Baby Signs Malaysia will be hosting a session called "Learning to talk - What a Journey!" on May 23rd 10am at our office. Pn Farah Alkaf, Speech Language Pathologist and the Director of Speechelp will be conducting this hour and a half session. Among some of the things that Farah will share are
- communication - what is it?
- what's necessary for communication
- speech and language milestones
- and much much more!
Come and join us for this educational and fun session.
Prior registration is required. To register, please contact Jamie at 012-3101704 or jamie@babysignsmalaysia.com with the following details: -
-Participant's full name
-No. of people attending
-Age of child/children
-Handphone no.
Session fee is RM10 per person and RM15 per couple.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Storytelling at Fabulous Mom on 2nd May at 11a.m.
We are having a storytelling session at Fabulous Mom this Saturday (2nd May) at 11am. Join us.
Prior registration required.
Please contact Fabulous Mom.
Prior registration required.
Please contact Fabulous Mom.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Potty Party on 3rd May, 3pm
The next Potty Party will be held on 3rd May at 3pm in our office.
Fee is RM20 per individual and RM30 per couple.
Please fill in our On-Line Registration Form.
For further enquiries, please contact Jamie at 012-3101704.
Fee is RM20 per individual and RM30 per couple.
Please fill in our On-Line Registration Form.
For further enquiries, please contact Jamie at 012-3101704.
Use of Signs in Hearing Communities
It is not only those who have lost their ability to hear that use signs and signed languages to communicate as many people who have perfect hearing frequently use non-verbal communication techniques both at home and during their working day.
In fact it is probably used more often than most people realise as they are unaware that they are using forms of sign language to communicate.
The Use Of Non-Verbal Communication
Even the simple gesture of nodding or shaking the head is a form of signing albeit very primitive. It is from very crude gestures such as this that more sophisticated signed language develops.
The use of facial expressions is also a very important form of signing and by using facial expression, many different moods and emphases can be used to highlight the most important parts of communication both verbal and non-verbal.
In many types of jobs either when the staff work in relative quietness of in very noisy environments when verbal communication wouldn’t be very useful, facial expression and gesturing are often used without individuals being aware that they are using a form of sign language.
Hearing People Who Sign
Sign language is not just for those who have lost their hearing as many people who can hear well have learned the skills needed for signed language and are able to teach these skills to others. They are essential in helping people who want to learn signed language especially those who are losing their hearing or have lost their hearing.
These people can also act as ‘interpreters’ when needed in situations such as when a non-hearing person is a patient in hospital, when needed for interviews as well as many other situations. It is a very useful skills to learn even if you have good hearing already.
Sign Language & Education
Experts have now found that parents who encourage their children, even from a very early age, to use forms of signed language as a communication aid will significantly improve that child’s ability to learn other skills at a later date.
Research has shown that children who were taught singed language or encouraged to use non-verbal communication in their early years have a better ability to learn new languages in later childhood.
This is very encouraging in our multi-cultural and international lifestyle as learning new languages will indefinitely give children a better foundation for success in adult life.
Forms of basic sign language can be taught to the very young even to babies and teaching these skills has allowed parents to their babies with less crying and whining than those who cannot express their wishes.
Very basic gestures indicating that the child would like a drink, a different toy, a bath or food not only helps to improve the relationship between parent and child but also allows the child to express their needs with less frustration.
It may be easily assumed that signed languages are just for those with no or little hearing ability but this is not true. Many people use forms of signed language to communicate and it is now recommended that parent encourage their children to learn basic signing even from being a baby to help them express their needs removing the development of frustration which leads to crying and annoyance from both the parents and the child.
Taken from http://www.signedlanguage.co.uk
In fact it is probably used more often than most people realise as they are unaware that they are using forms of sign language to communicate.
The Use Of Non-Verbal Communication
Even the simple gesture of nodding or shaking the head is a form of signing albeit very primitive. It is from very crude gestures such as this that more sophisticated signed language develops.
The use of facial expressions is also a very important form of signing and by using facial expression, many different moods and emphases can be used to highlight the most important parts of communication both verbal and non-verbal.
In many types of jobs either when the staff work in relative quietness of in very noisy environments when verbal communication wouldn’t be very useful, facial expression and gesturing are often used without individuals being aware that they are using a form of sign language.
Hearing People Who Sign
Sign language is not just for those who have lost their hearing as many people who can hear well have learned the skills needed for signed language and are able to teach these skills to others. They are essential in helping people who want to learn signed language especially those who are losing their hearing or have lost their hearing.
These people can also act as ‘interpreters’ when needed in situations such as when a non-hearing person is a patient in hospital, when needed for interviews as well as many other situations. It is a very useful skills to learn even if you have good hearing already.
Sign Language & Education
Experts have now found that parents who encourage their children, even from a very early age, to use forms of signed language as a communication aid will significantly improve that child’s ability to learn other skills at a later date.
Research has shown that children who were taught singed language or encouraged to use non-verbal communication in their early years have a better ability to learn new languages in later childhood.
This is very encouraging in our multi-cultural and international lifestyle as learning new languages will indefinitely give children a better foundation for success in adult life.
Forms of basic sign language can be taught to the very young even to babies and teaching these skills has allowed parents to their babies with less crying and whining than those who cannot express their wishes.
Very basic gestures indicating that the child would like a drink, a different toy, a bath or food not only helps to improve the relationship between parent and child but also allows the child to express their needs with less frustration.
It may be easily assumed that signed languages are just for those with no or little hearing ability but this is not true. Many people use forms of signed language to communicate and it is now recommended that parent encourage their children to learn basic signing even from being a baby to help them express their needs removing the development of frustration which leads to crying and annoyance from both the parents and the child.
Taken from http://www.signedlanguage.co.uk
Thursday, April 16, 2009
From another very delighted mom....
From Ho Siew Chui, mommy to An Qi, 17 months
An Qi is 17 months now. She can't talk yet but is saying certain words. For some words that she says, she signs too. She also signs for words that she can't say yet like ice-cream, thank you, please, butterfly, good, moon, bye bye etc. Her favorites (which she signs all the time) are hat, clock, dog, duck, bird, sleep, book, cow.
Was signing helpful? I think it's just amazing and I am spreading the word to all my friends.
Like other babies, An Qi is quite observant and she always wants to tell us what she sees. She will sign to us. We went shopping ages ago and prior to that, I taught her the sign for clock (I made it up). We went past a shop and An Qi who was sitting in her stroller, glanced back to me and signed clock. I looked and saw the shop that was selling clocks and watches. It was such a surprise! Even now, whenever she sees a clock, she will make sure we know.
Through signing, she's communicating to us her needs, her thoughts and her preferences. It shows that she understands what we say and that's really important to us.
How signing played a part in her verbal development? For now, since she mispronounces certain words, signing helps us to understand what she says. We get to correct her by repeating the word she says. She's doing the movements and signs to some of the children songs although she can't sing yet. It's her way of enjoying the music.
An Qi is 17 months now. She can't talk yet but is saying certain words. For some words that she says, she signs too. She also signs for words that she can't say yet like ice-cream, thank you, please, butterfly, good, moon, bye bye etc. Her favorites (which she signs all the time) are hat, clock, dog, duck, bird, sleep, book, cow.
Was signing helpful? I think it's just amazing and I am spreading the word to all my friends.
Like other babies, An Qi is quite observant and she always wants to tell us what she sees. She will sign to us. We went shopping ages ago and prior to that, I taught her the sign for clock (I made it up). We went past a shop and An Qi who was sitting in her stroller, glanced back to me and signed clock. I looked and saw the shop that was selling clocks and watches. It was such a surprise! Even now, whenever she sees a clock, she will make sure we know.
Through signing, she's communicating to us her needs, her thoughts and her preferences. It shows that she understands what we say and that's really important to us.
How signing played a part in her verbal development? For now, since she mispronounces certain words, signing helps us to understand what she says. We get to correct her by repeating the word she says. She's doing the movements and signs to some of the children songs although she can't sing yet. It's her way of enjoying the music.
The Baby Signs(R) Program featured in Kosmo!
Komunikasi isyarat tubuh
Oleh JOHANNA A. SOBREY
johanna.sobrey@kosmo.com.my
Ramai beranggapan isyarat tubuh atau bahasa isyarat hanya untuk golongan kurang upaya. Namun, ramai yang tidak menyedari bahawa ia sangat efektif dalam komunikasi antara ibu dan si kecil.
KETIKA berusia 14 bulan, Shawn Wong menghidap demam panas dan seperti kanak-kanak lain seusia dengannya, dia akan merengek dan menangis pada waktu tengah malam kerana berasa tidak selesa.
Apabila dihampiri ibunya, Jamie Solomon, tangan si kecil itu akan mengepal dan membuka semula berulang kali sebagai tanda isyarat permintaannya.
"Melihat sahaja tangannya, saya sudah tahu bahawa Shawn mahukan susu," ujar Solomon ketika ditemui Kosmo! di Kuala Lumpur baru-baru ini.
Sekiranya Shawn tidak menunjukkan isyarat tersebut, Solomon berkata, dia tentu beranggapan bahawa anaknya mahukan ubat, dipangku atau ditukar lampin sebelum pilihan terakhir, menyusu.
"Tanda isyarat 'susu' itu membolehkan komunikasi efektif antara Shawn dan saya.
"Dia tidak perlu menangis lama untuk mendapatkan apa yang dikehendakinya dan saya tidak berasa putus asa untuk mengetahui apa yang sebenarnya diperlukannya," tambahnya.
Solomon merupakan Pengarah BabySigns Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. iaitu sebuah syarikat yang menyediakan program mendidik bayi berkomunikasi dengan menggunakan bahasa isyarat.
"Sebelum ini, bayi mengekspresikan diri mereka melalui kesan emosi seperti gelak ketawa atau tangisan.
"Adakalanya, ini menyukarkan kita memahami apa yang bayi inginkan, minat atau rasa," ujar Solomon.
BabySigns, katanya, mengajar kanak-kanak yang tidak mengalami masalah pendengaran bahasa isyarat yang berdasarkan kepada program Bahasa Isyarat Amerika (ASL).
ASL digunakan dalam kalangan individu yang mengalami masalah pendengaran di Amerika Syarikat.
Menceritakan tentang latar belakang BabySigns, Solomon berkata: "Pada tahun 1982, pakar perubatan, Dr. Linda Acredolo dan Susan Goodwyn mendapati bayi mampu menggunakan isyarat tangan secara spontan untuk mewakili ayat yang tidak mampu mereka suarakan.
Mereka akan menghidu untuk 'bunga' atau mengepakkan tangan di sisi badan sebagai tanda 'burung'. Kedua-dua doktor berkenaan berfikir, bagaimana sekiranya ibu bapa membantu dalam proses tersebut.
Sehubungan itu, lahirlah program BabySigns, bahasa isyarat semula jadi yang membenarkan bayi dan ibu bapa berkomunikasi dengan menggunakan isyarat ringkas untuk perkara-perkara penting seperti lapar atau dahaga, haiwan, emosi dan rasa.
"Melalui penyelidikan yang kebanyakannya ditaja oleh Institut Kesihatan Kebangsaan selama dua dekad, Acredolo dan Goodwyn telah menunjukkan bahawa program tersebut mempunyai pelbagai manfaat besar kepada bayi dan ibu bapa," kata Solomon.
Katanya, banyak yang ingin diperkatakan oleh bayi, sungguhpun mereka masih belum mampu untuk berkata-kata.
Walaupun demikian, Solomon berkata, kebolehan bayi berbahasa isyarat bergantung kepada apa yang telah diajar oleh ibu bapa.
"Tetapi ada kalanya, bayi akan membentuk sendiri bahasa isyarat mereka dan ibu bapa harus peka apa yang bayi mereka 'katakan'."
Solomon menggalakkan pengajaran tanda isyarat tangan yang digabungkan dengan percakapan bermula sejak lahir lagi.
Bercakap sambil berisyarat kata Solomon akan mendedahkan kanak-kanak dengan perkataan.
"Sungguhpun bayi tidak memahami sepenuhnya apa yang diperkatakan, tetapi dengan terus mengajar mereka, lama-kelamaan mereka akan berjaya.
"Ingin kami tekankan bahawa progres setiap bayi adalah berbeza," katanya yang melibatkan Shawn dalam program BabySigns pada usia 10 bulan.
Dengan kesungguhannya mengajar Shawn berbahasa isyarat, kanak-kanak yang kini berusia setahun itu mampu melakukannya dalam masa hanya dua bulan.
Sehubugan itu, Solomon merasakan usia tiga bulan merupakan waktu yang sesuai untuk memperkenalkan program BabySigns kerana pada peringkat itu, bayi lebih sedar dan masih belum mampu bergolek atau merangkak.
"Mereka memberikan tumpuan kepada anda. Namun demikian, bayi yang lebih berusia akan lebih cepat 'tangkap' apa yang ibu bapa ajar."
Mengulas manfaat program BabySigns, Solomon berkata: "Daripada segi perkembangan kognitif dan bahasa, manfaat lain adalah mengurangkan tangisan, perasaan marah dan putus asa antara kanak-kanak dan ibu bapa, membenarkan orang dewasa berkongsi dunia dengan si kecil, mengukuhkan ikatan antara anak dan ibu bapa, meningkatkan keyakinan diri anak, memudahkan pembelajaran bertutur dan merangsang perkembangan intelektual."
Program BabySigns, ujar Solomon, akan menggalakkan komunikasi proaktif antara dua pihak.
"Contohnya, sekiranya bayi tidak berbahasa isyarat, mereka akan menangis dan menunjuk sesuatu yang ada kalanya orang dewasa tidak memahami apa yang cuba mereka sampaikan.
"Melalui isyarat, bayi-bayi akan memulakan satu perbualan dan ibu bapa akan memberikan respons bercakap dengan mereka. Ini akan menambahkan kegembiraan kanak-kanak dan menggalakkan mereka berkomunikasi," katanya.
Mengakui antara perkara yang merunsingkan ibu bapa adalah sama ada program tersebut akan melembapkan anak-anak mereka untuk bercakap, Solomon menjelaskan: "Hakikatnya, program BabySigns itu bukan untuk melambatkan tetapi sebenarnya membantu mereka bercakap.
"Ia seperti kanak-kanak yang merangkak sebelum berjalan. Jadi, mempelajari bahasa isyarat akan menambahkan motivasi mereka untuk bercakap."
Ini katanya dibuktikan oleh satu kajian pada tahun 1980-an yang dijalankan oleh Acredolo dan Goodwyn yang menunjukkan manfaat program itu dalam perkembangan bahasa termasuk apabila kanak-kanak berusia dua tahun yang mengikuti program BabySigns menunjukkan perbendaharaan kata yang lebih besar berbanding kanak-kanak yang tidak mengikuti program tersebut.
Solomon yang merupakan instruktor bertauliah bebas antarabangsa yang pertama untuk program BabySigns di Malaysia berkata, program tersebut bukanlah sukar untuk diajar atau dipelajari bagi ibu bapa dan anak-anak mereka.
"Sebenarnya, bahasa isyarat adalah satu perkara yang semula jadi dan terbentuk daripada apa yang sememangnya diamalkan sejak sekian lama.
"Ini boleh dilihat dalam tanda isyarat melambai untuk 'bye-bye' atau mengangguk (ya) dan menggelengkan kepala (tidak). Ia seperti juga penggunaan tangan dan riak muka ketika menyanyikan lagu-lagu kanak-kanak.
Berdasarkan model ini, program BabySigns, kata Solomon lagi, membantu dalam apa yang telah pun dilakukan secara semula jadi.
"Pada mulanya, bayi-bayi ini akan mengetahui satu perkataan dan lama-kelamaan, mereka mampu menghubungkan satu perkataan. Seperti Shawn, perkataan pertamanya adalah more (lebih banyak). Kemudian, pada suatu hari ketika di pasar raya, dia berisyarat more biscuits atau lebih banyak biskut.
Antara isyarat yang diajar kepada peserta termasuklah haiwan, emosi, waktu, ibu dan bapa serta objek seperti bola dan buku.
Sehubungan itu, BabySigns Malaysia menawarkan bengkel ibu bapa yang direka untuk membimbing penjaga tentang bagaimana menggunakan program BabySigns di rumah.
Ia juga menawarkan kelas Sign, Say and Play yang merupakan enam siri kelas interaktif dan menyeronokkan yang membolehkan ibu bapa dan bayi mereka belajar bahasa isyarat dalam persekitaran yang santai dan penuh sokongan.
"Di samping itu, kami juga menawarkan rangkaian produk yang komprehensif bagi membantu proses pembelajaran bayi seperti buku-buku, DVD dan sumber lain yang menjadikan pembelajaran bahasa isyarat menyeronokkan dan mudah untuk semua.
Terbaru, BabySigns Malaysia menawarkan kursus latihan kepada pendidik peringkat awal kanak-kanak.
"Seorang instruktor bertauliah bebas akan datang ke pusat-pusat terlibat untuk menunjukkan cara tentang bagaimana menggunakan sumber-sumber yang ada.
"Terdapat tiga aras latihan untuk dipilih. Kesemuanya menunjukkan bagaimana guru-guru boleh menggunakan program BabySigns dalam bidang perkembangan bahasa, emosi, sosial, fizikal dan kognitif dalam kurikulum pembelajaran sedia ada," kata Solomon.
Oleh JOHANNA A. SOBREY
johanna.sobrey@kosmo.com.my
Ramai beranggapan isyarat tubuh atau bahasa isyarat hanya untuk golongan kurang upaya. Namun, ramai yang tidak menyedari bahawa ia sangat efektif dalam komunikasi antara ibu dan si kecil.
KETIKA berusia 14 bulan, Shawn Wong menghidap demam panas dan seperti kanak-kanak lain seusia dengannya, dia akan merengek dan menangis pada waktu tengah malam kerana berasa tidak selesa.
Apabila dihampiri ibunya, Jamie Solomon, tangan si kecil itu akan mengepal dan membuka semula berulang kali sebagai tanda isyarat permintaannya.
"Melihat sahaja tangannya, saya sudah tahu bahawa Shawn mahukan susu," ujar Solomon ketika ditemui Kosmo! di Kuala Lumpur baru-baru ini.
Sekiranya Shawn tidak menunjukkan isyarat tersebut, Solomon berkata, dia tentu beranggapan bahawa anaknya mahukan ubat, dipangku atau ditukar lampin sebelum pilihan terakhir, menyusu.
"Tanda isyarat 'susu' itu membolehkan komunikasi efektif antara Shawn dan saya.
"Dia tidak perlu menangis lama untuk mendapatkan apa yang dikehendakinya dan saya tidak berasa putus asa untuk mengetahui apa yang sebenarnya diperlukannya," tambahnya.
Solomon merupakan Pengarah BabySigns Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. iaitu sebuah syarikat yang menyediakan program mendidik bayi berkomunikasi dengan menggunakan bahasa isyarat.
"Sebelum ini, bayi mengekspresikan diri mereka melalui kesan emosi seperti gelak ketawa atau tangisan.
"Adakalanya, ini menyukarkan kita memahami apa yang bayi inginkan, minat atau rasa," ujar Solomon.
BabySigns, katanya, mengajar kanak-kanak yang tidak mengalami masalah pendengaran bahasa isyarat yang berdasarkan kepada program Bahasa Isyarat Amerika (ASL).
ASL digunakan dalam kalangan individu yang mengalami masalah pendengaran di Amerika Syarikat.
Menceritakan tentang latar belakang BabySigns, Solomon berkata: "Pada tahun 1982, pakar perubatan, Dr. Linda Acredolo dan Susan Goodwyn mendapati bayi mampu menggunakan isyarat tangan secara spontan untuk mewakili ayat yang tidak mampu mereka suarakan.
Mereka akan menghidu untuk 'bunga' atau mengepakkan tangan di sisi badan sebagai tanda 'burung'. Kedua-dua doktor berkenaan berfikir, bagaimana sekiranya ibu bapa membantu dalam proses tersebut.
Sehubungan itu, lahirlah program BabySigns, bahasa isyarat semula jadi yang membenarkan bayi dan ibu bapa berkomunikasi dengan menggunakan isyarat ringkas untuk perkara-perkara penting seperti lapar atau dahaga, haiwan, emosi dan rasa.
"Melalui penyelidikan yang kebanyakannya ditaja oleh Institut Kesihatan Kebangsaan selama dua dekad, Acredolo dan Goodwyn telah menunjukkan bahawa program tersebut mempunyai pelbagai manfaat besar kepada bayi dan ibu bapa," kata Solomon.
Katanya, banyak yang ingin diperkatakan oleh bayi, sungguhpun mereka masih belum mampu untuk berkata-kata.
Walaupun demikian, Solomon berkata, kebolehan bayi berbahasa isyarat bergantung kepada apa yang telah diajar oleh ibu bapa.
"Tetapi ada kalanya, bayi akan membentuk sendiri bahasa isyarat mereka dan ibu bapa harus peka apa yang bayi mereka 'katakan'."
Solomon menggalakkan pengajaran tanda isyarat tangan yang digabungkan dengan percakapan bermula sejak lahir lagi.
Bercakap sambil berisyarat kata Solomon akan mendedahkan kanak-kanak dengan perkataan.
"Sungguhpun bayi tidak memahami sepenuhnya apa yang diperkatakan, tetapi dengan terus mengajar mereka, lama-kelamaan mereka akan berjaya.
"Ingin kami tekankan bahawa progres setiap bayi adalah berbeza," katanya yang melibatkan Shawn dalam program BabySigns pada usia 10 bulan.
Dengan kesungguhannya mengajar Shawn berbahasa isyarat, kanak-kanak yang kini berusia setahun itu mampu melakukannya dalam masa hanya dua bulan.
Sehubugan itu, Solomon merasakan usia tiga bulan merupakan waktu yang sesuai untuk memperkenalkan program BabySigns kerana pada peringkat itu, bayi lebih sedar dan masih belum mampu bergolek atau merangkak.
"Mereka memberikan tumpuan kepada anda. Namun demikian, bayi yang lebih berusia akan lebih cepat 'tangkap' apa yang ibu bapa ajar."
Mengulas manfaat program BabySigns, Solomon berkata: "Daripada segi perkembangan kognitif dan bahasa, manfaat lain adalah mengurangkan tangisan, perasaan marah dan putus asa antara kanak-kanak dan ibu bapa, membenarkan orang dewasa berkongsi dunia dengan si kecil, mengukuhkan ikatan antara anak dan ibu bapa, meningkatkan keyakinan diri anak, memudahkan pembelajaran bertutur dan merangsang perkembangan intelektual."
Program BabySigns, ujar Solomon, akan menggalakkan komunikasi proaktif antara dua pihak.
"Contohnya, sekiranya bayi tidak berbahasa isyarat, mereka akan menangis dan menunjuk sesuatu yang ada kalanya orang dewasa tidak memahami apa yang cuba mereka sampaikan.
"Melalui isyarat, bayi-bayi akan memulakan satu perbualan dan ibu bapa akan memberikan respons bercakap dengan mereka. Ini akan menambahkan kegembiraan kanak-kanak dan menggalakkan mereka berkomunikasi," katanya.
Mengakui antara perkara yang merunsingkan ibu bapa adalah sama ada program tersebut akan melembapkan anak-anak mereka untuk bercakap, Solomon menjelaskan: "Hakikatnya, program BabySigns itu bukan untuk melambatkan tetapi sebenarnya membantu mereka bercakap.
"Ia seperti kanak-kanak yang merangkak sebelum berjalan. Jadi, mempelajari bahasa isyarat akan menambahkan motivasi mereka untuk bercakap."
Ini katanya dibuktikan oleh satu kajian pada tahun 1980-an yang dijalankan oleh Acredolo dan Goodwyn yang menunjukkan manfaat program itu dalam perkembangan bahasa termasuk apabila kanak-kanak berusia dua tahun yang mengikuti program BabySigns menunjukkan perbendaharaan kata yang lebih besar berbanding kanak-kanak yang tidak mengikuti program tersebut.
Solomon yang merupakan instruktor bertauliah bebas antarabangsa yang pertama untuk program BabySigns di Malaysia berkata, program tersebut bukanlah sukar untuk diajar atau dipelajari bagi ibu bapa dan anak-anak mereka.
"Sebenarnya, bahasa isyarat adalah satu perkara yang semula jadi dan terbentuk daripada apa yang sememangnya diamalkan sejak sekian lama.
"Ini boleh dilihat dalam tanda isyarat melambai untuk 'bye-bye' atau mengangguk (ya) dan menggelengkan kepala (tidak). Ia seperti juga penggunaan tangan dan riak muka ketika menyanyikan lagu-lagu kanak-kanak.
Berdasarkan model ini, program BabySigns, kata Solomon lagi, membantu dalam apa yang telah pun dilakukan secara semula jadi.
"Pada mulanya, bayi-bayi ini akan mengetahui satu perkataan dan lama-kelamaan, mereka mampu menghubungkan satu perkataan. Seperti Shawn, perkataan pertamanya adalah more (lebih banyak). Kemudian, pada suatu hari ketika di pasar raya, dia berisyarat more biscuits atau lebih banyak biskut.
Antara isyarat yang diajar kepada peserta termasuklah haiwan, emosi, waktu, ibu dan bapa serta objek seperti bola dan buku.
Sehubungan itu, BabySigns Malaysia menawarkan bengkel ibu bapa yang direka untuk membimbing penjaga tentang bagaimana menggunakan program BabySigns di rumah.
Ia juga menawarkan kelas Sign, Say and Play yang merupakan enam siri kelas interaktif dan menyeronokkan yang membolehkan ibu bapa dan bayi mereka belajar bahasa isyarat dalam persekitaran yang santai dan penuh sokongan.
"Di samping itu, kami juga menawarkan rangkaian produk yang komprehensif bagi membantu proses pembelajaran bayi seperti buku-buku, DVD dan sumber lain yang menjadikan pembelajaran bahasa isyarat menyeronokkan dan mudah untuk semua.
Terbaru, BabySigns Malaysia menawarkan kursus latihan kepada pendidik peringkat awal kanak-kanak.
"Seorang instruktor bertauliah bebas akan datang ke pusat-pusat terlibat untuk menunjukkan cara tentang bagaimana menggunakan sumber-sumber yang ada.
"Terdapat tiga aras latihan untuk dipilih. Kesemuanya menunjukkan bagaimana guru-guru boleh menggunakan program BabySigns dalam bidang perkembangan bahasa, emosi, sosial, fizikal dan kognitif dalam kurikulum pembelajaran sedia ada," kata Solomon.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
From a very delighted mom....
From Hanizawati, mommy to Hambali, 10 months
Our family loves the Baby Signs(R) Program. It is not just a way to communicate with our soon to be 10-month old baby but it's a game to our 5 year old boy too. Additionally, my elder boy is learning ABC signing which I know by heart.
We started off with words like :- Papa, Mama, Milk (Nenen), Sleep, More, Lion, Where, Come, Eat, Bye-Bye, Play, Love (Sayang) & Cannot.
Hambali signed 'Milk' at 7 months + for a month, signed 'Bye-bye' at 9 months & I think he signed 'Eat' to his Grandma yesterday and though Grandma was unsure he stopped making a fuss once he was fed. For the rest of the words, he understands what they are. He is also already saying 'Papa' & 'Mama' clearly....not just mumbling and knows who he is calling.
Currently, we're adding more words like:-'Book', 'Car', 'Moon', 'Fan', 'Bird', 'Cat',' Butterfly' & 'Water'
Our family loves the Baby Signs(R) Program. It is not just a way to communicate with our soon to be 10-month old baby but it's a game to our 5 year old boy too. Additionally, my elder boy is learning ABC signing which I know by heart.
We started off with words like :- Papa, Mama, Milk (Nenen), Sleep, More, Lion, Where, Come, Eat, Bye-Bye, Play, Love (Sayang) & Cannot.
Hambali signed 'Milk' at 7 months + for a month, signed 'Bye-bye' at 9 months & I think he signed 'Eat' to his Grandma yesterday and though Grandma was unsure he stopped making a fuss once he was fed. For the rest of the words, he understands what they are. He is also already saying 'Papa' & 'Mama' clearly....not just mumbling and knows who he is calling.
Currently, we're adding more words like:-'Book', 'Car', 'Moon', 'Fan', 'Bird', 'Cat',' Butterfly' & 'Water'
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Baby Signs(R) Program featured in the Malay Mail
Signs of the Times
by Angie Tan
Saturday, April 11, 2009
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: When Jamie Solomon had her first child, she wanted a home-based job to be able to spend more time with her son, Shawn. But leaving a steady career after working in the corporate world for about seven years seemed a bit daunting. She knew she needed to be more than just a stay-home mum.
Eight months later, she discovered the Baby Signs Program in the United States, which allowed her to communicate with her toddler through "baby sign language" using simple and easy-to-do gestures.
“The experience of signing with Shawn was so rewarding I wanted to share it with other parents. I found the programme to be attractive, plus no one was doing it in Malaysia,” said Solomon. She eventually started Baby Signs Malaysia in mid-2007.
The soft-spoken mum did everything herself from the website design to teaching signing classes. She is also the first International Independent Certified Instructor for the Baby Signs Program in Malaysia.
By 2008, she incorporated Baby Signs Malaysia Sdn Bhd, of which she is the director. Currently, the 33-year-old has four certified instructors in Klang Valley and another in Kota Kinabalu.
“All of our instructors have signed or are signing with their young ones at home," she said.
Solomon admits that competition is stiff as there are so many different classes and programmes a parent can send their child to: “Parents today are spoilt for choice, but having said that, they are also more receptive,” she said, explaining that it was the older generation that found it tough to accept signing.
“For some, it’s pantang (taboo). Why would you want to teach your child sign language when they do not have a hearing impairment?" Changing people’s perception towards signing, she added, was one of the challenges.
“Signing actually makes it easier to teach your child. For example, in a family where your maid speaks Malay, the grandparents converse in their own mother tongue and the parents speak English, signing breaches the language barrier.
“The best time to teach your toddlers to sign is when they are a newborn to two and a half years old,” said Solomon, who started signing with Shawn when he was eight months old. “It is best to start as early as possible but having said that, toddlers cannot sign at such an early age as their motor skills have not fully developed.”
Today, at three and a half years old, Shawn has forgotten most of the signs he learnt, but is eager to pick it up again because his little brother, 10-month old Robin, has started signing.
According to Solomon, Shawn looks at it as a game but overall, siblings are a good influence.
“Your child has to understand first, so you need to be more patient. Starting early gives parents the time for practice. It’s something that you need to get used to. When will you see results? I can’t say for sure. The earliest is when the child is seven months and even if the toddler starts at 12 months old, it’s also normal.”
What about fears that a toddler might rely solely on signing instead of learning how to talk?
“On the contrary," Solomon said. "Using signs actually makes it easier for babies to learn how to talk. Signing exposes them both to talking and signing. When you sign to your child, you are also talking at the same time. Some toddlers are more visual, they learn faster that way. Eventually, you won’t need to wean your child off signing. It’s a natural progression. In my case, Shawn dropped a lot of his signs in order to talk when he was around 18 months old.” Kids, she said, do want to communicate with their parents and when they can’t, they can get frustrated and even aggressive: "They just want to be able to express themselves.”
Solomon conducts classes such as the Sign, Say & Play class and workshops, such as the Potty Party to help train up both parents and children. The class takes place for six weeks and lasts about 45 minutes per session. It may seem short to an adult, but children have have shorter attention spans.
I sat in one of the classes, which happened to be all about "The Zoo". Solomon not only signed, she told stories and sang ditties about animals one might find in zoos. She also brought along toys to represent each animal.
Concept items (basically the toys and the puppets) were important as they helped the child to relate with what was being signed and said. “Our classes are a great way to introduce the signs. It makes it fun for the child, but it is more for parents to help them in their parenting role,” she said.
“It is for them to learn the signs, the activities and songs so they can teach their child. The real teacher here is the parent as repetition is important. From the child’s point of view, it is like a play class and the interaction helps them improve their motor skills,” she added.
I managed to catch up with first-time parents at the workshop Chubby Lee and his wife, Nanthana Chalermsuwan. The Lees were there with their one-year-old toddler, Chiramate Lee Ming Tim.
“We did our own research and found out that children consume the most during the first two years of their life," Lee said. "So we started scouting to look for a suitable educational programme. My kid actually likes to play with other children but how often can I bring him to see his cousins? So, one of the requirements in looking for a programme was one that would allow my kid to interact with other children. “Plus, Baby Signs was basic enough for my kid and was more like play time for him. He has started signing to us and although he may have picked up just three or four signs out of the Baby Sign's 100, it is a good start. We teach him our own signs too.
“When he first signed to us, it was very emotional. We got goose bumps and it was just exciting to see him learn something new,” added Lee.
The six-week class costs RM500, of which RM275 is for the learning kit. Baby Signs Malaysia also conducts out other fun and free activities such as story telling sessions at bookstores around town.
To find out more about the demo workshops, classes and other activities, check out Baby Signs Malaysia at www.babysignsmalaysia.com.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sign, Say & Play(R) Class
Our next Sign, Say & Play(R) Class will commence on 18th April, 1pm in Kizsports, Bangsar Village.
If you have not signed up and would like to, simply complete our On-Line Registration Form.
We are running and early bird discount. If you sign anytime between 4th April to 11the April, you will be entitled to a 10% discount, bringing your fee down to RM450.
Hurry, limited places.
If you have not signed up and would like to, simply complete our On-Line Registration Form.
We are running and early bird discount. If you sign anytime between 4th April to 11the April, you will be entitled to a 10% discount, bringing your fee down to RM450.
Hurry, limited places.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)