Once upon a Sign: Using American Sign Language to Engage, Entertain, and Teach All Children

There are a multitude of reasons to introduce hearing children to American Sign Language (ASL), currently the third-most-used language in the United States. Babies and young children who are taught basic signing typically have a stronger bond with their parents, young children who sign show increased self confidence and enthusiasm for learning, and studies have even shown significantly higher IQs as a result of using sign language.

Once Upon a Sign: Using American Sign Language to Engage, Entertain, and Teach All Children introduces readers to American Sign Language in the library and shows them how to use ASL. It contains suggested program ideas for infants and toddlers (and their parents), as well as suggestions for school-age children, 'Tweens, and even teens. By showing librarians and other educators how to integrate American Sign Language into their lapsit, preschool storytime, and `tween/teen programs, this text will benefit not only the hearing children that constitute the majority of patrons, but also help hearing impaired and deaf children feel welcome and appreciated in the library.

Kim Taylor-DiLeva, MSEd and MLS, is an educational trainer, teacher, and owner of Kim's Signing Solutions and www.babysignlanguageonline.com. Taylor-DiLeva conducts workshops for parents, teachers, and librarians throughout the United States and lives in Albany, NY.