Kat Dietrich

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Kat Dietrich

Having worked in the field of pediatric behavioral therapy for close to a decade with previous knowledge in ASL as the daughter of a legally deaf mother as well as having a bachelor’s degree focused in psychology, Kat brings a level of authentic compassion, knowledge, experience and understanding to families eager to learn and grow in their communication journeys.

As a type of healthcare professional assisting families with their little ones’ growth and overall development, Kat offers a perspective of care based in empathy, individualization, and functionality. With an atmosphere of fun, creativity, curiosity, and play based adventure, Kat assists others in advancing their own skills to better communicate and bond as a whole within the lessons taught.

Kat is passionate about the positive impact better communication skills give to families and how beneficial it is for our little ones to have ways to express their wants/needs to us. Together we can create better communication, better familial bonds, and better understanding one sign at a time. Kat looks forward to all classes to come and to meet you all soon.

Our classes

Imagine knowing what your baby wanted before he or she could talk?

You can easily learn baby sign language to connect with your child and their needs with the help of My Smart Hands.

Did you know that research shows preverbal infants can communicate through baby sign language before they start learning to verbalize their needs?

Some of the benefits of baby sign language:
• Early communication
• Reduced frustration
• Early language use
• Brain development
• Closer bond
• Boosts self-confidence

Take a class with us!

Each week you will learn themed signs such as everyday signs, food, animals, bedtime in a fun and educational way. Our classes are full of fun and energy and are filled will music, games, books and more!

My Smart Hands® Level I

These classes run in either 4-,8- or 10-week sessions. The 4-week sessions are run in 2 parts.In our classes, you will learn over 100 signs to use with your child. Classes are 45 minutes long and are created for parents/caregivers and babies. In a playful, educational and language-rich environment, caregivers and children will build their American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary through instruction, interactive games and songs. What will you be gaining from each class?

Learning recommended first signs
Discussing the benefits of using ASL with infants
Demonstrating easy techniques for successfully integrating signs into everyday life

Some of the ASL vocabulary covered for this age group includes:

Everyday words and food
Family and animals
Emotions and opposites
Bed time and play signs

All of our classes include a full-colour MSH® curriculum book with a CD of the songs we teach. The books have pictures of the signs learned along with descriptions for easy reference long after the class is over!

My Smart Hands® Level II

These classes are designed for graduates of the My Smart Hands® Level I class or for infants with basic ASL comprehension. Level II classes run in either 4-, 8- or 10-week sessions. In level II, you will learn over 120 signs to use with your child. Classes are 45 minutes in length. We will review signs learned in My Smart Hands® Level I and continue to build our signing vocabulary.

Weekly themes covered in more depth in Level II classes include:

People
Food
Animals
Emotions
Opposites
Weather
Colour signs

All of our classes include a full-colour MSH® curriculum book. The books have pictures of the signs learned along with descriptions for easy reference long after the class is over!

My Smart Hands® Level III

The Level III classes are designed specifically for preschoolers aged 3 to 5. The instructor teaches directly to the children, and parents and caregivers act as “teachers’ aides” during the class, helping the children with in-class songs and activities.

Children do NOT need to have taken Levels I and II to join this class; however, children who have gone through the first two Levels will be slightly ahead of children who haven’t taken them. These classes run in 8-week sessions. You will learn over 100 signs, as well as sing songs and read books not learned in Level I or II. Classes are 30-45 minutes in length.

Weekly themes covered in class include:

Life together
Shapes
Questions
Days of the week
Clothes
Community helpers
Places we go
Sports

Parent Workshops

These workshops are geared towards busy parents who are unable to take a full 8-week class. You can still learn how to enrich your child’s language development by increasing vocabulary and building self-confidence through the use of American Sign Language (ASL). You will learn recommended first signs and easy techniques for successfully integrating signs into everyday life.

This workshop is an introduction to the benefits of using ASL with your child. Children are not only auditory learners, they also learn visually and kinesthetically (through touch and experience). Using sign language with your child encompasses all learning styles. Your child will hear you when you say the word, then they will see you make the sign and will also experience and feel the word as they learn to sign.

Over 100 signs will be introduced. Fee includes a full-colour MSH® curriculum book.

Educator Workshops

These workshops are designed to give teachers the tools to incorporate American Sign Language (ASL) into their current school curriculum. As educators, we know that there are different types of learning styles in the classroom, including auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Using sign language in your program encompasses all learning styles.

The students will hear you when you say the word, then they will see you make the sign and will experience and feel the word as they learn to sign. These workshops are designed to suit the specific needs of the school, including adherence to curriculum guidelines and availability of resources. Teachers will learn about the research supporting the use of sign language in the classroom, and they will be provided with vocabulary specific to classroom use.

Class Policies

MAKE-UP CLASSES

If you miss a class, space permitting, you can attend a session in another scheduled class. Please note that the make up class may be offered at a different location and time than your regular class. Please contact me if you have any questions. If you miss the entire session, an entire make up course is unavailable. You can only make up the 1-2 classes you missed.

CANCELLATION

A class may be cancelled or postponed due to low enrollment, illness, location or other circumstance. Full refunds will be provided to all participants accordingly.

REFUND

Class registrations are non-refundable. If you would like to switch to another class before the session has begun, please contact your coordinator to discuss your options in your area. The fee to switch classes is $15 and it is only possible when space is available in another class.

SICKNESS

If your child has a fever, rash, vomiting, pink eye, or other signs that your child may be contagious, please do not bring them to class. The child should be seen by a physician to determine if he/she is contagious.