Baby Signs with Dawn

My name is Dawn Christerson and I am a Baby Signs® Independent Certified Instructor and On the Grow™ Instructor. I have a BS in Deaf Education from Bowling Green State University in OH. I am certified (FL) in Deaf Ed K-12 and Elementary Ed K-6. I have taught K-5 Deaf/Hard of Hearing at South Ocala Elementary School in Marion County and Pre-K D/HH at Dwight D Eisenhower Elementary School in Palm Beach County. I recently switched over to interpreting, and I am currently working as an Educational Interpreter at South Ocala Elementary School in Marion County. I have an EIPA level 3.5.

I am a wife to Kyle and mother to 4 year old daughter Marleigh. I have been signing with her since birth. I can't tell you how amazed I was the first time she signed "milk" to me! Being able to have my daughter communicate her desires & feelings to me before being able to vocalize has helped cut down the frustration & confusion for us both. I would like to help other parents/caregivers reduce frustrations and open up a new line of communication that will allow their babies to share their worlds.

Ever Wonder What Your Baby is thinking? Or Why Your Baby is crying?
Using the BABY SIGNS® Program gives babies a way to “talk” with their parents before they can talk. Babies can communicate about the world around them long before they have mastered their verbal speaking skills!
Babies and their parents can use simple signs to communicate important things – like being hungry or thirsty, hot or cold, afraid or sad – often a full year before babies could otherwise speak.
Research has proven that using the BABY SIGNS® Program has dramatic benefits, including decreasing frustration for babies and parents, enriching the parent-child bond, boosting emotional development, helping babies talk sooner – even raising IQ.