Baby Signs is Amazing: Guest post from Nicole Borza Koch

A Sacramento, CA mom felt compelled to share her thoughts about the Baby Signs Program on Facebook today. We enjoyed reading her signing story so much so we're sharing it with you.

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I feel compelled to write a testimonial because signing with Lily & specifically the Baby Signs program has totally changed our lives for the better!

We started signing to Lily as soon as she was born. We only knew about 10+ signs, but we would make them every time we could, especially signs like "milk". When Lily was 4 months old . . . she started signing "milk" when she wanted to eat! It was amazing! By the time she was 8 months old, she also knew "more", "hot", and "dog".

When Lily was 11 months old, we started our Baby Signs class. The class was amazing. In the babies eyes, the class is taught by Beebo, the Bear. What an ingenious idea! What a great way to capture their attention! Each child is given the spotlight during the class. We socialize, we sign, we sing, we play with toys, we read, we experience. It utilizes every possible method of learning and it WORKS! Within 1 week, Lily knew about 5 more signs. Now . . . she knows 40+ (I just counted the other day) and she's only 14 months old. She's talking also, so signing is definitely not a deterant for talking, but she makes her signs while she tries to say words.

Being able to communicate with her is SUCH a blessing. I love knowing that not only does she want to eat, but specifically that she wants cheese . . . or eggs . . . or milk. As a first time mother, being able to communicate so clearly with my child at such a young age is very comforting because I feel like I can truly meet her needs.

We have signed up for our second series of Baby Signs classes & we can't wait. Lily LOVES Beebo, the Bear. She doesn't watch any TV, except for her Baby Signs DVD. We have tried other shows like Sesame Street a few times, but she specifically askes for "Beebo . . . on!" She gets SO excited when the DVD comes on. She points & smiles & laughs & dances & signs. We also listen to our Baby Signs CD in the car. A few weeks ago, I was driving & tired, so I wasn't signing and singing like I normally do. I looked in our baby mirror & saw Lily concentrating very intently . . . and signing! Every word that a person was supposed to sign, she was!!! "Eat, eat, eat some food, eat some food, I say . . . "

Baby Signs is amazing! I HIGHLY recommend it to all parents of babies & toddlers :)

-Nicole

Thank you!

On behalf of Dr. Acredolo, Dr. Goodwyn and all of the staff at Baby Signs, Inc., we want to thank you for your endorsements of the Baby Signs story for our Shine A Light nomination. Our story received the required number of endorsements to move on to phase two of this small business award competition; however we were not selected for the final 3 contestants.

If you would like to vote for one of the three outstanding finalist, you can visit http://shinealight.ivillage.com/

Thank you for your continued support of the Baby Signs Program.

-Linda Easton-Waller
Director of Marketing,
Baby Signs, Inc.

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How To Raise A Reader

Check out this great article from Parents.com featuring Dr. Linda Acredolo

By Kim Ratcliff

Settling into a comfy chair with your child to read a story is one of the best things about being a parent. And if you haven't already made reading a daily habit, you need to start now, since books benefit kids in so many ways. "First of all, reading with your child is a wonderful bonding experience," says Parents advisor Linda Acredolo, PhD, coauthor of Baby Minds. Your kid gets to bask in your undivided attention, which makes storytime truly magical. Reading every single day also helps your child learn to talk, expand her vocabulary, build her imagination, and get prepped for school. Our expert tips will get your child hooked on books for life.

Reading with Babies
You can't start the reading habit too early. At 3 to 6 months, your baby will be more interested in chewing her board books, but by the end of her first year, she'll probably pick out favorites.

What They Learn
When you turn pages with your baby in your arms, she'll associate books with snuggling. "As an infant, she's learning to value books because it means she gets to cuddle with her mom or dad," says Dr. Acredolo. But most important, reading to a young baby ultimately helps her learn to talk. She begins to connect pictures with words. At 9 months, she'll be able to home in on your tone of voice, cadence, and the length of sentences. "Parents help a baby learn language by speaking to her often, with varied vocabulary and about topics she finds interesting," says Parents advisor Kathleen McCartney, PhD, professor of early-childhood development at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Make Reading Fun

• Go for the right touch (and taste!). Babies learn through their senses, so buy cardboard or cloth books that they can put in their mouth.



• Face it. Infants love looking at pictures of faces, especially those of other babies.



• Be silly. Is there a phone in the story? Say, "Ring, ring. Hello? I'm sorry Olivia can't take your call; she's in a meeting."



• Point out things in the real world. When you're taking a walk, talk about stuff you've read about in books. "See the doggie?" This will help her begin to associate the word "dog" with her picture book and the live creature in front of her.

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• Go to original Parents.com article.
  
• Read about how signing impacts early literacy.


• See video of a baby signing and "reading!"
  
• Visit BabySigns.com

Congratulations to our V.Smile Baby Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Carol at http://ceeceeblogger.blogspot.com/ who won our v.Smile Baby Giveaway contest.

Carol, please send your mailing address to me at lindae {at} babysigns {dot} com.

Thank you to all who participated. Watch this blog for more contest announcements.

-Linda Easton-Waller
Director of Marketing,
Baby Signs, Inc.

Get Ready for Cold and Flu Season: Part 2

Click here to see a video dictionary of health
and medical signs on the Baby Signs website.