Peter Rabbit: Week 3

This week lets look at ways we can connect this story to the real world.  In my experience, with my own children, I have found this happens most natural when we allow them to lead.  As I shared last week,  my son was fascinated with the word THEIF.  I have been trying to take opportunities throughout our week to point out when he takes things that are not his.  My favorite being when he sneaks in and drinks my chai tea in the mornings.  I now do not hesitate to say, "Stop! Theif!"  We have had many laughs over him thieving my tea!

Let's look at other ways we can connect Peter Rabbit with real life.

1.  Family  (click on the words to learn the ASL signs)
   
     Siblings: What are siblings? Do you have a brother/sister?  How many? What are their names?
     Mother:  Who is your mother (name)? What are other names for mother? How did Peter's mom
     take care of him?  Did Peter listen to his mother?  Do you?
     Father:  Who is your father (name)?  What are other names for father?  Where was Peter's father?
     Widow (finger spell):  What is a widow?

Other books/ideas:
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter
This book extends the idea of family by introducing Benjamin Bunny, Peter's cousin and also old Mr. Bunny, Peter's uncle.

Have pictures available or invite family over for a dinner around the table.  Teach them how to introduce themselves to your child in ASL.  Example:  Uncle Josh

Obviously, discussions about family will become more complex as your children grow.  These are just suggestions to get you thinking!

2.  Garden

     vegetables:  Where do vegetables grow?  Name some vegetables?  What's your favorite
     vegetable?
     dig, plant, grow:  How do you plant a garden?  What do you do first, second, third (order)? What
     will it need to grow?  Where does the water come from?  What if it doesn't rain?
     cook:  What can we do with the vegetables?  How could we cook them?
     eat: Do you like them raw or cooked?  What could we dip them in?  What could we put them on?
     healthy:  What does it mean to be healthy?  Why are vegetables considered healthy?

Other books/ideas:
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
They have a You Tube read aloud (unfortunately not in ASL) you can find by clicking HERE.

In addition, if you have not visited Georgia's Pathway to Language and Literacy site they have a blog Forever Free.  They have uploaded VOCABULARY CARDS:  Food Your Child Should Know.  They are printable and there are numerous ways to use them.  For example:  sort vegetables, healthy/unhealthy, print duplicates and play memory, etc.

Have a great week!
Sara

Peter Rabbit: Week 2

I hope you had fun reading with your littles during our first week of reading Peter Rabbit together!  If you have not yet done so, please take time to read the following:  15 Principles for Reading to Deaf Children. Last week we focused on the first 2 suggestions this article articulates.

1.  Deaf readers translate stories using ASL.

2.  Deaf readers keep both languages visible.

If you did not get a chance to watch the ASL Storytelling I highly suggest taking a few minutes.  In our home, one story led to an hour of my son watching and listening to books being read.  Which translated into me having a few minutes of quiet time to catch up on "mom" things.  

This week we will be reading and re-reading the story.  Why do we do this?

"These rereadings coincide with the way children learn. Like their parents, they are most comfortable with the familiar, and when they are relaxed, they're better able to absorb. The repetition improves their vocabulary, sequencing, and memory skills. Research shows that preschoolers often ask as many questions (and sometimes the same questions) after a dozen readings of the same book, because they are learning language in increments not all at once. Each reading often brings an inch or two of meaning to the story." Trelease (1995)

Also,  follow your childs lead.  For example:

My son gets excited when he sees/hears exclamation points in the text.  When Mr. McGregor is running after Peter he exclaims "Stop theif!"  As I read to him, the tone and pitch of my voice change and I exaggerate my signing.  He points to the words in the book and asks...what is that word.  He is pointing to THEIF.  We discuss the word and move on.  The next day we were not able to finish the book because we again stopped on this word and we begin dialoguing about what it means to be a thief.  

What was Peter taking that was not his? 

Is this good or bad?  

Is Peter in trouble? 

Are you a thief?

Another cool outcome from this dialogue occurred while we were in the car.  We are currently listening to The Lord of the Rings as we drive to and from therapies.  We do this primarily for my older daughter and these CD's are available at the library for free.  One day, as we listened Kellan said, "Mommy what did he say?"  I was not sure what he was talking about so we backed up a few pages and sure enough we hear..."Stop thief!"   Then the questions begin:  

What did he take?

Why did he take it?

What is a ring?

You have a ring, are you a thief?
Why did daddy give you a ring?

What does ring mean?

This friends is how language develops!  It does not have to be complicated.  It does not cost money.  If I am being completely honest, I never in my wildest dreams even thought as we listened to books in the car that he was listening or could hear the story.  The car is one of our most difficult places to communicate.  He simply heard ONE WORD that now had meaning to him due to our time spent with Peter Rabbit.  Never underestimate the power of one word, one book, or one afternoon or evening cuddled on the couch communicating with these amazing babies we've been given.  Enjoy every minute with them!

Sara

GBYS Read Along

Welcome to our first GBYS Read Along!

Peter Rabbit

by Beatrix Potter

I chose Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter because of its rich language and its ability to be used with kids of all ages.  This week we will read and watch/listen to the story being read in ASL.  I have included a list of words that are linked to an ASL dictionary for us to learn together and words that can be investigated if your children are older.  

Please take the time to read the following: 15 Principles for Reading to Deaf Children.  These are strategies that will help you, the parent, as you journey with your child into language and literacy.


Week One:  Read the story and watch/listen to story in ASL

ASL Storytelling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCOMxxdhLnk

Learn ASL Signs:

rabbit
mother
father
garden
frightened
finger spell: Peter

Are your kids too young?

Read to them regardless.  Remember the importance of getting language in and then keep things simple. Train yourself to be intentional in the early days and start to slowly build a library for your children at home!

Are your kids older?

Discuss the following words:  mischief, naughty, thief, frightened, sob, implored, exert, tremble

Look up their meanings and discuss synonyms that could be used in their place.


Download Book Here:  http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14838
**the EPUB (with images) was downloaded to iBooks
**Kindle (with images) was downloaded to Kindle 

Enjoy this time with your kids and remember these everyday small investments add up!
Sara

                   

Georgia H & V Guide By Your Side Program Spring Events 2016

Hello,

Spring will be here soon! Let’s get out and meet each other! Below are some spring events I put together. Please RSVP so I will know to contact you in case we have to cancel or give out last minute information.

Scarlett Giles sgiles@doe.k12.ga.us or text 470-991-9187 (At events will have a GA H &V-GBYS sign to locate me.)

Event 1:

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016 - 3:30pm-5pm

North Point Mall Alpharetta

1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022

Food Court/Carousel Area

I will bring my kids for a fun play date. Meet in the food court. Grab an afternoon snack & let the kids ride the Carousel. Carousel-Children under 2 free. Ages 2-12- Purchase tokens ($2 each - cash only) from token machine located beside the Carousel. American Girl & Disney Store are also good window shopping experiences.

RSVP by Tuesday, March 1st

Event 2:

Tuesday, March 29^th, 2016- 10am

Rev Coffee

1680 Spring Road SE, Smyrna, Ga. 30080

www.revcoffee.com

My kids are in school that morning. Children are welcome or you can come by yourself.

RSVP by Monday, March 28^th.

Event 3:

Wednesday, April 13^th,  2016-3:30pm-5:30pm

JJ Biello Park (next to CRPA Twin Creeks Softball Complex)

250 Brooke Blvd., Woodstock, Ga. 30188

I will bring my kids for a park playdate.

RVSP by Tuesday, April 12th

Event 4:

Monday, April 25^th, 2016- 9am

Martin’s Restaurant

2005 Cobb Parkway NW, Kennesaw, Ga. 30152

www.martinsrestaurants.com

Let’s meet for breakfast. My kids are in school that morning. Children are welcome or you can come by yourself.

RSVP by Friday, April 22nd

Looking ahead: Last year was our 1^st annual Meet in May Park Day. Details will come soon about locations and date/time in May.

Looking forward to seeing your family. –Scarlett Giles (Parent Guide)

Dog Blog-Things to love: Puppies and Reading

 Happy New Year,
        My name is Scarlett Giles. I am a Parent Guide with Georgia Hands & Voices. Our Guide By Your Side Program has been up and running for a year now. Below is a new post I wrote to our blog. We have a Facebook group, website (www.gahandsandvoices.org/Guide_By_Your_Side.html), and pinterest account as well. Check out our program in the new year. Let us know if you or someone you know needs our guidance and resources for their Deaf/HOH child.

 It's a post all about Dogs...and reading too!

My Family

Giles Kids

            We welcomed into the family not one, but two puppies this past September. Brindle-coated brothers, Hairy and Blue. Trouble and love all wrapped into one. We got two from the rescue litter so that when our older dog, Jasper, passes they will still have a playmate. The puppies annoy Jasper sometimes, but she has gained weight and perked up since they arrived. Puppies are harder than babies ...yeah I said it.  The first week, I didn't want them to go, but I didn't want them to stay.  I powered through with 6 kids (3 human, 3 dogs), because of one gift I knew I would get at the end of the struggle: Unconditional Love. Dogs are the only ones that give this type of love. Humans are too flawed and complicated to extend this pure love. Introducing our handsome boys:

Meet Hairy -Hairy was named after University of Georgia's Mascot- Hairy Dawg. His middle name is J.J. after our first born dog-Jasper. We first called him "trouble", but he has turned out to be the most loving and loyal guard dog. He follows me everywhere.

     Meet Blue- Blue was named after our oldest child Colin's nickname "Boy Blue." Blue's middle name is  JaJa after Jasper.  Blue looks "blue" with his shy and sulky eyes, but tends to be the instigator underneath. He's like the teacher's pet. Everyone thinks he is so perfect, but he has an evil side. He loves to get Hairy in trouble.

           This post is not just me proudly showing my new puppies. I wanted to tie the dogs with an important topic, reading. In the new year, make sure you make time to read to your kids, especially your HOH/Deaf children.  Literacy is so important. Language is so important. I wanted to share some info from Georgia Pathway to Language and Literacy Program, which was established in 2010. This program is made up of professionals and parents, in the state of Georgia, whose mission is to increase literacy in Georgia's D/HOH children. Their goal is to achieve grade-level reading proficiency by the end of third grade for all students with hearing loss. Check out their website for great resources and tools to help your child.  http://www.georgialiteracy.org/

            Dogs and reading, how do they go together? My mother-in-law bought a children's book on hearing loss when we first found out about my youngest Amelia. The book is,  Elana's ears or How I became the best big sister in the world by Gloria Roth Lowell. It's about a dog (Lacey) that reminds me of our first dog-child Jasper. I imagine Lacey having a dog birthday party or wearing baby gap clothes as did our Jasper. The book starts off introducing the spoiled dog who even has a raincoat in her wardrobe. Lacey's biggest hobby was barking. She started to notice her human mom's belly was getting large. The dog recalls one night in which her owners, for the first time ever, rushed out and didn't even say goodbye. When they came home Lacey in her words says, "Yes, they had gone and had a baby on me!" The next few pages talks about how Lacey's privileged life changes, because of that baby. She was jealous, but then she tries to form a friendship with baby Elana. She shows off her favorite hobby, barking, but Elana never responds. Lacey tries to get her owners to see over the next weeks that Elana is not responding to sound. Then pages 14 and 15 of the book come. The pages that choke me up everytime....even six years later. It transports me back to the room where three month old Amelia laid with electrodes hooked up all over her head and ears for the ABR(fancy for a test that determines if your brain is hearing sound.) The words that the audiologist spoke that day were words I knew were coming. "Amelia does have hearing loss."

And the book reads-Part of page 14,"Finally(moms and dads can be kind of slow sometimes) I heard them talking about Elana's ears, and the very next day they took her to the doctor. That was the second time in my life they didn't say goodbye." Page 15, "When they came home, both of my parents were upset. You know how you can always tell whey your parents are upset. I heard them call Grandma Renee and Grandpa Al to tell them the news I already knew in my heart. Elana's ears weren't working. Elana couldn't hear."

The dog starts thinking of how she would help Elana. "I would be Elana's ears..I would be Lacey, the first ever hearing-ear dog." Elana goes on to get hearing aids and Lacey explains her excitement when Elana hears barking for the first time. It is a wonderful book and I hope you will go read it.  I wanted to tell parents that there are children's books written on the topic of hearing loss. It could be used to help your family member understand. It could be used for you to journey through your emotional process, or  introduce your child and/or siblings to stories of others like them. In the new year, read, read, read.

          While on the subject of books and dogs, I wanted to tell you about one more book, Kayla the Amazing. The Adventures of a Super Dog by Kara Gagnon. The author, my friend Kara, wrote this children's book.  It is about her beloved dog Kayla who recently passed, but was a superdog in real life. The book is not about hearing loss, but it's another good book to read to your kids. Kara's family has been by our side through our hearing loss journey, so I wanted to share her book info.  Here is the link to check it out: http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000942841/Kayla-the-Amazing.aspx

Remember everybody loves puppies, but get your child to love reading this year too. -Scarlett Giles

It's story time!

I homeschool both of my children.  This is the first year Kellan has been home with us and I love every single minute of it.  He has a love for reading books.  He will line his work up for the day and lay out the books on the floor by his desk that I will be required to read to him once his school work is complete.  Please do not tell him reading is actual school work.  Often he will grab a toy that goes along with the story and he will play while I read.  If you have not yet looked at   >> T H I S <<  there is great information to help as you read to your babies-- I mean big kids.  I am now being informed he is not a baby.  Womp! Womp!  My very favorite is how he will stop me and act out the story line.  So stinkin' cute!  Speaking of cute...check out the signed stories from ASL Nook.  This little lady is PRECIOUS!

I wish you each a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sara

How the Grinch Stole Christmas in ASL
Your very own Deaf Cindy Lou retelling the story of how the Grinch stole Christmas in sign language. AND it will make your heart grow 3 sizes!!
Posted by ASL Nook on Monday, December 7, 2015

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in ASL
With the holidays, there's no stopping us from doing ONE MORE story. This time around Shaylee does Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!
Posted by ASL Nook on Thursday, December 10, 2015

The Night Before Christmas in ASL
Let's ring in the holidays starting with "The Night Before Christmas" video:
Posted by ASL Nook on Tuesday, December 1, 2015

H & V Leadership Conference-Uniquely Created, Strongly United






          The 12th Annual Hands & Voices Leadership Conference took place September 18-20th in New Braunfels, Texas.   Four of the five Parent Guides (Sara Price, Deshonda Washington, Kelly Cashion, & Scarlett Giles) were able to attend. Terri Patterson, Georgia Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side Program Director, was with us as well. I have collected the thoughts and memorable moments my fellow guides experienced and will summarize our trip to Texas.

          First, let me talk about the theme of the conference, "Uniquely Created, Strongly United." I believe this theme accurately describes our Georgia Guide By Your Side team. We all have unique stories and different paths, but our strengths help unite us. We have different strengths as Deshonda often reminds us. I believe the one quality that "strongly unites" us is that of empathy. We can all relate to a common struggle. Our children all have hearing loss. The struggle is different in the why and the how life put us on this path, but it unites us. Our Georgia Guides are "Uniquely Created, Strongly United."

          Janet DesGeorges, Executive Director of Hands & Voices, opened the conference with a motivational talk on "The Accidental Leader." I personally can relate to the title. When we first found out about my child's hearing loss, it was not uncommon to hear from others "You are strong.  This will help you help others. God only gives what you can handle." While those comments were not ill willed they made me feel ill. I didn't want to be the chosen one, the tested one, or a leader. I just wanted a "normal" life. This topic of leadership came up again four years later when I was approached about being a Parent Guide. I feared, by helping others through what I went through in those early diagnosis days, it would break me...again. My mind said no, my heart said yes. I knew that I must turn around from where I had been and help/lead others along the journey. One quote that stuck out in my mind from the presentation was, "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." That really is what each Guide has done...taken the first step and climbed the "Accidental leader"staircase.  


        

          During the first breakout session, Deshonda Washington and I went to a wonderful presentation. A butterfly sticker was place at our seat when we arrived (see pic.) The speaker opened up with a powerful statement. 'Butterflies are Deaf. What the Caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls the Butterfly." Deshonda and I were so taken by such as beautiful analogy. It is a great take home point to tell our Guide By Your Side families about. In the beginning with your child it might seem like the end of the world. In some ways it is the end. It's the end of the way your world was or the end of the way you had planned it to be. As metamorphosis happens in your life, you start seeing peeks of the beauty that awaits you. The life lessons, the joys that special needs children bring to you and bring out of you. It's hard to see the butterfly in the beginning.  Our hope is that we can help our families to believe that the butterfly is waiting down the path. One day understanding may come, or even better peace may take flight and transcend that understanding. 


      

          The conference not only gives us personal inspiration, but also professionally helps us. The conference provides the opportunity to network with other state and international chapters including China, Kenya and Russia. Terri Patterson has attended eight Leadership conferences. She explained it best, "The diversity of culture, experience, stories, lives, and journeys of these parents still humble me, fill me up, comfort me, break my heart, encourage me, enrich me, surprise me, embrace me and teach me. We met and related to professionals and parents of children who are D/HH from all of these countries.  They are as passionate as we are about the importance of parent to parent support, communicating across multiple spoken and signed languages, and we all still “get it”.  I never leave without learning something new professionally, something new about myself and reigniting that fire in my belly that drives me to do what I do and reminds me that I am capable."


      

          The conference theme Uniquely Created was seen most beautifully from our seats as we watched the English language be interpreted into American Sign Language, Russian Sign Language, Chinese and live time captioning on a screen via CART (Communication Access Real Time Translation). So, if you were sitting in my chair at the conference during a presentation you would have heard English and Chinese, seen American Sign Language, Russian Sign Language, and live time captioning. That’s exhausting, but uniquely awesome! While on the international topic, I must say a word about Jackie Oduor from Kenya. I wrote about her when she spoke at our conference last year. She had talked about changing the taboo of Deafness in Africa, even if she had to stand alone. This year she attended the conference, again. Her life had taken a tragic turn since last year.  She tearfully spoke from her seat on the last day and said, "We don't know how much time we have."  And with her brief, but powerful words she impacted each of us.  She is only one person, but she is proof it only takes one person. My hope is that our brief interactions with each of our Guide families can be that powerful. We embrace each other, because we understand the unique journey. 


   

          The conference gave us some professional points, but it always seems to come back to the personal benefit.  Another take-home point from the conference came from one of our Guides, Kelly Cashion. She talked about hearing what she needed to hear when she attended a session concerning advocacy and IDEA law. It was personally beneficial as she has spent years advocating for necessary equipment for her son in the public education system. Upon returning home, she again found herself in these conversations and was able to share the reality that her son's need are protected under law. Speaking of reality.  Our reality, us Guides, is like your reality.  IEP meetings, advocating for our children to have fair and equal access, defending/denying stereotypes of Deafness, redefining Hard of Hearing as a result of technological advances, and educating the world. Wow, REALITY! The conference also helped me, personally, when I attended my child's IEP this week. The system does not want to define my child as HOH/deaf.  Her IEP is voice/speech, but she is HOH. We all know, or you will find out, that the system is complicated. We have some great people on our side in our schools, but they are the professionals. I am the parent. I am living the document they are writing.  All the legal terms and goals cannot quantify or capture the journey that it has taken us to get here. The paper does not tell the story of sacrifice and struggle. Yesterday, I cried at the IEP, because on paper it said she was not a deaf/HOH student, but in reality she is. Four years given to early intervention and I just needed them to acknowledge where we had been and where we are going. I wanted them to acknowledge her identity.  I think I got that from the Hands & Voices conference about the need and importance of identifying. She must embrace her differences. If you don't embrace yourself, you will never embrace others. It's so true..”.Know thyself” As Guides, the conference always reminds us of our personal journey. 

   

          The last topic of the conference is a hard one. Maybe you have never thought about this topic, never had to think about it, or you think, how would/will you ever survive it? “It” is Deaf Plus. A high percentage of children born have hearing loss plus other health problems or disorders. Three of our five Georgia Guides have Deaf Plus children. The parents of Deaf Plus kids will undergo tremendous stress. Their marriages experience higher divorce rates. Their social circles and support groups can become complicated, For example:” Do I fit into the Deaf community or the Autistic Community?” I do not have a Deaf Plus child, but there is an important message that I have and plan on delivering. You see, the "P" for Deaf Plus represents perspective, for me. Two moms spoke at the conference about their journey as Deaf plus moms. They gave me the gift of perspective, and I hope they give it to you, as well.  I must have repeated a thousand times, in my head, how thankful I was during their presentation. At the beginning of my journey, I struggled with one diagnosis, hearing loss, and that is justified and that is ok. However, Deaf Plus moms struggle with many, and I want to make sure we remember them. A few of my friends with Deaf Plus children have told me they were concerned about death, not deaf, in the beginning. Talk about Perspective! They have to talk about things we never want to talk about, such as long-term care, medical devices, and planning funerals. They are burying their babies and struggling to glue back their broken souls. We all start our paths in different places and different situations.  I have not "walked in their shoes", but I marvel at their strength and perseverance. I think that is why people say that blessings come from the bad. Let us not forget the Deaf Plus families, because their struggle blesses us with perspective. 

  

          In closing, the end of the conference is by far the most special.  We all participate in what is called the Naming Circle.  Everyone who attends the conference holds hands and we circle the room.  A microphone is passed and you speak the names of your Deaf/deaf/HH child(ren). The purpose is to lift up those children who need us to be their voice. Sara, one of our Georgia guides, eloquently describes the circle. "It’s the butterfly moment.  You speak the name of the struggle that unites each of you and you squeeze a hand and shed a tear and you see the beauty that is always created out of hard spaces." As we each shared our experiences from the conference, Sara also reminded us of the value of the small, faithful moments.  She wrote, " Hands & Voices is strong because of the strength of each individual small unit, the chapter.  The chapters are strong because of each individual willing to donate time, experience and a listening ear.  When we walk away, we want each family to know your small moments in the confines of your home matter.  The books read and appointments scheduled.  The time spent in your car and sleepless nights rocking your babies.  Those are the beautiful, butterfly moments.  Thank you for sharing them with us!" We went to the conference to stand as a whole, but we walk away ready to change the world even if we are only one, uniquely, strong person.

Scarlett Giles -Georgia Guide By Your Side Program/ Hands & Voices