Shirley Nunally
MSH Baby Sign Language Instructor
My name is Shirley Ann “Joy” Nunally. I have been involved with the Deaf Community for over 20 years. I started my adventure with this beautiful community and language when I joined the Deaf Ministry at my church. This led me to work at a Deaf school where I am during the day the administrative assistant to the Educational Department Supervisor and by night I am the ASL Program Coordinator. The ASL Program offers sign language classes for any Hearing interested in learning about the language and Deaf culture.
Teaching Hearing about ASL has always been a passion of mine With my own experience of teaching with the ASL program at the Deaf school, I also was an ASL adjunct instructor for a New York based community college. As a former ASLTA member, I always emphasized the importance of being involved with the community. My students do not only learn the language but must understand who they are communicating with and how communication should be clear. ASL is a beautiful language which all should have a basic knowledge of.
Our Classes
Imagine knowing what your baby wanted before he or she could talk?
You can easily learn baby sign language to connect with your child and their needs with the help of My Smart Hands.
Did you know that research shows preverbal infants can communicate through baby sign language before they start learning to verbalize their needs?
Some of the benefits of baby sign language:
• Early communication
• Reduced frustration
• Early language use
• Brain development
• Closer bond
• Boosts self-confidence
Take a class with us!
Each week you will learn themed signs such as everyday signs, food, animals, bedtime in a fun and educational way. Our classes are full of fun and energy and are filled will music, games, books and more!
My Smart Hands® Level I
These classes run in either 4-,8- or 10-week sessions. The 4-week sessions are run in 2 parts.
In our classes, you will learn over 100 signs to use with your child. Classes are 45 minutes long and are created for parents/caregivers and babies.
In a playful, educational and language-rich environment, caregivers and children will build their American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary through instruction, interactive games and songs.
What will you be gaining from each class?
• Learning recommended first signs
• Discussing the benefits of using ASL with infants
• Demonstrating easy techniques for successfully integrating signs into everyday life
Some of the ASL vocabulary covered for this age group includes:
• Everyday words and food
• Family and animals
• Emotions and opposites
• Bed time and play signs
All of our classes include a full-colour MSH® curriculum book with a CD of the songs we teach. The books have pictures of the signs learned along with descriptions for easy reference long after the class is over!
My Smart Hands® Level II
These classes are designed for graduates of the My Smart Hands® Level I class or for infants with basic ASL comprehension.
Level II classes run in either 4-, 8- or 10-week sessions. In level II, you will learn over 120 signs to use with your child. Classes are 45 minutes in length. We will review signs learned in My Smart Hands® Level I and continue to build our signing vocabulary.
Weekly themes covered in more depth in Level II classes include:
• People
• Food
• Animals
• Emotions
• Opposites
• Weather
• Colors
All of our classes include a full-colour MSH® curriculum book. The books have pictures of the signs learned along with descriptions for easy reference long after the class is over!
My Smart Hands® Level III
The Level III classes are designed specifically for preschoolers aged 3 to 5. The instructor teaches directly to the children, and parents and caregivers act as “teachers’ aides” during the class, helping the children with in-class songs and activities.
Children do NOT need to have taken Levels I and II to join this class; however, children who have gone through the first two Levels will be slightly ahead of children who haven’t taken them.
These classes run in 8-week sessions. You will learn over 100 signs, as well as sing songs and read books not learned in Level I or II. Classes are 30-45 minutes in length.
Weekly themes covered in class include:
• Life together
• Shapes
• Questions
• Days of the week
• Clothes
• Community helpers
• Places we go
• Sports
Parent Workshops
These workshops are geared towards busy parents who are unable to take a full 8-week class. You can still learn how to enrich your child’s language development by increasing vocabulary and building self-confidence through the use of American Sign Language (ASL).
You will learn recommended first signs and easy techniques for successfully integrating signs into everyday life.
This workshop is an introduction to the benefits of using ASL with your child. Children are not only auditory learners, they also learn visually and kinesthetically (through touch and experience). Using sign language with your child encompasses all learning styles. Your child will hear you when you say the word, then they will see you make the sign and will also experience and feel the word as they learn to sign.
Over 100 signs will be introduced. Fee includes a full-colour MSH® curriculum book.
Educator Workshops
These workshops are designed to give teachers the tools to incorporate American Sign Language (ASL) into their current school curriculum.
As educators, we know that there are different types of learning styles in the classroom, including auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Using sign language in your program encompasses all learning styles.
The students will hear you when you say the word, then they will see you make the sign and will experience and feel the word as they learn to sign.
These workshops are designed to suit the specific needs of the school, including adherence to curriculum guidelines and availability of resources. Teachers will learn about the research supporting the use of sign language in the classroom, and they will be provided with vocabulary specific to classroom use.
Class Policies
MAKE-UP CLASSES
If you miss a class, space permitting, you can attend a session in another scheduled class. Please note that the make up class may be offered at a different location and time than your regular class. Please contact me if you have any questions. If you miss the entire session, an entire make up course is unavailable. You can only make up the 1-2 classes you missed.
CANCELLATION
A class may be cancelled or postponed due to low enrolment, illness, location or other circumstance. Full refunds will be provided to all participants accordingly.
REFUND
Class registrations are non-refundable. If you would like to switch to another class before the session has begun, please contact your coordinator to discuss your options in your area. The fee to switch classes is $15 and it is only possible when space is available in another class.
SICKNESS
If your child has a fever, rash, vomiting, pink eye, or other signs that your child may be contagious, please do not bring them to class. The child should be seen by a physician to determine if he/she is contagious.
Inclusive
In our classes we welcome all caregivers from parents to nannies to grandparents. All are welcome! Please feel free to email the instructor,
Supportive
Our classes provide a supportive environment to ensure your success. It can be intimidating learning a new skill. We are here to help.
Respectful
We use ASL signs, not made up ones. All our instructors have formal ASL training. You are not learning ASL but simply learning signs from the language.