Signing Time Instructors offer classes for children of all ages. These classes are ideal for children with Down syndrome and their parents because they:

• Focus on useful, high-interest signs
  Each Signing Time class features fun games, songs, and stories that work together to hold children’s interest. This helps them to get the repetition and practice they need to learn useful signs they can use every day.
• Offer great socialization opportunities
  Children who have Down syndrome often enjoy social interaction and play a great deal. Signing Time classes introduce them to signs they can use to interact with other children in the class – and with their family at home.

Sign up for a class today!

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When we received the diagnosis of Down Syndrome after my son Robert was born we were inundated with information.  One piece of advice that was given to us was to accept that he would not hit his milestones along with other children, but he would get there eventually on his own time. At 6 months of age he started at his Early Intervention Center, and they stressed the importance of sign language. We are so grateful that we started this right away. He was able to use signs before many of the other kids were talking. He could share with us when he wanted to “eat”, “drink”, or if he needed “more”. By signing we avoided many meltdowns that can occur when a child is not being understood.

Around the time Robert turned four, the first Signing Time DVDs were released. Before then, we only had one VHS tape that was geared towards adults. From the first moment of putting on “My First Signs” Robert was hooked.  He was immediately engaged by the music, colorful backgrounds and, most importantly, Leah and Alex. Here were kids, using sign language! I also enjoyed it as a Mom. Kids’ music can get a little silly, but Rachel has a knack for writing music that is enjoyable to parents.  “In A House” and “Shine” are two of my favorites.

Robert is now 12 and still using a combination of sign language, limited verbal words and a communication device to get his point across. He has spent his school years in a public school in a general education setting. We have been so fortunate to be at a school where they welcomed us in and let us teach his classmates sign language, starting in Kindergarten. Signing Time products have been a huge hit with the students. Robert loves to show his friends “Silly Pizza Song”. His friends love learning sign language along with him using the DVDs. I love that Signing Time keeps coming out with new products and keeps them to a theme!

Our family enjoys signing so much that at the beginning of the summer my youngest son, Max asked “Why don’t you teach sign language?”  I have thought of this over the years but once he mentioned it I logged on to Signing Time and much to my delight saw the posting for becoming a Signing Time Academy Instructor! By the end of the summer my “Starter Kit” arrived in the mail.  Robert could not contain himself. He thought the package was an early birthday/Christmas gift for him. To celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month I will be teaching my first class, starting on October 4th with my son Robert as my assistant.

Signing Time has made the process of learning a second language fun for all! I’m so glad this was introduced to us early on.

Sincerely,

Teri Voorhes

Mom to two wonderful boys Robert (12-DS) and Max (10-Asperger’s)

Pacifica, CA

See Rachel, Alex and Leah in North Carolina at the North Carolina Triangle Down Syndrome Network Buddy Walk

When: Sunday October 12th, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Rachel, Alex and Leah will be performing at 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Where: Brier Creek Community Park located at 10810 Globe Road, Raleigh, NC 27617.

Additional Information: Registration for the event is $15 for adults and $5 for kids. The registration fee includes Buddy Walk t-shirt, lunch and access to all entertainment. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Triangle Down Syndrome Network (TDSN), which supports individuals who have Down syndrome.

For more information and to register, visit: Triangle Down Syndrome Network

Keep scrolling to read some incredible stories about families in North Carolina who are excited to meet Rachel, Alex and Leah.

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We are back! Rachel made it safely and just in time to help deliver a baby! For those of you who don’t know what I am talking about, you can follow Rachel’s weekend adventure on her blog. She just installed twitter, where she can write little tidbits of her day.

Rachel has time to make Canolli's before WVDSA Buddy Walk

The Willamette Valley Down Syndrome Buddy Walk in Salem, OR was a huge success. If I had to estimate, I would say there were about 1,200-1,300 people at the event. All the children were so excited to see Rachel and had a chance to meet her before she performed.

Rachel performing at WVDSA Buddy Walk

We even had enough time to make canolli’s that someone heard were Rachel’s favorite treat.  The Salem Journal had a great spread in the newspaper, from pictures taken by Nathaniel (Nacho) Cordova, also announcing the Buddy Walk in tandem with the Salem Heights Elementary School visit and presentation with Rachel.

After the Buddy Walk, Rachel flew home to Salt Lake City to help deliver a baby and I flew to Denver. Rachel was unable to find a flight from SLC to Denver …but she got in a rental car with her husband and drove 8 hours to Denver to appear at the Oh Baby! Baby and Family Expo.

Her performance was touching as she related the experience she was having and how she knew there were people in Denver that needed to hear her message. It turns out, she was able to stick around for a little while after her presentation in Denver enough to sign autographs and take pictures. Then she ran to catch the next flight to Salt Lake City to hopefully make it in enough time to help her friend deliver a baby! Well, everyone….she made it!

The presentations were amazing…and it was so cool to meet children, families and friends who have benefited from Signing Time. Thank you to all of our fans who have made this possible. We will continue to post pictures from the event on our website under the community/photo album category in the next couple days.

Again, if you are interested in scheduling an event, please feel free to send an email to me at lindsey@signingtime.com with the subject ‘Rachel appearance.’

Just wanted to let all of you know that Rachel will be performing during the Willamette Valley Down Syndrome Association (WVDSA) Buddy Walk from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27th at the amphitheater located in Riverfront Park in Salem. Rachel will also be performing during a fund-raising concert to benefit the WVDSA. The concert will be held on Friday, September 26th at 6:30 p.m. at the Morningstar Community Church located at 4775 27th Ave SE.

Rachel and I will be there to meet you following each event. I also wanted to share a story of one little girl who learned sign language as a means to communicate, and is very excited to show off her signs for Rachel at the event.

Keep reading for more….

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