The new class is part of Indian Hill's popular early childhood program.

Pam Espinosa of Chelmsford, a Kindermusik educator and IHMS early childhood department chair, is teaching the program created exclusively for Kindermusik by leading experts in sign language for hearing children: Signing Smart Inc. The class combines songs and playful interaction to help children learn American Sign Language. "Instinctively your baby reaches up when she wants to be held, and you instinctively pick her up and dance and sing to soothe her," says Espinosa. "Sign & Sing helps you see these moments happening every day in your life and gives you the language to improve that communication, and strengthen the bond between you and your child."

The five-session class gives parents the tools to learn more than 50 American Sign Language signs for children ages 6 to 12 months. Espinosa will teach signs such as "help," "change," "bed," "where" and "thank you." "Children are physically ready to begin signing between the ages of 6 to 9 months," explains Espinosa, "and the beauty of Sign & Sing is that it gives children the means to communicate months before they are verbally ready."

The class experience includes a set of clip-on flashcards of American Sign Language that features photos of both a parent and a child making the signs. Also included is a booklet of activities for parents and their children to learn and play with at home, and a DVD glossary that features adults using sign language.

"One of the best ways to draw a child into learning sign language is through what they love: songs and play," says Carol Penney, Kindermusik's manager of curriculum development. "Who better to teach that than a Kindermusik educator?"

Sign & Sing is just one of the many Kindermusik offerings at Indian Hill Music School this fall. Other programs include Music Time, a Montessori-based family class for ages 18 months to 6 years, and Rhythm Kids, a fun-filled drumming class for 5 to 7 year olds. Class openings are still available. Call Indian Hill Music School at 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org.

Indian Hill Music School is a certified member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. Kindermusik International is the world's most respected publisher of music and early childhood education programs (www.kindermusik.com). Signing Smart Inc. is a nationally-recognized program for hearing infants and toddlers created by experts in language and child development-Dr. Michelle Anthony and Dr. Reyna Lindert.

From Littleton Independent