Time for the big kids (and some little kids) to go back to school! I wrote a little song and put it on YouTube to welcome the kids back to school. It helps them remember what they did this summer so they can talk about it! Feel free to send this to the teachers you know who might want to play it for their kids on their first day back to school.

I am now teaching After School ASL Sign Language classes to children 3 to 7 yrs. at Austin International School starting Sept. 5th. Class 1 is for 6 and 7 year olds (3:30 to 4:00 p.m.- $100) and Class 2 is for the 3 to 5 year olds (4:05 to 4:35 p.m. - $110). The price difference is due to teachers having to stay with the little ones until parents arrive for the 2nd class. 

This (and other after-school activities) are available to children who attend the school but also for those who don't so take advantage of this. There's still time to sign up online or by calling the school. Let them know I sent you please. 

To see all activities click HERE and to download the flyer for just the signing classes click HERE.

Be sure to also check out the new morning and afternoon classes for the babies below too in north Austin and near downtown.

Hope you all had a fabulous summer and fall 2014 here we come!

Happy Signing,

Tina

Independent Certified Baby SignsŪ Instructor

   and On the Grow™ Educator

Tina Recommends

Do you speak more than one language at home? Would you like your child to know multiple languages? There has been research for awhile that proves that very young children can learn languages much easier and faster than adults. It's fascinating to me that babies are born able to hear sounds from every language spoken around the world until they are about 12 months old. Then unless those sounds continue to be made by their caregivers, they will drop off and the child will only be able to hear the ones used continuously from that point on.

How can signing help? When a young baby hears different words for the same concept (i.e. milk and leche), they have to learn that both words refer to that white stuff in their bottle. By adding a sign to the mix so that the same visual symbol (sign) accompanies both words (milk and leche), the job of connecting the object with the meanings of both words becomes much easier.

When older children who can already talk take sign language classes, it still enhances their brains in ways we're only just beginning to understand. Young brains will adapt to multiple stimuli by organizing the neurons and pathways in a more efficient way so learning is easier. People who grow up knowing multiple languages are better multi-taskers than those who learned just one language. Many are also skilled at assessing a chaotic situation and figuring out what to do quickly. They are "big picture" people who make decisions fairly easily. In the ASL classes I teach the kids will discover a new way to learn to talk about things they already know (colors, friends, animals, weather, feelings, etc.). It's fun, easy and very interactive for them plus they get a bit of cultural diversity training at the same time.

With all of this said, if you want a school that offers an amazing array of activities and languages for your young child (Pre-K to 5th grade), have a look at Austin International School. Even children not attending the school can still participate in the after school activities. Click on the Extracurricular tab then After School Activities and prepare to have your mind blown. The teachers are all native-language teachers who know their stuff.

Coming Up Soon

Saturday, Sept. 13

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Northwest Recreation Center, 2222/Koenig Lane (near Mopac)

Baby SignsŪ by Tina C. will be at the Family Fun Fest and Diaper Drive

so bring some diapers and bring the kids for a fun Saturday event!

                           * Fun sessions for preschool and elementary school kids on

                              dance, music, art, science and more

                           * Sign Language story time with BeeBo™ the Baby SignsŪ bear

                           * Musicians, cooking demonstrations, giveaways

                           * Food trucks, bounce house and other treats

                           * MIX 94-7 radio station on site

Stop by my table and sign up to win the free play class drawing!

___________________________________________________

Story Time

Saturday, Sept. 27th, 11:00 a.m.

14010 Hwy. 183 (at Lakeline Mall)

We'll be learning the signs for farm animals!

Scheduled Classes

7906 Anderson Mill Rd.

Cost - $150 (includes take-home kit)

Location: Little Yoga House

1211 Parkway (between Enfield Rd. and Lamar Blvd.)

Cost - $150 (includes take-home kit)

See also the new classes for older children (3 to 7 yrs.) 

taught by Tina at the Austin International School (Note from Tina above).

Sibling Class - My Baby & Me (45-min. one-time class - $30)

Tummy Time Class (four 45-min. class series - $100)

Parent Workshop (90 minute evening workshop - $75)

Sign, Say & Play (six 45-min. class series - $150) - for babies/toddlers 8 to 14 months

More Sign, Say & Play (six-45-min. class series - $150) - for older toddlers who sign a little (14 - 24 months)

Find more detailed information about all classes under the Classes tab on main website:

Are you the parent of a baby or toddler and you are frustrated and overwhelmed because you can't understand what your child needs or wants?

Baby SignsŪ Instructor Tina Cavanaugh is here to help you break the communication barrier! With a few signs, babies as young as seven or eight months are able to express their needs, wants, feelings and even memories. Doing this strengthens the infant/parent bond early and gives your child a jump-start toward speaking and early literacy.

With 10 years of sign language training and five years teaching Baby Signs classes, Tina shows parents how to be amazed and thrilled over and over as their baby or toddler begins to share their world with them. Being involved in a process that builds confidence and good self-esteem early in children is huge and the stories that parents share with Tina about their success is pure joy for her.

The play classes go far beyond just learning a few signs. Parents go home with information about how their baby learns and develops intellectually and emotionally through those all-imporant first few years of their lives. Come join the fun that everyone's talking about!

Tina Cavanaugh

Connect with Tina....