"As a mother, I find it absolutely fascinating to see my children grow and develop...smile, reach out, follow my voice, hug, play together, ask questions.... They are amazing." - Lora Heller,MS, MT-BC, LCAT, Founding Director of Baby Fingers
I have always loved being around babies and children. I started to baby sit when I was 11 years old, and always had a job teaching drama or music to kids. I saw "Children of a Lesser God" on Broadway as a child and was in awe of the sign language, how it was so beautiful and expressive as a language and as an art form. Later, as a teenager, I was a counselor at summer camp and met a deaf camper who taught me my first signs. I was hooked. When I went to college, I majored in music therapy and studied music in deaf culture... my bachelor's thesis was the creation and production of a musical play incorporating sign language and deaf actors. After working for a while with deaf students, I went on for my master's in deaf education where my thesis was a pilot program teaching sign language through music to hearing babies and toddlers. That was the basis to Baby Fingers, which I was inspired to develop when my son Ezekiel started to use signs as a baby. Below is a journal of my signing experiences with both my kids...

Ezekiel

Zeke 18 months
According to my records:
6+ months: First sign: "I love you" (My inspiration to develop Baby Fingers...)
10 months: Two-word phrase: "More music!"
One year: Understands over 100 signs; actively, consistently using 20 signs
13 months: Three-word phrase: "More crackers please!"
15 months: Understands at least 200 signs; actively, consistently using 50 signs. Expresses memory of events, i.e., passing by subway and signing "daddy train work" soon after saying goodbye to daddy at another subway station. His absolute favorite signs include: MUSIC, HOME, TOGETHER...Zeke's spoken language is really emerging now, though he continues to sign and speak much of the time.
At 21 months, Zeke's speech development is overwhelming, as was his sign language progress at 6+ months. He is so eager to talk on the phone, read books aloud, make up stories or share events of the day, talk to his friends, toys, or to himself.... He has command of at least 90 signs and 30 words; his ability to put ideas, thoughts, and concepts into complete sentences is so exciting! Sometimes he uses speech alone, and other times it is a combination of speech and sign; he rarely signs a full thought without talking anymore. However, Zeke signs to everyone around him, and is delighted when someone signs back! One day Ezekiel was so angry/upset that he couldn't get his words out and instead clearly signed to us through his tears--and we knew what he needed. What a wonderful tool to have!


Zeke 3 and Sian 1
Zeke, at two years old, still supports some of his communication with sign; he is now stringing together three- to five-word spoken sentences. The concept of using full sentences is not new to him as he was signing sentences by 12 to 15 months. He is now having fun doing so with his voice. He loves reminding us to stop at every driveway or garage and look out for the cars. It's such fun to hear him sing, tell stories, and ask questions! He loves to engage his baby brother Sian through kisses, signs and songs, stories... even beginning to share toys! At three, Zeke has held onto a few signs he uses now and then as emphasis to his spoken words. Others he uses at my request to show Sian, or at times of frustration. It's interesting to see the signs that were once approximations now expressed perfectly. He talks all the time! They are both learning Spanish at home as well, and the sign seems to bridge the gap between Spanish and English .


Zeke, 4+yrs, playing cello
3 1/2 yrs: Zeke isn't signing regularly anymore--but he still recognizes and understands many of the signs he had relied upon. It is extremely helpful for recall; when he can't think of the word he wants to use or doesn't know the meaning of something he hears in Spanish, I sign it to him and he can carry on! I'm hoping both the kids will have this language at their disposal as they continue on in life.
5 yrs: At a recent birthday party, Zeke--with his mouth full of pizza--silently signed "More please, mommy." He frequently asks me to teach him new signs for his developing (English) vocabulary, and finger spelling in ASL is helping him to write new words. Zeke's Kindergarten teachers incorporate some ASL in class.


SIAN, age 2 yrs+, "I Love You"

Ossian, at 4 months is focusing on my hands as I sign, looking from one hand to the other. He really tunes into our music at home as well. When he is fussy due to hunger, and I sign "milk," he immediately relaxes, knowing his needs will be met!
6 1/2 months: began clapping hands and later signed "more" several times during breakfast! Now at 7 months he responds to the "I Love You" sign by holding up his hand. And although he's not yet requesting milk, it looks like he's signing it while nursing. Praise and repetition at these times will help to establish the use of the signs!
At 8 1/2 months: Sian pushed his tray away during breakfast, looked at me, and signed "milk." Needless to say, he was very happy when I picked him up to nurse!! He is understanding more and more signs, though his favorite person to look at is Zeke! 9+months: signing "eat" when asked if he is hungry or wants to eat!
9 1/2 mos: Sian is signing "water," yet often signs "milk" when thirsty even if he wants water. He is also blowing kisses, which looks similar to his sign for water--we figure it out based on the context of the situation. Sian has been signing "more" and then pointing to what he wants...just recently, he signed "eat more"!!! WOW! It's all very exciting how once language starts, it just blossoms! Patience and consistency truly pay off.
At one year, Sian is imitating so many signs and later using them appropriately. He has added "daddy," "finished," "home," and signs "I love you" more consistently than before. He gives us and his friends hugs all the time, spontaneously and upon request. He also sings and "talks" a ton! Sian is walking (and dancing!), so watch out world!
13 months, now signing "banana," "bath," "tree," "dog,"..... He understands everything. Looking at one of his books, he saw a picture of an apple, signed "apple" and walked to the refrigerator to get one!

Fire Chief Sian
2 yrs old
20 months: It is so much fun to hear Ossian talking and to see new signs interspersed so he can communicate a complete thought or question! He has some key phrases all spoken, such as "Don't do that!" when Ezekiel is bothering him! He has dropped many signs for words he now says, such as banana and daddy; others he signs and says simultaneously such as milk, apple, book, more. Although he says "Agua" and "Hola," his Spanish vocabulary is mainly receptive. In the mornings when we say goodbye, he says mamma and signs work--then says "Bye mamma, love you" (w/I love you hand sign as well)! Sian is still expressing much of his (new) vocabulary through signs, though he tends to drop them sooner as the words come along. He is also imitating speech more spontaneously. He and Zeke have full conversations of their own--and the imaginary play we witness is extremely complex. Both boys still love to sing favorite songs in sign. What a joyful time!

At 3 yrs, Sian has a strong command of spoken language. He still understands Spanish and Sign, and has maintained a few select signs to emphasize his desires. Ossian had connected so strongly to his name sign--baby with the O hand shape. During morning circle in nursery last year, he discovered he is no longer a baby! He requested a new name sign! So, like Zeke's is the I Love You hand shape making a Z, Sian's makes an O. He still loves learning new signs.

More family photos:

Sian & Zeke Start School! Fall '04

   

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