By Breann Howell, Reporter

It is likely that when your 1-year-old wants some Cheerios for a snack, he points in the general direction of the cupboard and begins to scream or mumble words in an incoherent language, while you frantically begin to pull items off the shelf in an attempt to appease the child.

Parents and caregivers do not have to struggle through this guessing game on a daily basis, according to Kindermusik teacher, Wendy Jones.

For the first time, Jones has begun to offer a Sign and Sing class in her studio at the Clarence United Methodist Church, 10205 Greiner Road. Sign and Sing is for children 6 months to 2 1⁄2 years. The class combines American Sign Language with a music class atmosphere.

“We are focusing on conceptual grouping,” Jones said. “We don’t need to build a sentence vocabulary of 100 to 200 words.”

Jones thinks one of the best things about using sign language is that it is “iconic”.

“The signs look like what they mean,” she said. “There is a visual connection.”

Throughout the 45-minute class, children and grown-ups learn signs for useful words like hungry, cereal, fruit, car, keys, dance, more, stop, up, down, all done, baby, sleep, clean up, and share. They sign while singing and playing.

“The music catches their (the children’s) attention and enhances their focus,” Jones said.

It is important that parents watch for their children to sign and respond to them, according to the teacher. The children might make attempts at signing that are not quite accurate. For instance, to make the sign for cracker, one is supposed to hit his fist to the back of his elbow. However, a child might hit his arm or just shake his fist.

Jones said that some parents and grandparents are concerned that if children can sign, they won’t bother to learn to talk.

“The object is to enhance language, not replace it,” she said. “It builds vocabulary faster. An 8 to 10-month-old might have no words. But an 8 to 10-month old who knows 10 to 15 signs usually knows a few words.”

Jones also noted that the signs add to concept development and increase parent-child communication.

“It’s much nicer for the little one and for mom or dad, when the baby can participate in the conversation,” she said. “Parents can sign while they change a diaper. Your 2-year-old doesn’t have to scream if he can sign that he is hungry.”

Some families choose to participate in Sign and Sing because their child has a speech delay, a learning disability or other special needs, but many are just looking to increase communication skills, according to the teacher.

When parents enroll in the class they receive a guide book with activities, a DVD, and a set of flip cards. They can keep these items and use them at home. Grandparents, other family members and babysitters can reference the flip cards to see what the child is saying, according to Jones.

She said the Sign and Sing curriculum was developed by two publishing companies that produce materials for early childhood learning: Kindermusik International and Signing Smart. The music is intended to enhance the overall learning process.

Teachers have said they can tell which children have been through Kindermusik classes, according to Jones.

“The students want to learn in general when they get to school,” she said.

Jones said she has taught Kindermusik classes for 10 years and was a music therapist before that. She is also the mother of three sons.

“My mom taught me signs when I was three and I have taught them to all three of my boys,” she said. “I still sign with them if I need to tell them something quietly in public. I’d rather sign than scream across the playground.”

Sign and Sing classes run in units. Once the current class finishes the unit, that group will move on with the curriculum and Jones will offer another beginner class of new students. In addition to Sign and Sing, Jones teaches Kindermusik classes for newborns through age 7. For more information on Sign and Sing or Kindermusik, visit www.kindermusikwithwj.com or call 759-1371.