My Smart Hands with Maria, LLC--Baby Sign Language Classes

My Smart Hands with Maria, LLC provides sign language instruction for caregivers to use with their hearing babies.

Research shows that signing babies:

• Talk sooner
• Have larger vocabularies
• Have less frustration, crying, and tantrums
• Engage in more sophisticated play
• Score higher on IQ tests (when tested at age 7-8)

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A LEVEL ONE CLASS: These sessions introduce you to every day words, family signs, foods, animals, emotions, opposites, bed time, and play signs. You will learn recommended first signs as well as the many benefits of using American Sign Language (ASL) with infants. Additionally you will gain an understanding on how to successfully integrate signs into everyday life. In this 8-week program you will learn over 100 ASL signs to use with your child. Each class allows for review, discussions, songs, and practice of signs in a playful, educational, and language-rich environment where caregivers and children will build their vocabulary. Classes are 45 minutes in length and are created for parents/ caregivers and babies. This program is recommended for pre-verbal babies with little to no signing exposure. Most babies are developmentally ready for signing back to their caregivers around 8-10 months of age, but exposure to sign can begin at birth. The typical age of attending babies is 6-18 months. If you have an older or more experience baby and wish to take a Level Two class please contact me for more details.

WHEN/WHERE: Most classes are currently being offered at Milagros Boutique, however scheduling is easy and flexible—you can either come to me or I can come to you! Ask for details. For more details on class and event schedules please go to: http://www.mysmarthands.com/Site/Maria,_Baby_Sign_Language_Instructor,_Portland_Oregon_.html

OR http://www.milagrosboutique.com/

Do you belong to a playgroup or other child related group? I am also happy to come and speak on the benefits of using sign and give an introduction to the program. Call or email today to book a FREE “Sign and Play Group” for you.

HOW TO REGISTAR: Contact Maria Gross at maria@mysmarthands.com or call 503-312-2216. Pre-registration is required.

Affordable childbirth education workshop offered by experienced labor and delivery nurse

Hey there mamas and mamas-to-be!  I am an experienced labor and delivery nurse (and mama to a 1 year old little girl, Sloane :)  offering childbirth education workshops in the Portland Metro. area.  Please log onto my website at www.babyloveworkshop.com to find out more.  Let me give you the INSIDE scoop on hospital deliveries!  Thanks! Dena

Baby & Toddler Music Class: urbanMamas Special!

Hi Mamas - I just love this website! I can't get enough as a mother of a 13 month old. My name is Robyn and I have had a music school in NE Portland for the last 10 years and in honor of our anniversary, I have added baby music classes! The MusikGarten program for infant to 5 years has come to inner NE Portland! And to celebrate we are having a discount on enrollment for the next 7 days (till September 17th). The cost is only $195 for 15 weeks and that is including materials, instruments, parent books, and CD to use at home. The regular price is $220 so I would love to meet other Urban Mama lovers in our baby music classes. Please call or email for more information - info@pianowerks.com or http://www.musicwerksstudio.com the Studio number is 503-287-5028

Infant/Toddler Music Class

I am starting an Infant / Toddler music class at Hollywood Music Education Center in NE Portland (Sandy and 42nd). Here's what you get with "Music & Me" (parent / child music class):

*Instrument Play
* Melodies specific to age group with Movements
* Some sign language incorporated
* Rhythm and coordination
* Interactive parent / child wiggles, rhymes, and songs


Classes are Mondays OR Wednesdays for 30 minutes. Session is 10 weeks long.
9:15 - Non-walkers
10:00 - Toddlers
10:45 Preschoolers up to age 4

Siblings 8 months and younger attend free with one paid child.

Monday, May 5 or Wednesday, May 7 start date.

Here's the best part - it is LOCALLY owned & operated. Not a national franchise. Support a local mama!

$90 for 10 weeks + $10 registrations fee which can be WAIVED if you say you are from UrbanMamas!

For more information, call Vanessa 503-347-2783