Thursday, May 15, 2008

My first press release!


Local classes teach parents in North Carolina how to use American Sign Language with infants and young children in order to encourage early communication, increased IQ, and early reading!
Source: Learn and Grow Together
May 14, 2008 00:44:16
Click to see PDF Version of this Press Release





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – May 14, 2008 – Recently, parents, caregivers, and childcare professionals have started using sign language to communicate with preverbal infants. Signing with babies is gaining popularity because it empowers children with early communication skills and helps to significantly reduce frustration. 


Local classes teach adults in North Carolina how to use American Sign Language with infants and young children. Signing with pre-verbal hearing babies is one of the most fascinating and fastest growing parenting trends in North America. American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most commonly used language in the United States and its popularity is growing! 


Rebecca Marsch is the founder and owner of Learn and Grow Together, based out of Morrisvlille, North Cariolina, and certified Wee Hands baby, toddler, and preschool sign language instructor. Learn and Grow Together provides workshops, classes, and personal instruction in the NC Triangle and surrounding areas designed to introduce American Sign Language (ASL) to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers as well as their parents, care givers and family members. 


Studies show that using American Sign Language with infants and toddlers can help to reduce frustration, strengthen the parent-child bond, enrich children's literacy and speech & language development, boost vocabulary, increase self-confidence, and stimulate intelligence. Children with special needs also benefit from the gift of ASL, allowing them to communicate in a meaningful way. 


Rebecca has her degree in Early Childhood Education and has 17 years experience with working with children from birth to preschool age. She also has 3 children of her own, ages 8, 5, and 1. From using signs, her 1 year old has a sign/spoken vocabulary of almost 100 words. 


A National Research Study has shown that using sign language with hearing babies and toddlers allows communication and spoken language to happen earlier and faster, while reducing frustration and tantrums. Most children have 2-3 words by 12 months, whereas, children who use sign typically have: 5 signs and 1 word by 8 months! and 25 signs and 16 words by 12 months! Most children start combining words into 2 word sentences by 20 months, whereas children who sign typically do this by 11-14 months and some as early as 6 months, sometimes earlier! The typical non-signing, hearing child has 20-400 words by age 2.




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Proud Mama To
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Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Positive parenting idea of the day


Children, particularly young ones, need to be represented before various groups and institutions because they do not have the status or capabilities to do so themselves.  It is an important part of the job of parenting to connect children to these groups and individuals and to advocate on their behalf.




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Proud Mama To
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Harvey Karp coming to Durham!

DURHAM, NC -- When Corinna Page of Durham was pregnant, a friend gave her a copy of a book, The Happiest Baby on the Block, by pediatrician Harvey Karp. Page laid the book aside and forgot about it — until her daughter Cadence was born.


Read more here




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Proud Mama To
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Mom's gift to kids: 'No!'

Oprah

(Oprah.com) -- Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, host of a show on Oprah and Friends Radio, says we can't just blame kids for acting bratty or spoiled. Kids today, he says, are exhibiting a lot of anger because they feel neglected by parents who may put careers ahead of family.

Read more here



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Proud Mama To
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Monday, May 12, 2008

Published in NY!!


http://blog.syracuse.com/family/2008/05/guest_blogger_writes_about_pre.html#more


Of course, I was hoping for the paper lol, but this is close enough. It's good to have connections! (Though it was SUPOSED to be in April Laughing )



I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Sunday, May 11, 2008

My baby is 15 months old!!!

WOW I can not believe that Wyatt is already 15 months old. It seems like he was just born. I swear I was just holding my newborn baby boy in my arms and nursing him for the first time!! Now he has been nursing for 15 months and going strong.


Lilypie Breastfeeding PicLilypie Breastfeeding Ticker
I am so amazed at his progress daily. He is learning more words and sentences, signs and how to do things. He figures out everything so quickly, that we have to constantly keep him entertained. He is always happy and LOVES his big brother and sister...they are his favorite play things. 
He is going to miss his big sister when she goes to school in 3 months!! I don't know if he will know what to do with himself without her to play with and chase around...especially with having Nick home all summer!!
Happy 15 month birthday lil man!! 


I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here