This post is by Joanna Smith of Surprise, AZ and is part of our Making a Difference series.

My family and I went to a Harlem Globetrotters game the other weekend in Phoenix.  At the end of the game we went down to meet the players.  I saw a mom and her approx. 8 year old boy signing to each other (way faster than I could even understand).  It appeared that they were both deaf.  I pointed them out to my 12 year old daughter (who learned to sign from Signing Time over the past four years).   I told her to go sign to him.  She was immediately nervous, but when I pointed out that she knew how to sign, “Did you like the basketball game?”, she wanted to try it out. She approached him and got his attention from a little ways away.

She signed to him,  “Did you like the basketball game?”
He looked completely shocked and signed back, “Yes.”
“Me too!” she replied.

The mom saw him sign to someone else and turned around to see who it was.  I smiled and waved at her and we left.   My daughter and I were so excited from this experience.  She had just had a conversation (brief as it was) with a stranger in a foreign language.  He probably didn’t even know about Signing Time.  It was a great witness to me that what I have been teaching my children for the past four years is a REAL LANGUAGE!!!

Due to our experience with Signing Time, an opportunity was created for my daughter to “talk” with someone with her hands.  It was AWESOME!!  There is a deaf lady that works as Target in our town.  I want to take all of my kids there to practice their signing with her.  I bet she would love it.

It’s Tuesday… here’s your sign of the week!

This Week’s Featured Sign: Sun

Watch the Video (Click the Image Below to Play) Free QuickTime Player required

Download the Flashcard (click on the image. Print in color or black-and-white and adjust the print size according to your needs.)

This week’s sign comes from:

Baby Signing Time Volume 3 – A New Day

Created specifically for babies as young as 3 months old up to 3 years, yet fun for the whole family! Features host Rachel Coleman, along with animated Baby Alex, Baby Leah, and Baby Hopkins. Baby Signing Time Vol. 3: A New Day sets your baby’s day to music with signs for everyday things in your baby’s world: nature, weather, following directions, and more.

Buy Now

Carissa Martos, Master Signing Time Academy Instructor has teamed up with the Signing Time Foundation to present Emmy Nominated Rachel Coleman live in Portland, OR!

When: April 2nd
1:30 pm

Where: Franklin High School
5405 SE Woodward Street
Portland, OR 97206

Purchase Tickets Now
Adult Tickets-$10
Children’s Tickets-$5
VIP Adults-$20
VIP Children-$12.50
Ticketing Support 1-800-838-3006

Additional Information: VIP tickets provides prefered early seating and a entrance into the VIP meet and greet before the show.
General Admission Seating starts @ 1pm

Website:
www.signingtimefoundation.org/portland

Here’s your sign of the week!

This Week’s Featured Sign: Candy

Watch the Video (Click the Image Below to Play) Free QuickTime Player required

Download the Flashcard (click on the image. Print in color or black-and-white and adjust the print size according to your needs.)

Signing Time Volume 3 – Everyday Signs

Alex, Leah, and host Rachel Coleman teach ASL signs for the things you see, do and experience every day. Created for ages 1-8 but enjoyed by all! Available only on DVD. Close-Captioned. Approximate run time: 30 minutes, plus special features. Everyday Signs includes the following original songs, written by Rachel Coleman: Silly Pizza Song, Rainy Day, Good Night Baby, Proud to Be Me, Proud to Be Me, (DJ Lex “Tree House Mix”)

Buy Now

Christine Fitzgerald, Master Signing Time Academy Instructor has teamed up with the Signing Time Foundation to present Emmy Nominated Rachel Coleman live in Burbank, CA!

When: March 26^th, 3:30 pm

Where: Luther Burbank Middle School
3700 Jeffries Avenue
Burbank, CA 91505

Tickets: Purchase Now
Adult Tickets-$10
Children’s Tickets-$5

Additional Information:
General Admission Seating starts @ 3:00 pm.
Signing Time Products will be available for purchase.

Websites:
www.wesignfamily.com
www.lasigningtimeacademyinstructors.com
www.signingtimefoundation.org

Support Hotline 1-800-838-3006