I would justify myself." But after reading this....perhaps I am a bit of a helicopter....I think of my behavior in regards to my children's birthdays, Christmas, holidays, etc....and how I try so hard to make everything perfect and full of happiness. I have to resist the urge to buy them everything they might possibly like (I don't have the money to buy them everything but that still doesn't stop my urge to just get them everything). The streamers, balloons, cakes, invitations, decorations, food...blah blah blah blah. It really is all meaningless and the kids don't notice. After reading this article, it reminded me that, things don't bring happiness. That sometimes it is better for us to pass to sorrow so that we can know the good. My childhood was not full of things, lessons, or any of the other luxuries and choices we give our kids (catering to what they want for dinner, lunch, where they want to go) but I can say with no doubt in my mind that I have turned out happy. My life has not been perfect, and some look at it and say that it's full or sorrow...but I've been able to deal with the big sorrows and the small bumps in the road...so that, when you boil it all down, I'm truly happy.

Here is my favorite quote from the article:

Consider a toddler who’s running in the park and trips on a rock, Bohn says. Some parents swoop in immediately, pick up the toddler, and comfort her in that moment of shock, before she even starts crying. But, Bohn explains, this actually prevents her from feeling secure—not just on the playground, but in life. If you don’t let her experience that momentary confusion, give her the space to figure out what just happened (Oh, I tripped), and then briefly let her grapple with the frustration of having fallen and perhaps even try to pick herself up, she has no idea what discomfort feels like, and will have no framework for how to recover when she feels discomfort later in life. These toddlers become the college kids who text their parents with an SOS if the slightest thing goes wrong, instead of attempting to figure out how to deal with it themselves. If, on the other hand, the child trips on the rock, and the parents let her try to reorient for a second before going over to comfort her, the child learns: That was scary for a second, but I’m okay now. If something unpleasant happens, I can get through it. In many cases, Bohn says, the child recovers fine on her own—but parents never learn this, because they’re too busy protecting their kid when she doesn’t need protection."

For the full article go to :

How to Land Your Kid in Therapy - The Atlantic

Sign of the Week: Stop

2011-06-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

STOP is an important safety sign. Teach the sign for STOP by playing "STOP and go" games; for example dance to music then STOP, move to the music again, then STOP. Teaching your child the sign for STOP while playing games can help him to appropriately respond to the command, STOP, when there is a dangerous situation. This is especially relevant in the summer months: "Stop! Don't go near the pool!" and "Stop! don't go in the road!"

South Windsor Strawberry Fest

2011-06-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

Come to the South Windsor Strawberry Fest and enjoy yummy strawberry shortcake, burgers and fries, and lots of other yummy foods. Shop among all the vendors (mine included), get the kid's face painted or let them ride the train. There'll even be a petting zoo! It's a lot of fun and they hold it rain or shine. I'm hoping for shine! I'll have a booth with information on Baby Signs and I'll also be selling my flower hair clips for girls. You can also enter your little cutie into the Miss Strawberry Shortcake pageant. Entries for girls birth up to age 8. The fair goes from 10:00 until 5 pm. Stop by my booth at 10:30 for a storytime with Beebo!

Check out http://www.swstrawberryfest.org/ for more information!

Sign of the Week: Balloon

2011-06-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year with lots of celebrations. I know my calendar is full of them: preschool graduation, end of the year pool parties and Father's Day, the list goes on, and my calendar is almost full! There's bound to be balloons at one if not all the parties. Use these opportunities to teach the sign BALLOON to your child. And enjoy your parties, BBQ's, and other celebrations!!

Mosquito Bites Drive Me Bananas

2011-05-31T17:38:00.000-07:00

I read somewhere that banana peels help bug bites not itch. I got a couple of mosquito bites while grilling tonight and I thought, "meh, why not try it out?" So I took the slimy side of the peel and rubbed it on the bites. IT WORKED! It wasn't instantaneous but after a few moments it stopped itching. Banana peels. Whoda thunk? Of course now I have dried banana slime on my leg BUT they don't itch. So if you or your baby suffered many a bug bite this weekend (or for future reference) give him a banana and rub the peel on his bites.

Sign of the Week: Afraid

2011-05-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

Even the bravest child will find situations which create uncertainty. Dogs, cats, people can bring on fears in children but also situations like fireworks or swimming. Giving him a way to express this feeling with the AFRAID sign will help you to recognize these situations and provide appropriate comfort.

Sign of the Week: Toothbrush

2011-05-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

Teaching your little one to brush his teeth is one of the routines that you enjoy with your child. Adding simple signs to your daily routines will help your child learn what comes next and will ease transitions from one activity to another. Try making TOOTHBRUSH part of your routine today.

When Do I start brushing my babies teeth?
Even before your baby sports his first tooth, it's a good idea to get into the habit of wiping his gums with gauze or a soft wet washcloth during bath time. You don't need to use any toothpaste yet. Simply wrap the cloth or gauze around your index finger and rub it gently over the gums.

What's the best way to start bruthing their teeth after they come in?
As your child's teeth start to appear (generally around 6 months), look for a baby toothbrush with a small bristle head and larger grip suitable for your hand. (If your child is healthy and still hasn't sprouted his first tooth by the end of his first year, don't worry — some children don't start getting them until 15 to 18 months.)

As long as you're cleaning your child's teeth regularly, you don't need to use any toothpaste yet. Just brush the teeth gently on both the outside and inside surfaces twice a day. Brush his tongue as well (if he'll let you) to dislodge the bacteria that can cause bad breath. One quick swipe is enough. Replace the toothbrush as soon as the bristles start to look worn or splayed out.

New for May!

2011-05-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

Manners, Mealtime, and More Class!
Good manners do more than impress people. They also express gratitude and promote positive interactions.

Help your child learn important social skills while learning simple signs for favorite foods.
Come learn about Manners, Mealtime, and More in this one-time class! The children will enjoy songs, games, and crafts while exploring the topic of manners. To learn more go to my class schedule page.

Also coming up....

Girl's Night Out Spa Party
Come get pampered at my spa party. We will be doing footsies and facials! There will be a fun raffle with Baby Signs products and all Arbonne products that night will be 50% off. So come relax and have a night out.
Friday May 20th @ 7:00 pm
My home in South Windsor
Email me @ bryn.chandler@babysignsprogram.com if you'd like to join the party!

Sign of the Week: Flower

2011-05-09T19:07:00.000-07:00

I love flowers. They're the best. I get fresh picked flowers every day from my kids - albeit they're dandelions...but STILL! I love them!

Whether celebrating Mother's Day or just enjoying a spring day, children love to talk about FLOWERS. Use this simple sign to give your little one a way to talk about the FLOWERS she sees and smells. Many children will add a sniffing gesture to the sign.

Sign of the Week: Grandpa

2011-05-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Adults play an important role in the lives of children. GRANDPA is one of these very special people. Give your child a way to tell you when she is thinking of GRANDPA or sees a picture of GRANDPA. Better yet, just wait until you see the smile on GRANDPA's face when she signs GRANDPA! My dad was the best grandpa to all his grandchildren. He'll be sorely missed but I'm so grateful for his love and example. Love you dad.

My Dad with my son Bryce

Changes in my Schedule

2011-04-29T13:39:00.001-07:00

Thank you all for your patience and understanding during this time of struggle for me and my family. As many of you know, my father passed away suddenly April 18th and I have been absent from the playgroup and classes since then.
I flew back last night after being with my family for a while. There WILL be class tomorrow for the More Sign, Say and Play class at my home @ 10:00...hopefully I can get my house clean in time. Please just ignore it if it's not :)
I will be re-arranging my schedule a bit so please check back for updates.

Thank you all again.
Bryn

Sign of the Week: Bunny

2011-04-18T12:05:00.000-07:00

With the Spring holidays coming quickly, the requests for the sign BUNNY have increased! So back by popular demand, here is the sign for BUNNY. Look for opportunities to share this popular sign with your child. You may be surprised how many bunnies are in your child's favorite books.

The Baby Signs® Program: A Helpful Tool in Bilingual Settings

2011-04-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

As more and more parents learn the value of exposing their children to second and even third languages early in life, the number of babies being raised in “bilingual homes” is rapidly increasing. Just what does this mean? In many cases it means that one parent speaks one language to the child while the other parent speaks a second. In other cases, both parents may speak the same language to the child while a trusted caregiver (grandmother or nanny) speaks another.

So, what happens if we add signing to the mix? Will it just add to the child’s confusion?

The answer is a strong and resounding “No!” The truth is that, no matter what form bilingual input takes, adding signing to the mix actually makes the child’s job easier, not harder. Here’s why.

When children first start learning about language, they quite naturally look for one-to-one correspondences between words and the objects (or actions) they label. For example, babies in an English-only environment, upon hearing the word “milk” in the presence of white stuff in their bottle, will eventually learn to associate the two together:

CHILD: “Hmmm....I get it! The white stuff in my bottle = ‘milk’“

However, life gets more complicated in a bilingual household. In this case babies consistently hear two words in association with the white stuff in their bottle, a situation which can be very confusing.

CHILD: “Hmmm….Sometimes I hear “milk,” sometimes “leche.” What’s going on?”

Clearly, what children hearing two languages need to figure out is that both words are equally important labels for milk. And that’s where signing comes to the rescue. By adding a sign to the mix so that the same visual symbol (sign) accompanies both words (“milk” and “leche”), parents make the job of connecting the object with the meanings of both words much easier for babies. In other words, when the baby hears “leche” paired with sign and then also hears “milk” paired with the sign, the pieces fall into place:

CHILD: “Aha! These words mean the same thing!

In summary, rather than confusing your bilingual child, signs will help smooth the road to understanding and speaking both languages.

Of course, signing has another advantage in bilingual settings, especially in child care classrooms where teachers and families speak different languages: The signs provide a common language so that toddlers who are learning the family language can still make themselves understood. Just such a situation exists at the Center for Child and Family Studies at the University of California, Davis, where graduate students from all over the world routinely enroll their infants and toddlers. In the 18 years since the Baby Signs® Program was first introduced, teachers and parents alike have been amazed at how much more smoothly daily life in the classroom proceeds, with data specifically showing that the teachers are more responsive to the needs of the children. In addition, the signs have enabled children who speak different languages to communicate with each other. In one case, for example, a toddler from Israel and a toddler from Taiwan were observed reading a picture book together—with the first girl turning the pages and pointing at objects while the second girl made the appropriate signs!

Bottom line? Signing is clearly a boon to children facing the challenge of hearing multiple languages, whether at home or in the classroom.

Visit babysigns.com for more information about Baby Signs® resources to help you and your baby enjoy all the benefits that signing can bring.

Written by: Linda Acredolo, Ph.D. & Susan Goodwyn, Ph,.D.,

Co-Founders, Baby Signs, Inc.

La Leche League Conference

2011-04-11T17:59:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun at the LLL Conference and met a lot of wonderful people. I'm definitely going back next year and if you missed it there's always next year!

Sign of the Week: Sister

2011-04-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

Last week we learned the sign for brother. This week it is time to learn SISTER. SISTER is another frequently requested sign by parents, teachers, and children. Childern love to "talk" about their siblings and now they can!

Click on the image to download a poster!

Save this Spring!

2011-04-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Baby Signs My Park Signs DVD introduces your child to the signs for BALL, BUTTERFLY, SWING, SLIDE, FLOWER, and TREE. Through fun animation, signing babies, puppets, and repetition your baby will be encouraged to sign these fun signs for a favorite activity: a trip to the park.

The Baby Signs DVDs have been developed by child development experts to help baby and caregiver learn simple sign through fun, engaging experiences.

~~Retail $19.99~~ NOW ONLY $10.00

Enter Coupon Code SPRING2011 at checkout. Shop Now!

Dreaming of Baby Signs

2011-04-04T12:52:00.000-07:00

My husband is too cute. He is in the process of getting his MBA and the term started again last month. He told me he had a dream a few nights ago that he was in a really advanced math class. The teacher kept giving these really difficult math equations for the students to solve. He said there was one girl in his dream who was really fast at figuring them out. She was the best in the class. When she was asked about how she learned to solve the problems so fast, she said it all started when she was a baby and her parents taught her baby signs. HAHAHA! That' is too cute. My husband's subconscious strongly believes in baby signs. I'm so glad to have his support.

Sign of the Week: Brother

2011-04-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

Do you have a BROTHER? This sign is frequently requested by parents, teachers, and children. Remember, younger children may have difficulty with this two-part sign so watch for the way your child modifies it.

Sign of the Week: More

2011-03-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

If you have children then you know that they love MORE. They love MORE food, MORE tickles, MORE paint, MORE music and many, many MORE. This sign will be used frequently as you ask if they want MORE and again as they tell you that they want MORE. Avoid unneccessary tears by teaching your child the sign for MORE.

Mealtime, Manners, and MORE!

2011-03-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

I've just added a class for April: Mealtime, Manners, and More! Whether you've taken one of my other classes or you're just beginning, this is the perfect class for your toddler or preschooler to teach them manners as well as signs for some of their favorite foods. We'll play games, sing songs, and make a craft. For more information check out my class schedule page.

La Leche League Conference

2011-03-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

"La Leche League of Connecticut is excited to announce its 32 nd Annual Breastfeeding and Parenting Conference. In 2011 we will celebrate families with our theme: "Families Make the World Go Around." While all families are different in size and make-up, families are the reason for our mission.

Please take some time to browse through the Registration Brochure. You are invited to join us for sessions featuring speakers who will share informa-tion about breastfeeding and parenting, offer ideas about ways to offer your family tasty food, keep them safe, and find ways to enjoy the wonderful adventure called "parenting." You will be enter-tained by "JuggleJoy" with an interactive program following Saturday’s lunch. You will also have the opportunity to visit wonderful exhibits, buy timely books, participate in the Silent Auction, and may even round out your day by winning one of the wonderful Theme Baskets. "

For more information or to Register go to: http://www.lllct.org/conference

I'll be there as well exhibiting a Baby Signs booth. The speakers and topics look great! Topics on helping you teach your kids cooperation, a class just for Dads, and even a class on Mommy Brain syndrome! and they even have activities for kids to participate in while you listen to the speakers. I think it sounds like lots of fun. Wish I could attend a class :)

Sign of the Week: Please

2011-03-21T17:30:00.000-07:00

Along with thank you, the sign for PLEASE is one of the first manners signs parents often teach their children. The sign, PLEASE, is also one of the first signs babies pair with other signs to make sign sentences like "more please" or "eat please." Start teaching your child this simple sign today.

Sometimes, as my children start to whine for something they want, I remind them to "ask nice." I find that they use a different tone when they add the word please to the sentance. It calms the "gimme, gimme, gimme" tantrum to something more sincere and humble. I like that.

Sign of the Week: Thank You

2011-03-14T19:27:00.000-07:00

Many parents and teachers ask for the signs for manners. One of the most commonly requested signs is the sign for THANK YOU. Adults beam when a child says THANK YOU and this sign gives even the most reserved child a way to express gratitude. Several parents have shared that this sign has even been used as a quiet reminder to their children to say THANK YOU for a gift from a friend or family member.

Sign of the Week: Drink

2011-03-08T19:55:00.000-08:00

The ASL sign for drink is a gesture where you act like your hand is wrapped around a cup. The sign can be modified slightly for children, thumb lifted, to represent the spout of a sippy cup or a bottle nipple. Children easily and naturally transition to the ASL sign when the lid is removed from the cup.

Sign of the Week: Music

2011-02-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

Does your child love MUSIC? Whether wiggling to a song on the radio, bouncing to a theme song on the television, or swaying to a favorite lullaby, children enjoy feeling and hearing music. Give your child a way to share what she hears with this simple sign.

My favorite game to play with my kids is freeze dance. I'll play some sort of up beat song and watch them dance around, pause the music and see what funny poses they make. It's hysterical to me; they're so cute!! Enjoy this weeks sign!

Sign of the Week: Hurt

2011-02-22T18:31:00.000-08:00

The sign for HURT can help your child share how he feels. One of the great things about this sign is that it is a "traveling sign." This means that the child will place the sign, HURT, in close proximity to the place where it hurts. Using the sign for HURT will help take some of the guess work out of caring for your child!

Class Session Added in Branford, CT

2011-02-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

I just added a session for the Tummy Time Class in BRANFORD, CT! This will just be a 2 class session held on March 9th and 16th. Cost is $30 for the session. Check out my Class Schedule Page for more details or email me: bryn.chandler@babysignsprogram.com.

Babies and Blankies

2011-02-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

As I load my laundry in the washer I hear in the background "DON'T WASH MY BLANKIE MOM! NOOOOO!!" The sound of little feet running as fast as their legs can take them are coming toward me to rescue the poor blankie that is about to endure an unfathomable torture - being washed.

Most babies have some sort of comfort thingy: blankets, stuffed animals, etc. Even odd habits or things like sucking fingers and twirling hair are a "comfort thingy." Why? Why do babies have them? Why is this dirty, stinky, tattered blankie so appealing to my child? The answer is this: it's a symbol of you and your affection. It is an object that they can have with them and control. Many parents fear these objects foster dependence but in reality they don't. The object, or behavior, is your baby's way of finding confidence and comfort by herself. It's a transition from dependence to independence. This favorite blankie helps them find a way to make the world outside of their parent's protection a much safer place. This is why comfort objects are common among children who spend long hours at day care.

You know what it's like to come home after a long day and you just want to get in your favorite jammies, or soak in the tub, snuggle up with your favorite book? This sense of peace and well being that comes from a familiar ritual is how your baby feels when he snuggles his special comfort thingy. He loves each and every tattered corner, the musty smell, it's color and feel is all very comforting. So resist the urge to get rid of it. It's not like there is a set time frame to get rid of it like a bottle, pacifier, sippy cup, etc. (I highly doubt they'll be walking down the aisle with it.) Use it when you're child will need that extra comfort and promise them their blankie will be safe while it takes a bath. :)

Sign of the Week: I Love You

2011-02-14T18:34:00.000-08:00

It really doesn't matter how you say it, just as long as you do. Happy Valentine's Day everyone and I hope you have had a wonderful day and a wonderful week!

Free Early Childhood Fair Sat Feb 12th

2011-02-07T13:12:00.000-08:00

Sign of the Week: Play

2011-02-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

Children learn about their world through PLAY. Encourage your child to PLAY and by doing so you will be giving your child an important start to learning.

Sign of the Week: Eat

2011-01-31T20:25:00.000-08:00

EAT is often one of the first signs children learn. Although it may begin as a way to tell you that they want to eat, it soon opens another world of sharing. From telling you to feed the fish, to letting you know the dog is eating her bone, your child will soon find lots to "talk" about.

Rumble, Tumble Tummy Time Class Cancelled 2/1/2011

2011-01-31T14:57:00.000-08:00

Due to the blizzard headed our way, I'm cancelling class for tomorrow. Let's hope that Mother Nature will get it all out of her system this time and it will be the last. I'M SO SICK OF SNOW!!!

Stay safe and warm.

Sign of the Week: Sit Down

2011-01-25T05:13:00.000-08:00

Whether trying to help your child sit in a high chair or the car seat, the sign for "sit down" can be very helpful! I know as I stroll through the grocery store I have to constantly tell my kids to sit down. Teachers love this sign because it helps children focus on the direction being given. Share this sign with your little one today.

Sign of the Week: Airplane

2011-01-08T19:46:00.000-08:00

Does your child point to every plane that passes overhead? "Airplane" is a simple sign that you can use to talk about what your child sees and hears. Download your poster today!

Sign of the Week: Yogurt

2010-12-07T17:49:00.000-08:00

My family loves, loves, LOVES yogurt. We go through about 96 oz a week, give or take. We each have our favorite. My husband loves peach, my daughter loves strawberry, my son loves blueberry, and I like any with berries (I'm not a fan of peach yogurt).

What's your favorite kind of yogurt?

Sign of the Week: Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-22T20:20:00.000-08:00

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you and/or your loved ones travel safe. And I wish you luck if you're brave enough to venture out on Black Friday for some crazy holiday shopping.

Rumble, Tumble Tummy Time Class December Special!

2010-11-15T19:51:00.000-08:00

Take my brand new infant class for FREE! My special Holiday offer for December.

Come learn how to make tummy time fun for your baby through engaging songs and activities in a play-class setting. At the same time, you will learn valuable parenting strategies to help you make the most of this important stage of development.

This is for parents with babies ages 2 to 6 months. The Bright Spot Children's Playplace has a nice large room where we will hold the class. If your baby has an older sibling they may come and play in the play area while you take the class.

Space is limited so sign up today!

When: December 7th @ 10:00
Where: Bright Spot Playplace 520 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT

Sign of the Week: Milk

2010-11-15T19:06:00.001-08:00

This is a very popular sign and is requested quite often. It's the first sign my son learned and used for months when asking for anything :)

Enjoy learning the sign this week. Remember practice makes perfect. The more you use the sign when talking about milk, the more likely your baby will use it to request some.

Sign of the Week: Cheese

2010-11-08T20:10:00.001-08:00

Mmmmm cheese. My kids love cheese and they eat it all the time. Everything from mac n cheese, string cheese, grilled cheese, ham and cheese, the list goes on. If I make something my daughter doesn't like, she usually requests it to be smothered in cheese in hopes it will mask all other flavors. This is not my favorite tactic, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get those veggies into those growing bodies.

When I was a kid, I thought there were only 2 kinds of cheese: Velveeta and Swiss. Thankfully, I have grown up and have been introduced to a plethora of delicious cheeses. I couldn't tell you what my favorite is but I have come across my most favorite grilled cheese sandwich. I call it the Grown Up version of grilled cheese. This recipe is courtesy of chef, Greg Reynor, from the restaurant Cafe Muse.

Café Muse's Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients

* 1 slice Havarti cheese
* 1 slice mozzarella cheese
* 1 slice Danish fontina cheese
* 1/2 Tbsp. butter , softened (for best results, use high-quality butter)
* Honey from a squeeze bear bottle
* 1 tsp. fresh basil , chopped
* 2 slices tomato
* 2 slices bread (organic multigrain bread works best)
* Sauté pan large enough for 2 slices of bread

Directions
Butter bread on one side with melted butter. Place in pan, butter side down, over medium-low heat. Place mozzarella on one half of the bread and fontina and Havarti on the other. Cook until golden on bottom and cheese begins to melt. Place tomato on mozzarella side and honey on fotina/Havarti side. Place under broiler for a few minutes to heat up tomato. Sprinkle basil and assemble sandwich and enjoy.

Holiday Sale!

2010-11-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

35% OFF the Baby Signs® DVD Fun Packs!

Price: $24.99 Sale Price: $16.24

The packs include a cute book, chunky flashcards, and a dvd. There are 6 different Fun Packs. Each Fun Pack is centered around a theme: Mealtime, Bedtime, Bathtime, Getting Dressed, Pets, and Park signs. These make a great gift for your baby or grandchild and helps them learn! Order yours today!

*Tax not included. This is for orders from my inventory not from the babysigns.com website. You pay shipping or you may pick them up. To order please email me at bryn.chandler@babysignsprogram.com.

Sign of the Week: Medical Signs

2010-11-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

As much as I hate to admit it, it's that time of year - cold and flu season. We all do our best to stay healthy but sometimes the germs get the best of us.

Download the poster this week and feel free to share it with your child's preschool, daycare, nursery, or play gym.

In the meantime, here are some tips on staying healthy this season:

Keep the germs Away.

Many stores will supply antibacterial cart wipes this time of year, if not year round. Don't be shy about using them. I would rather look like a germaphobe as I scrub down my cart than get sick.

Wash your hand often, especially if you go to play places where the kids have touched most of the surfaces. Avoid touching your face after shaking hands with someone until you can go wash your hands.

Don't share food or utensils. My kids will see me eating something and ask if they can have a bite. That is one way germs can spread through the family. They may not show signs of sickness right then but they could be in the incubation period.

Speaking of foods, Eat Immune Boosting Foods

Try your best to avoid refined sugars that weaken the immune system. That can be hard this time of year when there are so many goodies around. Try to avoid it by not having them in your home but simply enjoy them if you go to a party.

Eat foods that are high in antioxidants such as dark leafy greens, fruits, and salmon. I highly recommend the website greensmoothiegirl.com with tips on how to sneak veggies in your diet without cooking them down to a tasteless, vitaminless pulp.

Keep your Nose and Sinuses Clear
Use a Neti Pot to keep your sinuses cleaned out and run a vaporizer at night to keep your nasal passages moist so the flu germs can't take hold. Central heat (which dries out the air) and cold temperatures make it easy for flu germs to spread and make people sick.

Stay Active
Kids (and adults) who sit more often get sick more often. So get moving! One idea is to join in with my playgroups or classes this winter to not only keep the flu away but cabin fever as well. :)

Top 10 Halloween Treats for Toddlers

2010-10-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

Halloween is great. I love it and have fond memories of trick-or-treating with my family and trying to get as much candy as possible. When I was a kid, though, I never ate the candy except for a few pieces on Halloween night. I was the "save it for later" type personality and would keep the candy till the next Halloween or until my mom would find it and throw it out. (See I was having my own competition between me and my sisters of who could get the most candy and keep it the longest - I won every time! HAHAH!)

Last year as we went trick or treating with our then 3 yr old and 1 yr old so many people would give my older one an extra piece of candy. "For your brother" they'd say. I'd say "Thank you" but in the back of my mind be thinking "What in the world? I'm not giving this to my 1 yr old. And I can't let my 3 yr old have twice as much candy. Especially since she did not inherit my "save it for later" personality." So friends, I've come up with a toddler friendly list of Halloween Treats. Give them out to the trick or treaters who are too little for all that candy. Most of these can be bought at the dollar store.

Top 10 Halloween Treats for Toddlers:

Bubbles! You can buy large packs of wedding bubbles at the dollar store. This is a great item they can enjoy as they're being pushed in the stroller or toddling along trick or treating.

Play-dough. Look for the packages with tiny canisters.

Stickers. Any stickers will do from animals to Halloween themed. They'll be tickled pink sticking stickers on themselves...on you...on their stroller.

Coloring page with a few crayons. Buy the largest box of crayons from the dollar store and bundle 2 or 3 crayons from the box with ribbon. Then hand them out with a small picture for the kids to color. Google Halloween coloring pages or any familiar character (Dora, Diego, etc) and print out a bunch.

Temporary Tattoos

Super bouncy balls. I haven't known a toddler that doesn't like balls.

Healthier Foods like individual cracker packages, juice boxes, or pretzels.

Glow in the dark sticks, necklaces, or bracelets. Again this is something that will occupy them as they're trick or treating with their older siblings (if they have them), helping mom and dad stay happy.

Noisemakers like kazoos, harmonicas, plastic flutes.

Novelties like spider rings, plastic bugs, army men, dinosaurs, etc.

Sign of the Week: Wait

2010-10-25T19:04:00.000-07:00

Parents and caregivers often request the sign for wait. Using the "wait" sign when your child makes a request gives him a visual clue that you have heard him and will soon meet his needs. Whether or not they're patient enough to wait....that's another story.

You can help teach your child patience and self control without using controlling words like "stop" or "don't" all the time. My upcoming Under the Sea class on Nov 11th will help you learn how to teach your children self control through fun games and activities. Checkout my class schedule page if you would like to learn more. Please contact me @ bryn.chandler@babysignsprogram.com to register.

Sign of the Week: Share

2010-10-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

Sharing is not exactly the easiest concept to teach young children. I'd say about 99.99% of the time if I hear one of my children crying and I inquire as to why it's because the other one isn't sharing.

It's not that they're being selfish - they're just acting their age. Sharing is a skill they'll develop over several years. In the meantime, struggles over toys will be common. It's no fun to watch your child grab a toy and shout "Mine!" But if he's playing with other toddlers, he/she won't be the only one doing it.

Help your child learn to share by being an example yourself. Offer him a bite of your meal or a chance to assist in the fun of decorating a cake. As you do, use the word and the sign for "share" to describe your behavior. ("I'm eating a really good sandwich, and I'd love to share it with you. Would you like some?") When your toddler attempts to share, praise his efforts. Little by little, he'll drink in the positive reinforcement and feel good about repeating those actions that seem to make you so happy. Before long, he'll start sharing because it comes naturally.

Happy Signing!

Class Schedule Updated!

2010-10-16T18:19:00.001-07:00

I moved my schedule around a bit and changed some things and even added a few classes and workshops. I'm really excited about this new schedule. I've included things like:

A SATURDAY class for the Sign, Say, and Play class!

Potty Training Party Workshop!

Under the Sea class for kids age 2-5!

More Sign, Say, and Play class time/day change.

Check out my class schedule for more information.

Sign of the Week: Spider

2010-10-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

Whether in nature or seasonal decorations, spiders are all around this time of year. Some children may express curiosity and others fear. Giving children the sign for Spider will provide them a way to "talk" to you about what they see.

Me? I hate spiders, even fake ones. I tell my husband he's in charge of killing the spiders. Call me wimpy or sexist but they really creep me out. I tried to look up something cool about spiders for this post but even reading about them made my skin crawl. So there you have it: the sign of the week. Enjoy, if you can stand looking at it...I can't. :)

Sign of the Week: Mommy

2010-10-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

Mommy. One of the best words or signs that your little one can say. When they say it for the first time, your heart just melts. I know mine did. I believe that when you decide to take upon yourself the title of Mother or Father you have a great repsonsibility. What you do as a mother or father will affect generations for years to come. It may seem overwhelming, but you're not alone in the task.

I found this lovely story online and thought that I'd share it:

It was twilight as I sat down in the nursery with our baby in my arms. I felt exhausted. One day seemed to blend into the next in a never-ending round of feeding and sleeping, feeding and sleeping. Twilight, however, was my favorite time of day as I rocked and nursed our baby in the semidarkened room. It was a welcome interval of peace and a time to rest from the hurries of the day.

As I hummed and rocked, I looked down at tiny hands tightly grasping my finger and then into our baby’s face with his endearing toothless grin. As my son gave a small sigh of satisfaction, I wondered how many mothers of the 1800s, 1700s, or even the 1600s had looked upon a similar scene. I felt a great bond of sisterhood that night—something I had never experienced before. I realized that I was simply one more link in the long chain of motherhood. I felt as if these mothers of the past—thousands upon thousands of them—had united together and were waiting to buoy me up. Motherhood took on a new meaning for me that night.

As I gently laid my now-sleeping son in bed, I could almost see the hands of the past beside mine as I carefully pulled up the quilt, smoothed my son’s soft head, and bestowed one last goodnight kiss. I shut the nursery door behind me with a silent prayer of thanks for my newfound source of strength—my realization of motherhood throughout the ages.—Cheryl Avery

Apple Picking at Belltown Hill Orchards

2010-09-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

This is a great orchard in South Glastonbury. I went to it last year with my family. They have a bakery where you can treat yourself to all sorts of farm baked goods as well. And, of course, there's lots of apples. So come learn a few signs and pick some apples. I'd love to see you there.

Date
October 8th @ 10:30

Location
Belltown Hill Orchards
483 Matson Hill Raod
South Glastonbury, CT 06073

The rain date for this activity will be October 9th.

Sign of the Week: Frog

2010-09-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

The sign for FROG is helpful for letting your baby "talk" about toys at bath time and pictures in books during story time. Look for opportunities this week to use this new sign.

A couple of days ago, I found a frog (actually it was a toad) in my watering can. My husband plopped him out onto our water table and the kids loved looking at him and watching him hop all around.

Have a good week and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!

Sign of the Week: Potty

2010-09-20T19:16:00.000-07:00

The sign for "potty" is one of my most requested signs. This sign is great for helping your child communicate the need to go to the potty (even before spoken words)!

Trivia Questions:

At what age were children potty trained in the 1950's?

At what age are children potty trained today?

Playgroup Monday Sept 20th @ 10:00

2010-09-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that I'm hosting another playgroup at the Kiddy Korner Toy Store in Ellington. Monday Sept 20th @ 10:00. We will be learning some more signs for fall and playing games. Come join us if you can!

September is Baby Safety Month

2010-09-14T17:37:00.000-07:00

I love the part in Finding Nemo when Marlin tells Dori that he promised Nemo nothing would ever happen to him. Dori, in a short moment of brilliance, says, "That's a funny thing to promise. Well, you can't never let anything happen to him. Then, nothing would ever happen to him. (Marlin stares at her.) Not much fun for little Harpo." We as parents find ourselves not wanting anything to happen to our kids but of course things will happen because life is full of ups and downs, bumps and bruises, twists and turns-these will all give us experience and knowledge. But we can do our best to keep our children safe from real harm or accident.

So today I'm going to focus a little on car seat safety. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention website, motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. Many of these deaths are preventable if the child is placed in a proper car seat. Meaning one that fits your child's size, is correctly installed, fits well in your vehicle, and is used properly every time you drive.

What can you do to make sure your car seat fits all those requirements?

There's a really nifty website, www.carseatdata.org, that lets you search for the best car seat for your type of car. You put in the make, model, and year and it will tell you which one will fit the best and which side of the car it fits best as well.
Another thing you can do is get your car seat checked to see that it is properly installed. A study by the Department of Transportation found that 72% of cars had car seats and booster seats that were being misused in a way that would have increased the child's risk of injury or death in an accident. Connecticut, as well as many other states, have car seat safety inspection stations. To find a station nearest you go to: www.cruisinwithkids.com and find your state from the drop down menu.
Be weary of buying used car seats. If your getting a used car seat make sure that you know the seat's history. Don't use ones with cracks or missing parts. Don't use them if they've ever been in a moderate or severe car accident. Check the label and manufacturer number and call or look up the manufacturer to see how long it recommends using the seat. If the label or manufacturer number are missing don't use the seat. It's better to err on the side of caution in that case.

The other important thing is: BE A SAFE DRIVER YOURSELF!

Wear YOUR seat belt.
Don't chat or text on your cell phone while driving even if your kids aren't in the car.
DON'T DRIVE DRUNK! One out of four occupant deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years involved a drinking driver. More than two-thirds of these fatally injured children were RIDING with a drinking driver. The fact that those kids were in the car WITH the drunk driver floors me. So please be responsible and offer to be the sober driver and find the sober driver when you need it.

Sign of the Week Butterfly

2010-09-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

One of the things I wanted to do this summer was to go to Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory up in Deerfield, MA. We finally did it the weekend before Labor day. It was great! The kids had a blast chasing the butterflies and looking at the various other animals they had there. I tried my best to get a good picture but those butterflies would hardly stand still. Maybe they're just camera shy or it's a running joke they pull on the tourists. Because they would land on my kids for a second and take off as I fumbled with my camera to take a picture. As a result, I've got lots of pictures of rocks or flowers to show people and say "Hey! A butterfly perched on that for a second."

So what's the difference between a butterfly and a moth? In general, moths are nocturnal and butterflies can be seen in the day time. Also, when butterflies are perched they tend to rest with their wings "closed" while moths will leave their wings spread out to their sides. Of course there are some species of moths and butterflies that make exceptions to these rules but, hey, nobody's perfect ;)

Sign of the week Carrot

2010-09-07T17:45:00.000-07:00

I hope you all had a good weekend and had a chance to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. My family and I did. We got to go pick raspberries and the kids loved it. This harvest time of the year is so fun. My kids have enjoyed picking cherry tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and all sorts of veggies from our garden. I thought I'd share the sign for carrot this week. It's one of the easier vegetable ASL signs and also one that actually has a sign. Many vegetables, like broccoli, don't have their own sign and are just finger-spelled.

Enjoy learning the sign for carrot this week and this little tidbit of info on carrots:

If carrots are eaten raw, only 3% of the b-carotene (vitamin A) is released during digestion. If you pulp the carrots, cook them, AND add oil then 39% of the b-carotene will be released. So cooked carrots (while being my least favorite form) are healthier for you than raw.

Free Play Date Sept 9th @ 10:00

2010-09-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

Free play date Thursday Sept 9th @ 10:00 in the Event Room at. the Kiddy Korner Toy Store in Ellington, CT. There will be fun songs, games, free play, and participants will also learn some baby signs. I will also talk briefly about my upcoming Baby Signs Classes. No registration required. For more information please feel free to email me.
bryn.chandler@babysignsprogram.com

Sign of the Week: Swing

2010-08-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

I love swings. When I was a kid, that's the first thing I'd run for at the playground and would sometimes swing until it was time to go home. When I became a new mom, I learned to love swings even more as they would slowly rock my baby to sleep. Sigh...peace and quiet. Swings are great.

My husband put up a "swing of all swings" in our backyard a couple of summers ago. It hangs from a branch about 30 feet up. They really get some air when you do an underdog. It's great to see their faces full of terrified excitement :) I'll have to post some pictures when I get a chance.

In the meantime, enjoy learning the ASL sign for swing.

Creative Potty Training Ideas

2010-08-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

Potty Training is something no parent really looks forward to and they usually have no idea how it's going to go until they start. I'm secretly jealous of those who tell me stories of how their child potty trained themselves in one day and never had an accident. I don't know what kind of personality or gene trait that child has but MY children don't have it. There are a lot of methods and ideas out there on potty training your child. Because every child is different, some of those ideas work great while others fall flat on their face. That's the big secret of potty training is finding the right motivation-whatever it is that makes the potty fun.

I've come up with a few creative potty training ideas to help parents for when the stickers and M&M's don't work. I'd love to hear your creative ideas and what worked/didn't work for you.

Potty Races
This one could work with just one child or if you're potty training multiples. You can use little potty seats or the big potty, whichever you like. The idea is that it's a race. Pick your starting point and say "On your marks, get set....GO!" And you both go running to the potty to see who gets there first and sits on it. Then go back to start and do it again. You can have a "prize" for whoever gets there first but the child might just enjoy the race. This should help your child be more familiar with the potty in a fun and creative way, while also teaching him/her how to get there quickly and sit.

Water Play
Another thing you can do is go to the dollar store and buy some really cheap toys, like bath toys, cups, and boats. Put them in a basket or decorative box and when your child sits on the potty, let them pick a brand new toy. Place the toy in a small tub of water and let them play with it. You can set the tub on a small step stool, if they're on a little potty, or on a tv tray if they're on the big potty. The idea is that the splashing and water sounds (especially if they're playing with toy cups and scooping up the water and pouring it back in) will help them go pee. Many times the sound or touch of water will instinctively trigger the need to go pee. Keep a towel close by if you try this one as water might go other places than back in the tub.

Dolls that Wet
You could buy a doll that wets or, in my opinion, use a doll you already have and sneak in the pee and poop. Basically the idea is the doll drinks their bottle and then they pee on the potty. Make sure your child sees the doll drink and have them take them to the potty to go pee. The child will hopefully catch on to the idea, especially if you give them a drink and remind them of the doll, then take them to the potty and tell them to do what the doll did. As your child potty trains the doll, then the routine will be reinforced in their mind.
If you have a hollow plastic doll, then you can always poke a hole in its bottom and mouth and try the same thing.

Hide and Seek Potty
This only works for little potty chairs. Hide the potty chair somewhere in the house and have your child find it. You can tape some sort of small reward to the chair for finding it. Then have them sit on it. This should hopefully help them become more comfortable with the potty and learn how to "seek it out" when the time is right.

While on the Potty...
If you stay with your child, which I would suggest in order to keep them there, while they sit on the potty play games with them or sing songs. You could have a felt board or chart with different songs to sing and the child can pick the song. You could even have symbols for the songs, like a cut out of a bus for "Wheels on the Bus," and put them in a basket and let them pick them out and hold the symbol while you sing. You can play peek-a-boo, I spy, or give them a toy they only get to have while on the potty.

Ride the Potty Train
Another unique motivator, is the Baby Signs Potty Training Kit. The kit comes with reward stickers, a book for the parents, a board book about going potty for your child, a DVD and a train whistle. The DVD is great because it shows the potty routine, as well as potty time signs. The catchy songs and signs can be a great tool to helping you child get on the potty. Of course, when your child sits on the potty they get to blow the train whistle - CHOO! CHOO!
I've written other posts about the kit so I won't spend too much time here.
If you'd like to purchase the kit click here.

Sign of the Week Ice Cream.

2010-08-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

Mmmm...Ice Cream. I love ice cream. It's the perfect summer treat. It evokes memories of sticky fingers and happy sticky faces. I would eat it every day if it didn't stick to my hips ;) Enjoy learning the sign for ice cream this week (hopefully while enjoying some ice cream). Click on the image to see a larger poster.

Here is a scoop of ice cream trivia:
Americans consume 15 quarts of ice cream per person per year.
According to the International Ice Cream Association, vanilla is the most popular flavor of ice cream.

What's your favorite flavor?

"When do you start signing with your baby?"

2010-08-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

I get asked this question a lot by parents and it's understandable. The reasoning seems to be they don't want to start "too late" or "too early." The fact is that there is no perfect time to start signing with your baby. (That probably doesn't sound very helpful at all, does it?) Let me highlight some different stages that you can start signing with your baby and the advantages and disadvantages of each stage.

Birth to 8 Months
Many parents start signing with their baby from birth. This is a great way to expose your baby to both signs and words from the very beginning of their development. This approach will take patience, however, as you baby is unlikely to sign back to you until he/she is a bit older (almost 12 months). They will understand the signs you use but developmentally they will be unable to produce them themselves.

8 to 12 Months
Many parents wait until their babies are 8 to 12 months old to begin signing with their baby. The advantage of starting at this age is that you're more likely to see your baby start using the signs and communicating with you. If you prefer more immediate results, then starting during this age may be ideal.

12 + Months
Many parents are surprised when I tell them that it's perfectly fine to start signing with their baby at this age. Many assume that 12 to 18 months is "too late." "Aren't they talking by then?" they ask. Yes, but most only have about 2 or 3 words. Even at this "later stage" many babies don't have all the words to express their thoughts and feelings. Many times the few words they do have sound the same. The advantage of starting at this age is that they are more likely to pick up the signs quickly, sometimes after a few days. Babies at this age will not use signs as long as those who started earlier. They are closer to the age of gaining more vocabulary and as the words come easier the signs will start to drop off.

All babies want to communicate and many do not have the words to do so. Don't worry about starting too early or too late, just start! Remember that repetition is key. The more you use the signs and incorporate them in your daily life, the better your chances are for success.

Happy Signing!

Sign of the Week: Duck

2010-08-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

This weeks sign is duck. I love ducklings they're so cute, fuzzy, and have the sweetest quack that sounds more like a peep.

A fun thing to do in the summer is go to a pond or lake and feed the ducks. A word of caution when feeding ducks, please don't feed them bread. Bread, crackers, chips, popcorn, etc aren't very healthy for ducks. In fact, bread is the equivalent to junk food for the birds, and too much bread can lead to excessive weight and malnutrition as well as many other problems. If the bread is stale and moldy, it can cause aspergillosis, a fatal lung infection that can decimate entire duck and waterfowl flocks.

Here are some alternative, healthy foods you can feed those cute ducks next time you're out:

grapes, cut in half

Cracked corn, barley, oats, birdseed or other grains

Frozen peas that have been defrosted

Or duck feed pellets from a farm supply store

Have a good week!

Sign of the Week: Giraffe

2010-08-09T04:38:00.000-07:00

My family and I went camping last week. One of the mornings my 2 yr old woke up especially early and so I took him out of the tent so as not to wake up the others. After taking him on a short walk, we headed back to our tent. When we got back there was a beutiful deer outside our tent - a doe to be precise. My 2 yr old looked and exclaimed "GIRAFFE!"

Interesting Facts about the giraffe: It is distantly related to the deer :) Male giraffes can grow up to 18 feet tall and weigh 2,600 lbs. It's the tallest land animal on the planet.

Enjoy learning the sign for giraffe this week, click on the image to see a larger poster.

Communication is Key

2010-07-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

Being a first time parent you have many questions, worries, concerns, and a sense of excitement about this new adventure you’ve just embarked on. You get home from the hospital and think “What now? What do I do with this little infant?” During those early months, I would find myself staring at my newborn while holding her. I would often wonder what she was thinking about. Eventually your baby starts to make cooing sounds and babbling. You get so excited; you might even find yourself babbling back or setting up the video camera to catch every sound and movement for hours (or maybe that was just me).

It’s fun and cute for a while but slowly that begins to change. You can tell that your child’s babbling words mean something to her but you don’t know what. Soon you find your child is getting frustrated at being unable to communicate their wants, needs, and feelings and they often resort to tantrums or tears. You begin asking “what’s wrong?” You go through your mini checklist of possible problems. Peek in the diaper; nope doesn’t need changed. “Are you hungry? Tired? Sick?” You eventually pick one and try that one…Perhaps she’s tired, let’s put her down for a nap…Sometimes you’ve guessed right and other times you don’t. You find yourself getting frustrated and wishing you could know what they want and looking forward to the day when they can finally tell you.

Unfortunately, that day takes quite some time. Most babies can comprehend words at a very early age but are unable to produce them until about 12 months. Even then, it’s very limited to just a few simple words and sometimes they aren’t very clear. The good news is that parents and babies CAN communicate together by using simple signs. Just as crawling bridges the gap between immobility and walking, baby sign language often bridges the gap between word comprehension and word production. For example, my son would say “bah, bah” and it stood for many things. Sometimes it meant ball, bottle, banana, book, etc. Because he knew baby sign language, I was able to understand what it was he was talking about. The tears and frustration was avoided and I didn’t have to bring out my “mini checklist” of possible causes for the outburst.

The Baby Signs® Program has been a huge help for me in raising my babies and toddlers. There’s a lot of excellent research on the benefits of using baby sign language but my favorite benefit is that it strengthens the parent/infant bond. Communication is key in any relationship and if you are able to foster it at such a young age your bond is that much stronger. I love being invited into my baby’s world as they “tell” me what they see, hear, or feel through simple gestures or signs. I am able to share in their delight as they discover new things. I can see the confidence in their eyes when they realize that “mommy understands” me.

July 15th Class Cancelled

2010-07-12T13:59:00.001-07:00

Due to the high heat and humidity I've decided to cancel the "My Outside Adventure" class for July 15th. There is still room for the class on the 29th and hopefully the weather will be a bit more pleasant. Please email me if you'd like to register for that class @ bryn.chandler@babysignsprogram.com Sorry for any inconvenience. Thank you all!

We Have a Winner!

2010-06-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Kathy for winning the Baby Signs Potty Training Kit! You'll love it and the kids will too! Have fun on the potty train!

Sign of the Week: DAD!

2010-06-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

FATHER'S DAY TRIBUTE! Learn the sign DAD with your baby this week.

Watch the Sign of the Week video for Dad

Want a FREE Baby Signs Video Dictionary? Click here!

See you at the Fair!

2010-06-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

This coming Saturday June 12th South Windsor will be holding its 28th annual Strawberry Fest. It's a lot of fun. I've gone with my kids almost every year. There's a lot of great crafts, face painting, train rides, a petting zoo, bands, and a magician. Plus it's free admission. To learn more about the fest go to berryfest.org.
I'm really excited about it this year because I'll be having my very own vendor booth. Drop on by and meet me and Beebo, the Baby Signs® Bear. Also enjoy special pricing on my Sign, Say, and Play and Rumble, Tumble Tummy Time classes for this coming fall that will only be offered at the fest! I'll also be selling lots of great Baby Signs® products at a discounted price.
Hope to see you there!

June is National Potty Training Awareness Month

2010-06-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

To Celebrate, I'm giving away a Baby Signs® Potty Training Kit!

Yes, seriously, it's National Potty Training Awareness month. I know what you're thinking, what in the world do I need to be made aware of? I'm very well aware that I am in the process of (or need to) potty train my child. Well here are some Myths and Facts about potty training you may or may not know:

Myth: It's easier and healthier to potty train your baby if you wait until they're ready (about age 2 or 3)

Fact: The truth is, potty training a baby under the age of 24 months is actually easier than potty training an older child. Why? Because as children get older, they want to make more and more decisions on their own. This natural progression towards independence is healthy, but it also often sets the stage for a battle of wills when it comes to potty training.

Fact: Babies will potty train at the age parents expect them to train. Historical and cross-cultural practices clearly demonstrate that babies can train as early as 5 months. Training a baby that young is indeed possible, but very time-intensive. Because of the time commitment required, this approach is not practical for most parents. The Baby Signs® Potty Training Program, however, provides a compelling alternative to very early or very late potty training. 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.

Baby Signs Potty Training Kit Includes:

A Parent’s Guide to Potty Training Made Easy with the Baby Signs® Program – This straightforward parent guide from trusted child development experts will help you confidently lead your baby to potty success.
All Aboard the Potty Train DVD – With its catchy tunes, delightful animation and Baby Signs® Kids, this exciting DVD will teach your baby five potty-time signs and reinforce each step of the potty routine.
All Aboard the Potty Train Lift-the-Flap Book – Your baby will love discovering the potty-time signs hidden under each flap in this fun and interactive board book featuring the DiaperDoodles™.
Job Well Done! Stickers – These colorful reward stickers feature fun images and positive messages such as “Good Job!”, “I’m on the Potty Train!”
All Aboard the Potty Train Conductor’s Whistle – Whether to signal it’s time to go potty or to “sound the trumpet of success,” this fun-to-blow whistle will put a smile on your baby’s face when it’s potty time.

As I said, in celebration of this month's potty training theme I've decided to run a drawing for a Baby Signs Potty Training Kit, which retails at $39.95, for all those who sign up for one of my Potty Training Classes this month. Check my class schedule page for dates, times, and other important information.

After signing up for a class, here are some things you can do to earn extra entries in the drawing (you must sign up for a class first or these don't count):

1 Extra Entry - Follow me on Facebook (if you already do, please email me and you get an extra entry!)
1 Extra Entry - Follow me on Twitter (email me your twitter name)
1 Extra Entry - Tweet about the giveaway (post the direct url in comments)
1 Extra Entry - Post a comment explaining why you hope to win the Potty Training Kit.
1 Extra Entry - Write a post on your blog about the give away and link back to my blog. (post the url in comments)

The giveaway will run through till midnight June 24th with the winner being announced Fri. June 25th. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. Winner will have 48 hrs to contact me before another winner is chosen.

Good luck!

Summer Class Schedule

2010-05-10T20:31:00.000-07:00

Check out the schedule for my Summer Classes - Including my Potty Training Workshops in June! Click on my Class Schedule Page to view all the details. Don't forget to pre-register!

Sign of the Week--MOMMY (and a baby sign story)

2010-05-06T16:50:00.000-07:00

"Joshua, my third baby boy and third signer gave me such a special Mother's Day gift last year. A little over a year old and he was signing up a storm. He would use the sign for "Daddy" for any close family member, Mommy included. No matter how hard I tried he refused to sign "Mommy." He would just look at me and grin with that "I know what you want, but unless you agree to give me an unlimited supply of cookies you're not getting it" look.

Then on Mother's Day I tried again. I asked Joshua, "Can you sign 'Mommy'?" He looked at me and signed "Love Mommy." That child was instantly forgiven for all the sleepless nights and earned major brownie points for the future. He had the biggest smile full of pride on his face like he had been saving it up for just this day, this moment. He signed it over and over and used the sign for "Mommy" every day after that.

That Mother's Day will forever be one of my favorites. For my baby to be able to communicate so young and tell me he loves me; To see the pride and joy on his face because he made Mommy so happy is a gift I will cherish always." -Elizabeth Sprague

Click Here to watch the video to learn the sign for Mommy

When Will My Baby Sign Back to Me?

2010-05-05T05:26:00.001-07:00

I get asked this question a lot. Unfortunately there's no exact date as to when your baby will start signing because there are so many factors that play in. It's fine to start modeling signs the day your baby is born. However, most parents prefer to start signing closer to the time their baby is ready to sign back.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to see if your baby is ready to sign:

Is your baby beginning to point to things?
Is your baby bringing toys or objects to you and looking for a response?
Is your baby beginning to wave "bye-bye"?
Is your baby beginning to shake his/her head for "no" or "yes"?
Is your baby beginning to take an interest in picture books?
Even though your baby knows some words, are there still important things your baby would like to talk about but can't?

Do more than 2 apply to your baby? If so, it's likely that he is ready to sign.

How soon your baby starts signing back to you depends not only on developmental readiness, but also on: How often you demonstrate the signs you want to teach and How interested your baby is in communication.

Being consistent will help your baby learn faster. Sometimes, even when parents are consistent, babies just won't start signing until they are good and ready! Just as with crawling, walking, or teething, every baby has his or her own unique developmental timetable, and it's important to respect that.

Remember that the point of using the Baby Signs® Program is to enhance the fun of communicating with your child, not to add stress to your life. So if your baby isnt' signing back just yet, go with the flow and stick with it. I guarantee that the proud smile on your baby's face after he's made his first sign will be worth the wait.

Diapers and the Environment

2010-04-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

Looking for ways to help the Environment? Consider potty training before age 2.

Think it's not possible? Consider this:

Before disposable diapers were invented, 95% of all children in the US were fully potty trained by 18 months.

Think it's Hard? Consider this:

Children are naturally more cooperative before the age of 2. They like to imitate parents and siblings. And they haven't discovered the word "no."

Here are some videos that will help you learn more:

National Geographic: Impact of Diapers on the Environment
Introduction to the Baby Signs Potty Training Program
The Baby Signs Potty Training Program on THE DOCTORS

Real Life Comments on Facebook from moms who are potty training before age 2:

My 12 month old just signed potty for the first time today while watching the Potty Train dvd. He actually asks for the dvd by bringing me his whistle and then dances and watches intently for the entire thing. Thanks for the encouraging tools!

My 10 month old just signed potty while watching her dvd too! And she really loves the whistle. She gets to play with the whistle when she goes potty. She thinks it's really funny so it's a good positive reinforcement for going potty.

EARTH DAY COUPON! VALID THURS. APRIL 22nd ONLY!

Save $10 on the Baby Signs Potty Training Kit. Just enter the Coupon Code: 10bucks

Order your Potty Training Kit Today!

Second Class Session Begins NEXT WEEK!

2010-04-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

Sign, Say, and Play classes start Friday April 30th

Location: Kiddy Korner Toy Store 100 West Rd Ellington, CT
Time: 3:30 pm
Session Runs from April 30th through June 11th (no class Memorial Day Weekend)
Cost $10/class or $7.50/class if you register for all 6 classes
I'm extending my Bring a Friend for this class as well. Bring a friend and if they sign up for all 6 classes you both get an extra $15 off the total price of the classes!

To Register please email bryn.chandler@babysignsprogram.com

$5 Registration fee is due before class. This fee counts toward the total cost, it's not an additional cost.

Why is Tummy Time So Important?

2010-04-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

Approximately 10 years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics launched a “Back to
Sleep” campaign in an effort to reduce the number of infant deaths due to Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Now, a decade later, the incidence of SIDS in the
USA has declined by approximately 50%. That’s the good news!

However, as is often the case, along with good news comes some bad news. In this
case, it involves the negative effects that have sometimes resulted from babies
spending too much time on their backs, including sleeping on their backs, but also due
to the amount of time spent in baby equipment, such as car seats, strollers, bounce
chairs and swings.

One significant negative consequence of the “Back to Sleep” campaign is what is
referred to as “misshapen head” (or in medical terminology, Plegiocephaly), a condition
that is characterized by a flattening of the back of the head. In addition, when
babies spend too much time on their backs, it can result in a tightening of the muscles
on one side of the neck, a condition known as Positional Torticollis.

In addition to these medical conditions, pediatricians worry that not enough tummy
time can result in significant motor delays, such as in rolling over, sitting up and even
crawling and walking. And believe it or not, motor delays such as these can actually
impact brain development. Lack of tummy time can also impede the development of
strong necks and arms and affect the development of balance and coordination.

To avoid these negative consequences, pediatricians encourage parents to put their
babies on their tummies (supervised, of course) for short periods several times a day.
Parents are advised to begin tummy time within their baby’s first week. While awake,
parents should place their baby on her tummy 2 to 3 times each day, beginning with
about 3 to 5 minutes and increasing the time as she gets older.

However, babies do not like to be on their tummies and cry and fuss when put in this
position. Parents, out of frustration, often give up and end up relying more and more
on baby equipment like swings and bounce chairs. The problem for parents is that,
while they are told that tummy time is necessary, they aren’t told how to make it
enjoyable (or at least tolerable) for their babies.

That’s just what Rumble Tumble Tummy Time™ is designed to do!
Email bryn.chandler@babysignsprogram.com to request a class.

Sign of the Week: Ball

2010-04-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

Another great sign for something all babies enjoy! I love playing ball with my kids outside and in. Enjoy watching this video and teaching your baby the sign for ball.

Video for Baby Sign Ball

But Won't Signing Discourage my Baby from Talking?

2010-04-15T19:05:00.000-07:00

A Common MYTH answered by Linda Acredolo, Ph.D. and Susan Goodwyn, Ph.D.

By far the most frequently voiced concern about encouraging babies to communicate
with signs is that doing so will discourage them from learning to talk. In fact, we often
refer to this belief as the “Mother-in-Law” myth because we so often hear it voiced by
moms in the following way:

‘My mother-in-law says, “If he gets what he wants without using words,
he’ll never learn to talk.” What should I tell her?’

Well, here is what we tell them:
1. Well-designed, government-funded research has shown that the opposite is true. Using
a large grant from the National Institutes of Health, we carefully compared babies
whose parents encouraged them to use signs to babies from the same communities
whose parents who were completely unaware of the possibility. Our assessments
included standardized tests of verbal language development administered from 11
months to 36 months of age. What did we find? In test after test the children who had
signed were more advanced than the non-signers in language skills. The results were
published in 2000 in a peer-reviewed professional journal (Journal of Nonverbal
Behavior, 2000, 24, 81-103), and for those who would like to read it (or give it to
their mother-in-law!), the full text is available on our Baby Signs® web site
(http://www.babysigns.com/).

2. Just as babies learn to crawl before they can walk, using signs gives them a
developmentally appropriate way to communicate before they can talk. Once children
learn to walk they no longer crawl because of the greater freedom walking affords
them. Communication is the same way. While signs are useful before children have
words, speech allows them the ability to communicate more quickly and more fully.
As a child’s mind and body develops, he or she will naturally transition to speaking in
order to convey ever more complex ideas and longer sentences. Far from getting in
the way of the process, signs provide a bridge that helps the transition from no
language to spoken language.

3. The experience of signing teaches babies useful lessons about how language works--
lessons that speed up the process of learning to talk once words are finally available.
By enabling a baby to practice learning and using symbols to label objects, express
needs, and describe feelings, signs create a mental framework which makes it easy to incorporate words as soon as the baby’s vocal cords are developed enough to use
them.

4. The natural reaction to a baby’s use of a sign is to “bathe” the child with words, and
the more words a child hears, the faster he or she will learn to talk. Using signs results
in children hearing lots of words and sentences directly relevant to the topic they have
chosen. Why? Part of the reason is because we always encourage parents to say the
word every time that they or their baby use a sign. In addition, once a child begins to
produce signs on his or her own, parents find themselves responding with words and
words and more words. When your baby begins to look at you and sniff for flower
while strolling through the park, you will automatically respond with something like,
“Oh, you see the flowers! Yes, those are pretty flowers. We see lots of flowers, don’t
we?” This exposure to words they care about is exactly what children need in order to
learn how to say the words themselves.

5. Every time a baby successfully uses a sign, changes occur in the brain that bring the
child closer to mastering language. The circuitry in the brain--upon which talking
depends--develops along with a child’s experience with language. Because using
signs enables children to begin the process earlier, the development of this circuitry
gets a significant “jump start” that continues to pay off for years down the line.

These are five very sound arguments. Sometimes, however, the most compelling
information of all is the story of Linda's own son's journey to verbal language. Her son
Kai, now a college student, was a great signer. Starting with his first sign at 12 months
("fan"), he built his signing vocabulary to a total of 40 signs by the time he was 19
months old. But, just as many of you may have experienced, words were not coming
nearly as fast. In fact, the day he turned 19 months old, he had only 7 words! But then
something "clicked" (probably neurologically) and in the space of just three weeks, he
added 67 new words! Clearly, he knew very well what he wanted to say. The signs had
enabled him to learn lots and lots about how language works, what objects are called, etc,
and once the final underlying neurological piece was in place, he was off to the races!

So, the next time someone suggests that your encouragement of signs is going to keep
your child from talking, just smile and say “Oh, that old wive’s tale?” (We suggest you
don’t mention Mothers-in-Laws yourself!) “No one who knows the research behind the
Baby Signs® Program is worried about that anymore. Signing is actually the best thing I
could be doing to help my baby learn to talk.”

Good luck – and HAPPY SIGNING!

Deal Alert!!

2010-04-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

Free Shipping on all orders at BabySigns.com with coupon code: "babysigns416"
Valid Friday April 16th through Sunday April 18th
Follow this link! Happy Shopping!
Shop BabySigns.com and start communicating with your baby today!

Reccommended Items:
Baby Signs Complete Starter Kit
Baby Signs Potty Training Kit
Complete DVD set with FREE plush tote.
Buy 1 Get 1 FREE DVD Fun Pack Offer. (Limited Time)
Baby Signs Board Book Offer

Sign of the Week: Shoes

2010-04-12T05:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring! The sun is out and the weather is getting warmer. It's a perfect time to go for a walk and play outside. While you get ready, it's the opportunity to teach your baby the sign for shoes! Watch the video on You Tube.

Announcing a New Class Time!

2010-03-31T12:13:00.000-07:00

I am opening up a second class time for the Sign, Say and Play classes. Check out the Class Schedule for more details.

Why Potty Train BEFORE age 2

2010-03-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

When my oldest daughter was about 18 months old I started asking my friends and family about potty training and when I should start and how do I know if she's ready. I got all sorts of conflicting answers. Some were surprised she was not potty trained yet, while others said wait until she's 3 or 4. So I decided to wait until she was 2 1/2 years old. It was the worst experience ever. There was a lot of mess, a lot of temper tantrums and battles of will, and more. It was not easy. It was difficult. I assumed that potty training was just that way. It can never be any way else: it's just horrible by nature.

Then I had another baby, a boy. When he was about 14 months old or so, I stumbled upon the Baby Signs® program and incidentally, the Baby Signs® Potty Training program. It talked about a revolutionary new way to potty train before age 2. I decided to give it a shot and bought the potty training kit. I started training my son at 17 months old. I figured it wouldn't make potty training any worse, at the very least it might help a bit. But I wasn't sure if he could really potty train before age 2. I was amazed. Potty training was actually FUN! It was fun for me and my boy. It was so much EASIER with the Baby Signs Potty Training kit. I read the book that came with the kit and learned so many things that I didn't know and didn't understand the first time around with my daughter. The book was written by child development experts Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn with Ann Supanklang, M.Ed. It gives wonderful advice on the entire potty training process and answers many parents frequently asked questions. I often wish I had had this book and this kit when I was potty training my daughter. Since I can't go back in time, I hope to help others become more informed on the benefits of potty training so they don't repeat my mistakes from my first potty training experience. I also hope to share in the fun and ease I got to enjoy the second time around using the Baby Signs® Potty Training Kit with my son.

Top reasons to Potty Train Before Age 2:

Avoid a battle of wills
Avoid an ingrained habit of going potty in a diaper
Avoid "crash course" potty training to meet preschool deadlines
Avoid health problems such as urinary tract infections and chronic constipation
Helps the environment by reducing the amount of diapers going in landfills each year
Saves money

Later Training Is Problematic for Parents and Children
Since the 1960s, diaper companies have actively promoted a ‘modern approach’ to potty training in which parents are advised to wait until their child is “ready”—sometime after age 2—to start training. This advice implies that later potty training will be easier, with children practically training themselves. In truth, potty training after 2 is actually more difficult. Why? Because, as the term “the terrible twos” implies, this is an age when children begin to say “No!” to everything. As a result, potty training all too often becomes a battle of wills, especially because eliminating in a diaper has become a well-ingrained habit that’s hard to break and also because parents, frantic over looming preschool deadlines, frequently resort to pressure tactics. There are other consequences of late training as well, according to Dr. Susan Goodwyn. “After age 2, children develop the ability to experience shame and embarrassment about bodily functions which can lead to additional problems, such as low self-esteem and stoolwithholding,
a tendency that can result in chronic constipation.”

Later Training Is Bad for the Environment
Later potty training also results in many more diapers in our landfills—1500-2000 more per child per year, with each diaper estimated to take up to 500 years to decompose. In addition, according to the National Geographic documentary “Human Footprint,” manufacturing a year’s worth of diapers for a single baby requires 759 pints of crude oil, 286 pounds of plastic, and 1.8 large trees. What’s more, laid end to end, the number of diapers used in one year in the United States alone (18 billion) would circle the world 90 times! While some parents believe that changing to cloth diapers alleviates the negative impact on the environment, many experts cite serious concerns about the increased use of energy, water and chemicals required for laundering cloth diapers. Clearly, decreasing a child’s stay in diapers by a single year—from 36 to 24 months—would have asignificant and very positive impact on the environment.

New Approach Aims to Reverse Trend
Concerned about the detrimental effects of later and later potty training, Dr. Goodwyn and Dr. Acredolo developed an innovative new approach—Potty Training Made Easy with the Baby Signs® Program—that makes early training not only possible, but also fun and easy for parents and babies. Based on their 2-year investigation of potty training practices, they concluded that the ideal age to start potty training is around 12 months. “Because this is a time when verbal language is limited,” says Dr. Acredolo, “and because effective communication is important to successful potty training, we saw a natural role for our bestselling Baby Signs® Program. By using a few simple potty-time signs, babies can easily tell their parents they need to go potty even before they can talk.”

Success at Any Age
Potty Training Made Easy with the Baby Signs® Program has been field tested with children from 9 months to 4 years with great success. Jennifer Macris, a mother of five who used the program, says, “I potty trained my four older children before using this program with my youngest son, and I can definitely say that this is the most fun and effective program out there. It works!”

2010-03-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

Sign, Say and Play Classes
March Classes:
Date: Saturdays March 6 through April 10th--6 class series
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Music Maker's Academy
517 Hartford Rd
Manchester, CT
Spaces still Open! Call Paula Penna @ (860) 646-3096 or email paulap@musicmakersacademy.com

April Classes:
Date: Thursdays April 1st through May 6th
Time: 10:15 am
Location: Kiddy Korner Toy Store
100 West Rd
Ellington, CT
Limited Space Available. Register today by calling (860) 597-1926 or email bryn.chandler@babysignsprogram.com

Potty Training Class
March Classes
Date: Thurs March 25th
Time: 3:30 pm
Location: Kiddy Korner Toy Store
100 West Rd
Ellington, CT

Rumble Tumble Tummy Time
Coming Soon!

Under the Sea
Coming Soon!

Parent Workshops
Coming Soon!

Sign of the Week

2010-03-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

Watch a video of of the sign for "Bird"