Head Start and Early Head Start

Early Childhood Sign Language

Introducing sign language in early childhood education is not just a tool for communication; it’s also a pivotal mechanism for enhancing developmental processes in children. Below, I’ve outlined the pivotal reasons why sign language should be incorporated into early childhood environments:

1. Facilitates Early Communication:

  • Pre-Verbal Expression: Enables children to communicate before they can speak, reducing frustration.
  • Enhances Verbal Skills: Studies indicate children who use sign language often develop verbal skills earlier and have larger vocabularies.

2. Promotes Cognitive Development:

  • Memory Improvement: The use of both verbal and non-verbal communication enhances memory and recall.
  • Intellectual Development: Children exposed to sign language often show superior spatial skills, literacy, and overall IQ scores.

3. Social and Emotional Benefits:

  • Emotional Expression: Allows children to express their feelings even if they can't articulate them verbally.
  • Bonding: Facilitates a deeper connection between educators, parents, and children.
  • Empathy: Children become more aware of the feelings and needs of others.

4. Inclusion and Diversity:

  • Accessibility: Inclusive for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Cultural Awareness: Exposure to sign language fosters understanding and respect for the Deaf community and culture.

5. Behavior Management:

  • Reduces Frustration: When children can sign their needs, there is often a decrease in tantrums and negative behaviors.
  • Enhances Classroom Management: Clear signals can be used to manage classroom transitions and routines smoothly.

6. Visual and Kinesthetic Learning:

  • Engages Multiple Senses: Supports varied learning styles through visual and tactile engagement.
  • Active Participation: Encourages children to be physically involved in the communication process.

7. Academic Advantage:

  • Literacy Development: Exposure to signing aids in the development of literacy skills, as children can visualize the concept associated with the word.
  • Bilingual Advantage: Learning sign language is akin to being bilingual, providing cognitive and academic advantages later in life.

8. Boosts Confidence:

  • Self-Esteem: Being able to communicate effectively boosts children's confidence and self-esteem.
  • Autonomy: Allows children to have a sense of control and independence in expressing their needs and wants.

Expert Consensus:

Many child development specialists and educators advocate for the introduction of sign language in early childhood settings due to the myriad of developmental, cognitive, and social benefits it offers. Engaging with signing at a young age lays a strong foundation for a child's educational journey, fostering a conducive environment for learning, interaction, and personal development.

Conclusion:

Incorporating sign language in early childhood education is an invaluable investment in the holistic development of children. Its benefits extend far beyond communication, positively impacting cognitive, social, emotional, and academic domains, thus providing children with a robust set of skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Welcome Early Childhood Educators for Head Start / Early Head Start use our program to:

  • Improve CLASS TM Scores
  • Enhances and Promotes School Readiness
  • Use for teaching young children social emotional learning
  • Enhances and Promotes Learning in our Migrant Education Programs
  • Bilingual / Our program is in English/Spanish/ASL

Note: In-kind donations available.

Time to Sign ASL for Early Childhood for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs provides sign language professional training for childcare providers, teachers and parents of young children, birth to five. We know that the first five years of a child’s life are the most significant when it comes to his/her ability to communicate effectively. That is why Time to Sign is dedicated to supporting effective and meaningful communication for all by teaching American Sign Language (ASL) in a fun and educational way.

Services Include - Live In-Person, Live Online Trainings, or Pre-Recorded Webinars:

  • Conference Speaker(s) 
  • In-service and Pre-service Trainings (Half Day, Full Day, Multiple Day)
  • Train the Trainer
  • On-site Trainings or Virtual Webinars
  • Parent / Family Programs
  • In-class Role Modeling, Coaching, and Mentoring
  • ASL for Early Childhood 
  • Social and Emotional Academic Learning
  • Understanding and Motivating Young Children: Brain Usage & Development and Communication Patterns

Topics Include:

  • Early Childhood Sign Language - Signing Fundamentals for Early Communication, Language and Literacy
  • Emotional Support
    • Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)
    • Let’s Communicate – Sign Language to Promote a Positive and Healthy Social Environment
  • Time to Sign for the Early Childhood Classroom - Time to Sign Enhances Classroom Learning and Behavior 
    • Ready, Set, Sign! – Sign Language for Classroom/Behavioral Management and Smooth Transitions
    • Back to the Basics – Create an organized Inclusive Environment
    • Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)
    • SOAR to Change Behavior (Solutions Outcome Based Actions and Resources)
  • ASL for the Classroom - Instructional Support
    • Sign to Read – Literacy, Phonics, and Story Telling the Fun Way!
    • Birth to Five – Sign Language for Teachers and Parents of Children Birth to Five
    • Parent Involvement
  • ASL for Early Childhood Resources - Time to Sign provides outstanding Early Childhood ASL Resources  - visit our website store at:  https://www.timetosign.com/products/category-17.html
  • ASL for Early Childhood Trainings - Time to Sign Provides Outstanding Early Childhood Educators Trainings:
  • ASL for Early Childhood Social Emotional Learning - Time to Sign Enhances Early Childhood Social Emotional Learning with training and resources - 
    • Teaching Social Emotional Learning to Young Children
    • Positive Preventive Skill Building Activities for Young Children
    • 100 Easy Ways to Promote Social Emotional Learning in Young Children
    • ASL to Enhance Social Emotional Learning of Young Children
  • ASL for Parents of Young Children - Time to Sign Provides ASL Resources and Training for the Home Environment
    • Knowledge of Family Wellness, Health, and Safety
    • Positive Nurturing Relationships Techniques that Support Child Learning, Behavior, and Social Emotional Development
    • How to Support Everyday Learning of Children in Their Homes, in the Program, and in Their Communities
    • Life Long Learning for Children and Their Parents
    • Enhancing Family, Peer, and Community Connections
    • How to Use a Picture Schedule for the Home Environment
    • Communication Languages for Your Child
    • Age Appropriate Developmental Milestones
    • Age Appropriate Signs and Activities
    • Understanding Our Four Brains and Their Development
    • The Importance of Learning through Play, via the Use of Songs, Games, and Stories
    • Picture Scheduling of Activities
    • Early Childhood Communication and Literacy Skills
    • And Much Much More! Click for the Families + Engagement + Workshop Flyer

Materials and Services can be Provided in Spanish / English / Sign.

Call (321) 726-9466 or Email Contact@TimeToSign.com for Details.

Feel Free to Check Out Our References!


Time to Sign Programs for Early Childhood Development & Learning

 

SAMPLE TRAINING OFFERINGS FOR EHS:

1. BabyTalk Boost: Sign Language Essentials for Infants & Toddlers!

Description:
This foundational course provides participants with crucial sign language skills tailored specifically for infants and toddlers. Focusing on daily communication needs, it covers essential signs that facilitate interactions and understanding between young children and caregivers.

Benefits:

  • Enhanced Communication: Empowers pre-verbal children to express their needs, reducing frustration and tantrums.
  • Early Language Acquisition: Lays the groundwork for verbal communication and early literacy skills.
  • Strengthened Bonds: Facilitates closer relationships between caregivers and children through effective communication.

Areas of Learning:

  • Basic daily routine signs
  • Food and comfort-related signs
  • Expression of basic emotions

2. Playful Palms: Engaging Sign Language Activities & Songs for Infants and Toddlers!

Description:
Delve into a world where learning meets fun! This training introduces an array of engaging activities and songs integrated with sign language, designed to make the learning process enjoyable for infants and toddlers.

Benefits:

  • Joyful Learning: Creates a playful learning environment using songs and activities.
  • Motor Skills Development: Activities and songs that incorporate signing aid in developing fine motor skills.
  • Language Enrichment: Enhances vocabulary and language comprehension in an interactive manner.

Areas of Learning:

  • Sign language songs and their applications
  • Hands-on activities for language development
  • Game-based learning strategies

3. Brainy Signs: Sign Language to Enhance and Nurture the Developing Brain

Description:
Explore the remarkable impact of sign language on cognitive development in early childhood. The training details how signing supports brain growth, improves memory, and enhances children's intellectual development.

Benefits:

  • Cognitive Development: Learn how signing supports neural connections and cognitive skills.
  • Memory Enhancement: Discover the role of sign language in improving retention and recall in young minds.
  • Intellectual Growth: Understand the long-term intellectual benefits offered by early exposure to sign language.

Areas of Learning:

  • The neuroscience behind sign language
  • Strategies for implementing signs to boost cognitive skills
  • Understand & learn signs through developmental milestones

4. Heartfelt Hands: Building Social-Emotional Intelligence Early with Sign Language

Description:
This training is designed to instill social-emotional competencies in children from a tender age through the use of sign language. It addresses emotional expression, empathy building, and the fostering of healthy relationships.

Benefits:

  • Emotional Literacy: Teaching children to identify and express feelings through signs.
  • Empathy Development: Understanding others’ emotions and building compassionate connections.
  • Healthy Relationship Foundation: Fostering skills for positive interactions with peers and adults.

Areas of Learning:

  • Signs for various emotions and feelings
  • Activities to teach empathy and understanding
  • Strategies for positive social interactions

5. Hands on Harmony: Classroom Management through Sign Language

Description:
This course unveils the potential of using sign language as a tool for effective classroom management. From getting attention to transitioning smoothly between activities, sign language can be a teacher’s best ally.

Benefits:

  • Smooth Transitions: Utilizing signs for seamless transitions and routines.
  • Attention Management: Effective techniques to capture and retain students’ attention.
  • Behavioral Improvement: Implementing signs that promote positive behavior and reduce conflicts.

Areas of Learning:

  • Classroom-specific sign language
  • Techniques for incorporating signs into daily routines
  • Strategies for positive reinforcement through signs