PARENTS LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH PRE-VERBAL INFANTS
American speech therapist introduces U. S. parenting program to Ireland: Teaching Sign Language to Hearing Babies.
(PRWEB) January 6, 2003
Church Cottage, Rose Abbey
Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
Telephone: 353-21-4777466
Email: dianeryan@kindersigns. com
Website: http://www. kindersigns. com (http://www. kindersigns. com)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2003
CONTACT:
Diane Ryan, Speech and Language Therapist
KinderSigns Founder
PARENTS LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH PRE-VERBAL INFANTS
Dublin seminar introduces U. S. program to Ireland: Teaching sign language to hearing babies.
Kinsale, Ireland – Amanda is only 10 months old yet she can tell her parents when she is hungry, thirsty, or has a stomachache. How can she communicate at such an early age? Because her parents took things into their own hands – quite literally – and taught their hearing daughter sign language.
Since the early 1990Â’s, the number of parents in the United States who have learned to communicate with pre-verbal infants through sign language has skyrocketed. Interest has also spread throughout the U. K. and to other parts of the globe. Now, for the first time, parents in Ireland can also learn this innovative technique.
According to Diane Ryan, an American speech and language therapist now living in Kinsale, early communication is only one of the benefits that “baby signing” offers.
Baby Sign Language 2/3
“Research has shown us that babies who sign are less frustrated since they have a way of expressing their wants and needs. But even more remarkably, studies have proven that babies who are taught a few simple signs not only speak earlier than non-signers but have larger vocabularies and become better readers. It has to do with stimulating more synapses of the brain,” she said. “Signing babies have IQ’s that are 10-12 points higher.”
“Teaching a hearing baby to sign is a simple and natural process,” she added. “Signing is an extension of natural baby gestures. Parents only need to learn a few simple signs for babies to benefit.” For her Ireland “debut” Ryan has revised her American program to include authentic Irish sign language.
Ryan, whose speech therapy practice (KinderSigns) focuses solely on “baby signing,” has conducted numerous workshops and seminars for parents, educators and healthcare professionals throughout the state of Florida. In addition to serving as a guest lecturer at parenting and early childhood development conferences, she has also conducted in-service training for childcare professionals. Prior to moving to Kinsale from Orlando, Florida in September, she developed a website which offers extensive information on the topic along with supporting research. Online lessons for parents and childcare professionals are also available.
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Baby Sign Language 3/3
“Since I moved to Kinsale I have received a number of inquiries from Irish parents who discovered baby signing through my website and wanted to learn more. It motivated me to personally introduce the idea in this country.” Ryan said.
Ryan will offer two free informational seminars on the topic at Gymboree in the Stillorgan Plaza in Stillorgan at the end of the month. For those who wish to learn the actual baby signing technique, a how-to workshop will also be presented. Parents can learn all they need to know to sign with their baby in one session. The cost is €25 for a single parent or individual or €35 for both parents.
Ryan plans to offer additional seminars in Cork and in other major cities in Ireland throughout the year. Parent and professional groups interested in hosting a free seminar are encouraged to contact her at 021-4777466 or at dianeryan@kindersigns. com. Additional information is available at the KinderSigns website: http://www. kindersigns. com (http://www. kindersigns. com)
INFORMATIONAL SEMINARS (Gymboree, Stillorgan Plaza)
Wednesday, Jan 22 - 6:30 pm -7:30 pm
Thursday, Jan. 23 - 10 am-11:00 am
SIGN-WITH-YOUR-BABY WORKSHOP (Gymboree, Stillorgan Plaza)
(to learn actual technique)
Thursday, Jan., 23 - 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Price: €25 for a single parent or individual; €35 for both parents
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