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S I G N      B U D D I E S

Welcome to my "SIGN BUDDIES" web page. My name is Barbara Eck-Duchini.  I am the Director of Sign Buddies-Sign Language Classes for Families. Sign Buddies offers classes, playgroups and workshops for families with young children who wish to learn Sign Language. Our family used Sign Language with our two sons from the moment they were born.  My husband, Frank is Deaf and I am a teacher of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children.  I have seen how Sign Language has benefited our children who are both hearing.  Over the years I have taught many Sign Language classes to parents of Deaf babies.  I learned of Joseph Garcia and the Sign 2 Me Program.  After researching the program thoroughly, I decided to join the Presenters' Network.  I am now a certified presenter and offer classes for families of hearing babies. Research has shown time and time again that hearing babies who use Sign Language talk sooner and have larger vocabularies,  have stronger parent/child bonds, have less frustration, crying and tantrums, show more interest in books, engage in more sophisticated play, have increased IQ scores I think one thing you will find at Sign Buddies classes is that it is FUN! Sign Language classes are held for eight weekly sessions. Cost is $50.00 for a parent-child duo.   Playgroups are one hour sessions. Cost is 5.00 per session.  Workshops can also be arranged for day-care providers, parent groups and health care providers. I can also tailor the classes to fit your schedule and we can arrange four week and six week sessions. I am State Licensed and Certified. Sign Buddies is located in Erie, PA and I will travel within a 50 mile radius. My "On Request" Classes can supplement your playgroup with a Sign Buddies class. Get together with some of your friends and their babies! The classes are flexible and I can arrange the sessions and topics to accomodate your interests and schedule.   For more information on current classes or to request a brochure or arrange a session call 814-864-3570 or e-mail [email protected]   Class Schedule: First Signs Snacks & Meals Bath & Body Clothes & Dressing Favorite Animals Family Play Time Nature and Outdoors -Or- a topic of your choosing! Family Sign Language Class Classes offer parents, grandparents, care givers and teachers a way to enhance early communication with babies, and fun activities to stimulate speech and language in toddlers to preschoolers. Each class is taught through signing, songs, books and activities. Children are welcomed but not required at class. Classes run for 8 weeks and each class will cover a different topic such as “Animals’, “Playtime” and “Family” Beginning and Intermediate Sign Language Classes will introduce over 300 ASL signs. We will learn common phrases, ASL sentence structure, as well as information about the lives of people in the Deaf community including a typical Deaf club, national organizations of the Deaf, Deaf sports, sign language interpreters, regional variations in ASL signs, closed captioning, and Deaf humor. Classes will be arranged to accommodate those with previous Sign Language experience as well as the novice signer Click here for Lessons and class handouts Click here for the Registration Form       Here are some links for class participants:   Free Webcam or D-Link   Sign2Me® Reminder Series Placemats and Picture Cards The most requested signs for each area.  12.95 each http://northlightcommunications.com/store/

Sign with your Baby by Joseph Garcia

American Sign Language has been the Duchini families' first language.

Sign2Me Presenters' Network Level I Certification is an official acknowledgement of proficiencies and high professional standards.

Sign2Me is a highly respected company based in Seattle, WA.  The primary focus is to establish communication between hearing parents and their hearing children through the use of Sign Language.