Baby and Toddler Online Professional Development Series Starts January 25!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series 3: Babies and Toddlers (6-webinar series)
Wednesdays, January 25 to March 1, 2023 from 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/10-11 AM Central/9-10 AM Mountain/8-9 AM Pacific
Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions though November 21, 2022.
Join us for weekly interactive workshops that teach basic American Sign Language vocabulary and demonstrate how to use the signs in storytime activities and the early childhood classroom. This series will focus on vocabulary and best practices for baby and toddler programs. Each session will focus on specific thematic vocabulary: Getting Started, Playtime Signs, Mealtime Signs, Diaper and Potty Signs, Safety Signs, Our Signing Day.
Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.
Little Hands and Big Hands, 2nd edition release and FREE online program
Releasing today from Hands Up Press:
Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together, second edition
by Kathy MacMillan
Photography by Kristin Brown
Research shows that using American Sign Language with young children can
- reduce frustration for both caregiver and child
- increase IQ
- stimulate language learning
- enhance bonding
- raise a child’s self-esteem
- improve everyday life and communication!
Little Hands & Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together offers solid background information on signing with children ages birth to six, along with hands-on games, fingerplays, songs, and more that caregivers, librarians, and educators can use to smooth transitions, calm a fussy child, or engage a stubborn one. Each activity is accompanied by photos of the relevant signs.
“Author and ASL educator Kathy MacMillan has brilliantly combined the world of ASL with early literacy activities…Explanations and research support are seamlessly woven into each activity…I highly recommend this resource to anyone working with children from birth to age six.” -Betsy Diamant-Cohen, creator of the award-winning Mother Goose on the Loose early literacy program
Pre-order now from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore (autographed copies that support a great cause!) | amazon.com | barnesandnoble.com | bookshop.org
Join the author for an online book launch event for all ages:
Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together, 2nd edition
Online Book Launch Event with Kathy MacMillan
Thursday, January 12, 2023
6:00 pm Mountain Standard Time
Hosted by Clearview Library District
Sign, sing, read, and play together in this online storytime for all ages! American Sign Language interpretation and automatic captioning will be provided.
Register now!
Autographed copies of the book may be purchased here, with all proceeds supporting Deaf Camps, Inc.’s scholarship program. To request personalization, email deafcampsinc@gmail.com.
New edition of Little Hands & Big Hands: Children & Adults Signing Together
Coming January 10, 2023 from Hands Up Press:
Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together, second edition
by Kathy MacMillan
Photography by Kristin Brown
Research shows that using American Sign Language with young children can
- reduce frustration for both caregiver and child
- increase IQ
- stimulate language learning
- enhance bonding
- raise a child’s self-esteem
- improve everyday life and communication!
Little Hands & Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together offers solid background information on signing with children ages birth to six, along with hands-on games, fingerplays, songs, and more that caregivers, librarians, and educators can use to smooth transitions, calm a fussy child, or engage a stubborn one. Each activity is accompanied by photos of the relevant signs.
“Author and ASL educator Kathy MacMillan has brilliantly combined the world of ASL with early literacy activities…Explanations and research support are seamlessly woven into each activity…I highly recommend this resource to anyone working with children from birth to age six.” -Betsy Diamant-Cohen, creator of the award-winning Mother Goose on the Loose early literacy program
Pre-order now from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore (autographed copies that support a great cause!) | amazon.com | barnesandnoble.com | bookshop.org
Join the author for an online book launch event for all ages:
Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together, 2nd edition
Online Book Launch Event with Kathy MacMillan
Thursday, January 12, 2023
6:00 pm Mountain Standard Time
Hosted by Clearview Library District
Sign, sing, read, and play together in this online storytime for all ages! American Sign Language interpretation and automatic captioning will be provided.
Register now!
Autographed copies of the book may be purchased here, with all proceeds supporting Deaf Camps, Inc.’s scholarship program. To request personalization, email deafcampsinc@gmail.com.
Winter/Spring 2023 Webinars Open for Registration
Please feel free to share the information and coupon codes below with your colleagues! Discounted group rates and direct invoicing available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for details.
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Winter Signs (1 hour webinar)
Friday, January 13, 2023 at 11 AM Eastern/10 AM Central/9 AM Mountain/8 AM Pacific
Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for though February 14, 2023.
Learn basic American Sign Language for winter storytimes in this interactive online session!
Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.
Hands Up: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner)
Tuesdays, January 24-February 28, 2023, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/9 AM-10 Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific
Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through March 29, 2023.
Learn and practice American Sign Language for library settings in this interactive series.
Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form. Group rates available.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-live-asl-practice-for-library-staff-beginner-registration-440678369867
Hands Up! Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Review Series)
Tuesdays, January 24-February 28, 2023 from 2:30 PM-3:30 PM Eastern/ 1:30 PM-2:30 PM Central/ 12:30 PM-1:30 PM Mountain/11:30 AM-12:30 PM Pacific.
Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week)
Review and practice your ASL for the library setting in these interactive sessions! This series will focus on review and deep practice of vocabulary and concepts introduced in the Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff Beginner and Intermediate series and in the ALA eCourse ASL for Library Staff, level 1. Recording access will be available through 30 days after the final session.
Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.
Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/484377846177
Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series 3: Babies and Toddlers (6-webinar series)
Wednesdays, January 25 to March 1, 2023 from 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/10-11 AM Central/9-10 AM Mountain/8-9 AM Pacific
Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions though November 21, 2022.
Join us for weekly interactive workshops that teach basic American Sign Language vocabulary and demonstrate how to use the signs in storytime activities and the early childhood classroom. This series will focus on vocabulary and best practices for baby and toddler programs. Each session will focus on specific thematic vocabulary: Getting Started, Playtime Signs, Mealtime Signs, Diaper and Potty Signs, Safety Signs, Our Signing Day.
Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.
Hands Up: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Intermediate)
Tuesdays, March 21 to April 25, 2023 from 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific
Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through May 26, 2023.
Practice and gain confidence in your American Sign Language skills for library settings in this interactive series.
Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form. Group rates available.
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Spring Signs (1 hour webinar)
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11 AM Eastern/10 AM Central/9 AM Mountain/8 AM Pacific
Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for though April 30, 2023.
Learn basic American Sign Language for spring storytimes in this interactive online session!
Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.
Hands Up: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner)
Wednesdays, March 29-May 3, 2023 from 1 PM-2 PM Eastern/ 12 PM-1 PM Central/ 11 AM-12 PM Mountain/10 AM-11 AM Pacific
Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through June 4, 2023.
Learn and practice American Sign Language for library settings in this interactive series.
Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form. Group rates available.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-live-asl-practice-for-library-staff-beginner-registration-461172157337
Hands Up! Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Review Series)
Wednesdays, May 17-June 21, 2023, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific. Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week)
Review and practice your ASL for the library setting in these interactive sessions! This series will focus on review and deep practice of vocabulary and concepts introduced in the Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff Beginner and Intermediate series and in the ALA eCourse ASL for Library Staff, level 1. Recording access will be available through 30 days after the final session.
Individual: $240. Save 20% with code READANDSIGN. Group rates available.
Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-live-asl-practice-for-library-staff-review-series-registration-486847412717
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Summer Reading Special (1 hour webinar)
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 12 PM -1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10 AM-11 AM Mountain/9 AM-10 AM Pacific.
Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for though June 24, 2023.
In this interactive session, we’ll focus on basic ASL vocabulary for friends and togetherness, to go with the Collaborative Summer Library program theme, All Together Now: Todos Juntos Ahora.
Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code SUMMER at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Summer Signs (1 hour webinar)
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 2 PM Eastern/1 PM Central/12 PM Mountain/11 AM Pacific Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for 30 days.
Learn basic American Sign Language for summer storytimes in this interactive online session!
Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code SUMMER at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.
For information about my eCourses through the American Library Association, see https://storiesbyhand.com/ecourses/
Signing with Children eCourse begins August 23! Register now!
Sign Language for Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide eCourse
Asynchronous eCourse beginning Monday, August 23, 2021 (6 weeks of lessons; Participants will have a total of 12 weeks to complete course materials)
Instructor: Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Cost: $250.00 (discounts available for American Library Association members and bulk registrations); Estimated Hours of Learning: 30
American Sign Language is most commonly used in storytimes for babies, but the applications can go much further. In this 6-week eCourse, expert Kathy MacMillan explores the benefits of signing with all children. In addition to learning basic American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary appropriate for use with children in library and classroom settings, you will also learn to teach stories, songs, and other activities that incorporate ASL. MacMillan provides you with a linguistic and cultural context to help make your programming more accessible.
A few of your assignments will be to create videos of yourself signing, so that you can get direct feedback from the instructor.
Reviews
“Sign Language for Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide is one of the most well-organized and rewarding professional development courses I’ve taken. I really appreciated the topics covered and all the additional tips the instructor contributed to the discussion forums.”
“Your methods for teaching, quizzing, and giving feedback for assignments were more responsive than any ecourse I’ve taken so far (on this site or in grad school!)”
“Kathy MacMillan was an outstanding teacher, and I would highly recommend this class to my colleagues.”
“This course was appropriately named. It was practical and extremely informative.”
Signing with Babies and Toddlers, Signing in the Library – 3 New Webinar Series!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series: Babies and Toddlers
Learn engaging storytime activities for babies and toddlers that incorporate basic American Sign Language!
Join us for weekly interactive workshops that teach basic American Sign Language vocabulary and demonstrate how to use the signs in storytime activities and the early childhood classroom. This series will focus on vocabulary and best practices for baby and toddler programs. Each session will focus on specific thematic vocabulary:
- March 30: Getting Started
- April 6: Playtime Signs
- April 13: Mealtime Signs
- April 20: Diaper and Potty Signs
- April 27: Safety Signs
- May 4: Our Signing Day
Register for Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series: Babies and Toddlers Now!
Get live, hands-on practice with American Sign Language vocabulary for library settings and improve your ability to communicate with deaf and hard of hearing patrons!
Tuesdays, March 30-May 4, 2021 from 10-11AM Eastern/9-10AM Central/8-9AM Mountain/7-8 AM Pacific | Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week)
Learn how to improve your service to deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons in this interactive series. We’ll cover basic information about American Sign Language and Deaf Culture, as well as specific vocabulary for the library setting. Each session will build on those before it to reinforce your knowledge and expand your ability to communicate with members of the Deaf community, and you’ll get plenty of interactive signing practice! Recording access will be available to those who cannot attend the sessions live.
Who it’s for: Library staff who are new to ASL; Library staff who have taken an ASL class but are unfamiliar with library-specific vocabulary; Library staff who have learned basic ASL library vocabulary in the past and need a refresher.
Register for Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff Beginner Series Now!
Tuesdays, March 30-May 4, 2021 from 1:30-2:30 PM Eastern/12:30-1:30 PM Central/11:30 AM-12:30 PM Mountain/10:30-11:30 AM Pacific | Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week)
Practice your ASL for the library setting in these interactive sessions! The instructor will design sessions to meet the specific review and practice needs of participants. Join us to reinforce your library signing skills and increase your confidence in your ability to communicate with members of the Deaf community. Recording access will be available to those who cannot attend the sessions live.
Who it’s for: Those who have taken ASL for Library Staff eCourses through the American Library Association; Anyone who already knows some library vocabulary in ASL and wishes to polish their signing skills.
Note: If you have taken ASL courses before, but are not familiar with vocabulary specific to the library setting, we recommend you register for the Beginner session rather than Intermediate.
Register for Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff Intermediate Series Now!
Webinar Series Pricing:
- Individual: $240 (includes live webinar and recording access for the 6-week series)
- Group rate (10 people): $2000 (includes live webinar and recording access for the 6-week series)
Certificate of completion available upon request with successful completion of post-test.
About the Instructor:
Kathy MacMillan (she/her) is a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer and signing storyteller. Kathy is the author of the Little Hands Signing board book series (Familius Press) and Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together (Huron Street Press), as well as many other books for children, teens, and adults. She has worked in public libraries for over twenty years, and was the Library/Media Specialist at the Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia Campus from 2001 to 2005. Kathy presents American Sign Language programs for families and workshops for workshops and educators. She also serves on the board of Deaf Camps, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides camps for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and children learning American Sign Language. She lives in Baltimore, MD.
Tickle Song for Baby Storytime
Tickle Song
(to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
Where’s your finger? Where’s your finger?
On your nose. On your nose.
Tickle tickle tickle. Tickle tickle tickle.
So it goes. So it goes.
Where’s your finger? Where’s your finger?
On your toe. On your toe.
Tickle tickle tickle. Tickle tickle tickle.
Do-si-do. Do-si-do.
Where’s your finger? Where’s your finger?
On your ear. On your ear.
Tickle tickle tickle. Tickle tickle tickle.
Don’t you fear. Don’t you fear.
Where’s your finger? Where’s your finger?
On your eye. On your eye.
Tickle tickle tickle. Tickle tickle tickle.
Please don’t cry. Please don’t cry.
Where’s your finger? Where’s your finger?
On your knee. On your knee.
Tickle tickle tickle. Tickle tickle tickle.
Tee hee hee. Tee hee hee.
Where’s your finger? Where’s your finger?
On your tummy. On your tummy.
Tickle tickle tickle. Tickle tickle tickle.
You’re so funny! You’re so funny!
Register now for Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series 3!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development Storytimes Series 3
Join us for weekly interactive “annotated storytimes” that teach basic American Sign Language vocabulary and demonstrate how to use the signs in storytime activities and the early childhood classroom. Each session will focus on specific thematic vocabulary:
- Thursday, October 8, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern: School and Library Signs
- Thursday, October 15, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern: Playtime Signs
- Thursday, October 22, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern: Safety Signs
- Thursday, October 29, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern: Our Signing Day
- Thursday, November 5, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern: People Signs
Children of participants are welcome to join for the first 40 minutes. The final 20 minutes will consist of lecture and Q&A. Presenter Kathy MacMillan is a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, and storyteller. She is the author of the Little Hands Signing series from Familius Press, Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together (Huron Street Press) as well as many other resources books for librarians and educators. Certificate of completion for each webinar available upon request with successful completion of post-test.
Because each webinar series is theme-based, each series stands alone. It is not necessary to have taken Series 1 or 2 in order to get the most out of Series 3!
Individual registration: $200 for the 5-webinar series. Group rate: $1500 for 10 people for the 5-webinar series.
Add-ons available:
- 30-minute one-on-one coaching session: $30. A one-on-one Zoom session with Kathy MacMillan to receive individualized feedback on your planned signing materials for storytime or the classroom – planned around your schedule! Includes recording access. Must be used within 6 months of purchase.
- Individualized video feedback: $20.Submit a video (up to 10 min) demonstrating your planned signing activities for storytime and receive individualized feedback on sign choices, production, and more from Kathy MacMillan via return video within 14 days. Must be used within 6 months of purchase.
Register now! Get 40% off when you register using code EARLYLITERACY (valid on group tickets too!)
Colors Signs for Storytime!
Brighten up any storytime by teaching the American Sign Language colors!
Learn the color signs from Shaylee, Ivy, Manny and Sheena in this adorable video from ASL Nook! It’s perfect for learning the signs yourself, and also short and engaging enough to share with students or in storytime!
Then incorporate the ASL signs for colors in your favorite songs and rhymes! Here’s a fun one to get you started. This song is terrific for online storytimes and lessons too, because it keeps kids engaged even through a video screen! For more signing fun, click on the links to learn the signs for the movements too.
Where are Colors? Song
by Kathy MacMillan
(to the tune of Frere Jacques)
Where is RED? Where is RED?
Look around. Look around.
Point to something RED, Point to something RED
JUMP up and down, JUMP up and down.
WHERE is BLUE?…DANCE around.
WHERE is YELLOW?…TURN-AROUND.
WHERE is GREEN?…STOMP around.
WHERE is PURPLE?…then SIT down.
Register now for Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series 2!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development Storytimes Series 2: Seasons
Join us for weekly interactive “annotated storytimes” that teaches basic American Sign Language vocabulary and demonstrate how to use the signs in storytime activities and the early childhood classroom. Each session will focus on specific seasonal vocabulary:
- Tuesday, July 7, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern: Summer Signs
- Tuesday, July14, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern: Autumn Signs
- Tuesday, July 21, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern: Winter Signs
- Tuesday, July 28, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern: Spring Signs
- Tuesday, August 4, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern: Celebration Signs
Because each webinar is theme-based, it is NOT necessary to have taken Series 1 in order to get the most out of Series 2!
Children of participants are welcome to join for the first 40 minutes. The final 20 minutes will consist of lecture and Q&A. Webinars are presented in spoken English. To request accommodations, contact info@storiesbyhand.com.
Individual registration: $200 for the 5-webinar series. Group rate: $1500 for 10 people for the 5-webinar series.
Add-ons available:
- 30-minute one-on-one coaching session: $30. A one-on-one Zoom session with Kathy MacMillan to receive individualized feedback on your planned signing materials for storytime or the classroom – planned around your schedule! Includes recording access. Must be used within 6 months of purchase.
- Individualized video feedback: $20. Submit a video (up to 10 min) demonstrating your planned signing activities for storytime and receive individualized feedback on sign choices, production, and more from Kathy MacMillan via return video within 14 days. Must be used within 6 months of purchase.
Register now! Get 40% off when you register using code EARLYLITERACY (valid on group tickets too!)
Storytime Stuff 