Posted: 2/1/05
Signing: a new tool with infants, toddlers
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Kim Rommes, 30, is one of a growing number of parents who sees value in teaching sign language to their children.
Kimís daughter, Madyson, age two, uses sign language to communicate many things with her mother, and with her daycare provider, Shelly Munson at Country Friends daycare in rural Caledonia.
Madyson, or ìMadyî as Kim likes to call her, went through a few of the signs at her motherís urging on January 25 at the daycare. Juice, eat, drink, more, and shoes-on, were just a few that Mady demonstrated, usually wearing a grin while she did it.
Some of the signs were ìofficialî American Sign Language gestures, but some were unique.
For example, Kim said the word ìangry,î and Madyson made two fists and shook them a bit. She looked angry.
Mady has Downs Syndrome, but thatís not the main reason why Kim uses sign with her. Itís just a good communication technique. It eliminates frustrating times where Mady canít communicate. It cuts down on the process of elimination that parents have to go through in figuring out what their youngster wants.
ìI would do the same with any kid,î Kim said.
Kim started using sign language when Madyson was about eight months old, at the suggestion of speech therapist Michelle Roberts.
Shelly Munson, 38, uses sign language with most of her 10 daycare kids. She is also teaching them the alphabet in sign.
Itís both helpful and fun, Munson said. ìI think people are amazed that babies can learn something at such a young age,î she said. ìI guess thatís showing us that they can understand what weíre saying even though they canít tell us vocally.î
Munson finds herself using words in sign like yes, no, dog, mom, dad, please, and thank you with the kids.
While she spoke, Mady made a gesture of crossing her palms over her heart. ìShe says, ëLove youí,î Shelly explained.
A class called ìSigning with Babyî is coming to Caledonia Elementary School on Monday, February 7. (See sidebar for details.)
ëSigning with babyí class Monday
Caledonia Schools ECFE and Community Education is presenting a class called ìSigning with Babyî on Monday, February 7, from 6-8 p.m. in the elementary school cafeteria.
Denise Meyer, an American Sign Language trainer, will be the guest presenter. She will teach more than 100 signs to communicate with infants and toddlers. babies as young as six months can use signs to communicate their needs, wants, and feelings.
To register, call the ECFE office at 507-725-5205, extension 328, or email marylou_busta@cps.k12.mn.us.
A light supper will be served at 5:30 p.m., and free childcare is available upon request.
Caledonia Argus
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E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com