Learn Something NEW For Fall: American Sign Language for Kids by Rochelle Barlow

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book from Callisto Press, free of charge, for blog review purposes on this blog. No compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it, all opinions are my own


                              101 Easy Signs for Nonverbal Communication

Synopsis:

The easy way for kids (and parents) to learn American Sign Language.

There has never been a better way to start learning American Sign Language. Ideal for parents of nonverbal children or children with communication impairments (ages 3-6), American Sign Language for Kids offers a simple way to introduce both of you to ASL.

Build your vocabularies with 101 signs perfect for everyday use, all featuring detailed illustrations, memory tips, and hands-on activities. American Sign Language for Kids helps you focus on the types of words you need most with chapters conveniently divided by category. Get chatty with activities that guide you through conversations. You’ll be signing together in no time!

American Sign Language for Kids includes:

• 101 helpful signs—From family and feelings to meals and playtime, work with your child to master subjects that will help the two of you connect.
• Fun ways to practice—Discover enjoyable activities at the end of each section that make it exciting and engaging to learn signs and start conversing!
• Practical guides—Get useful advice for introducing signs to a child with autism, helpful primers on deaf culture, and more.

Discover an effective and meaningful way to deepen communication with your child—American Sign Language for Kids shows you the way.

Review:

I absolutely LOVE that this book starts out with explaining to you, the parent, and to your children, what ASL IS and isn't, including deaf community ettiquette and info on normal learning and hearing! It let's kids know that being deaf isn't being bundled into a box, but flourishing in your own community, the same as if you spoke any other language/were from another country! Kids generally don't comprehend this, so it is SO important for them to learn it!

As you can see, the book covers 101 signs that are the basic: family relationships, meals, everyday ocnversation, alphabet and numbers. These are what kids can use to start a conversation with anotehr deaf child. They may not get too far, but enough where they can be understood, and appreciated for trying! As you can see, each word is accompanied by an illustration showing how to make the sign, and if any movement is needed, that is also shown, like below.

On each page you also get a Memory Tip, to help you remember how to make the sign by equating it to something kids know. Then you also get info on variations, so your child can understand, where the same movement might mean something different. And lastly you also get a Teaching Tip, to help you teach the sign, even if you never have taught ASL before! All in all it's a very basic introduction to ASL, but perfect for younger kids AND adults/teens who want to sample it and see if it is something they want to learn. 

Many high schools now allow ASL in place of French or Spanish, and if you have a Dyslexic child, it might actually be EASIER for them to learn! And when you think about it, it is a very good skill to learn. There are not a lot of ASL trained speakers, so learning it could provide your teen with a service they could provide to local emergency services! This is a wonderful book and we highly recommend it!

About the Author:

ROCHELLE BARLOW began learning ASL as a very young child. Having taught at local community centers, private schools, and classrooms, Rochelle adores working with children with hearing loss, autism, and Down syndrome, as well as their families. She now runs her own business teaching ASL online at aslrochelle.com.