Class Schedule
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Email me for information on private group classes
Her personal interest and commitment to furthering her ASL skills led her to take evening classes taught by Deaf Instructors. This immersive experience began to shape her learning for this beautiful language and culture.
Pamela has been able to adapt her teaching methods to support various learning styles which have contributed to enhancing many community programs for adults with various abilities. She finds much fulfillment from receiving feedback that someone benefited from a workshop that her team or herself might have facilitated or learned that an individual reached their employment and/or personal goals.
Pamela noticed in many of the community programs which she worked in, there were always a small number of Deaf and non-verbal individuals who seemed unintentionally excluded from their hearing peer group and environment. Pamela would post visuals in attempt to make the surroundings more accessible, but soon realized developing other individuals ASL skills would build more of an inclusive environment. Her staff team and program participants were all excited to learn ASL and begin to adapt their communication to make the environment more inclusive for everyone.
Pamela’s passion to support the Deaf community has led her to work within a Deaf social service agency (Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf). Through her work she continues to build on her Deaf cultural experience while further developing her ASL skills.
Pamela has two loving and energetic children (a toddler and an infant). Her eldest son was 9 months old when he first showed his interest with ASL. As a young toddler he had many frustrations because he was still learning to form his verbal communication. This sometimes delayed his family’s understanding of his requests. Building his ASL skills and use of key word signing helped him strengthen his communication, build confidence and more importantly extinguish much of his frustrations. It is now more fun for him to use his ASL, he is always keen to learn more everyday signs to match his growing vocabulary. Her current infant son is beginning to reciprocate gestures and even has started to express himself with a couple ASL signs.
Having the opportunity to become a MSH Instructor is an exciting part of Pamela’s journey. Pamela is enthusiastic to support others enrich their ASL communication skills and foster important development for their little ones.
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
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!
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?
Some of the ASL vocabulary covered for this age group includes:
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!
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:
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!
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:
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.
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.
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.
Coming soon
Email me for information on private group classes