Baby Signs™ programs now offered at Gymboree

Gymboree Play and Music, the pioneer and worldwide leader of parent-child play, music, and art programs, introduces its new Baby Signs® Program, for children 6-24 months. Gymboree has teamed up with Baby Signs, Inc., to provide this new program that will teach babies to use simple gestures to communicate with their parents.

“I’m so excited to be the first to bring this wonderful program to our community,” said Jennifer McIntosh, Owner of Gymboree of Federal Way. “Baby Signs® Programs fit hand-in-hand with the philosophy of Gymboree, and that is to provide quality programs which not only promote positive development in a fun environment, but also strengthen the parent-child bond.”

“Using signs with babies gives us a peek into their world, what they are thinking, and what they want to share with us,” added McIntosh. “With the Baby Signs® Program, we‘re giving parents a way to see into their child’s world and tap into a whole new realm of possibilities. These babies can feel proud that they are able to communicate their needs and wants to their parents, and as a result they are less frustrated and more confident in themselves.”

More than 20 years ago, child development experts Linda Acredolo, Ph.D. and Susan Goodwyn, Ph.D. developed the Baby Signs® Program for infants and toddlers ages 6-24 months. Their National Institutes of Health research showed that the Baby Signs® Program reduces frustration and builds trust, strengthens the parent/infant bond, promotes positive emotional development, and helps babies learn to talk sooner. Drs. Acredolo and Goodwyn began to develop gestures using American Sign Language (ASL), but with some adjustments for babies’ level of motor coordination. They found that these motor movements were actually easier for babies to coordinate than those in their mouths and throats.

Gymboree is now offering Baby Signs® Programs in the form of Baby Signs® Parent Workshops and Sign, Say, & Play™ Classes, taught by a certified Baby Signs® instructor—two exciting ways that allow parents to choose what best fits their plan for signing with their babies.

This parent-only workshop is an introduction to using signs at home with their babies. Parents will learn what the Baby Signs® Program is all about, why the program is so popular, when to get started, and how to choose and teach signs. They will view a video clip of babies signing with their parents, as well as learn about valuable resources for signing at home with their babies. The workshop lasts for approximately 90 minutes, including time for questions at the end. Participants will receive the Baby Signs® Parent Kit with their Workshop registration.

These parent-child classes include activities that introduce families to many of the most popular signs through songs and games that promote cognitive, social, language, literacy, and sensory-motor development. Through these classes, parents learn specific ways to provide support to their babies in these areas, which are essential in the first three years of life. The 45-minute classes are once per week for six weeks, each centering on a different theme. This is a great opportunity for parents to practice signing with their babies in a supportive and fun environment along with others who are going through the program. Participants will receive the Sign, Say, & Play™ Starter Kit with their registration for classes.

For information on all programs and classes offered at Gymboree, please call 1-866-349-GROW.

About Gymboree Play & Music and Gymboree Retail Stores: Gymboree Play & Music offers children ages newborn to five years the opportunity to explore, learn, play and have fun in an innovative parent-child environment. The Gymboree program has been developed by early childhood experts and combines nearly 30 years of hands-on experience. Gymboree Play & Music is the pioneer and worldwide leader of parent-child play and movement classes and has 525 sites in 26 countries around the world. Gymboree