Portland Early Learning Project Teaches Language

By Brooke Strickland

Christina Webb Schabow and Kara DeGiovanni started an organization to introduce two programs that teach language learning and literacy skills to infants, toddlers, elementary-age kids, and their families. American Sign Language and Spanish are Portland Early Learning Project’s primary focus.

For babies as young as six months, the first sign classes introduce basic signs, such as “mom,” “more,” “all done,” and “please.” Christina Webb Schabow says, “By signing with your baby, you give him or her a way to communicate needs, thoughts and feelings well before he or she is able to speak… having the ability [communicate] will reduce stress and is emotionally satisfying.” She goes on to say that for many parents, trying to discern what their baby needs is often difficult. Sign language can help. Communication also forges a stronger, more intimate connection between parent and child.

According to Schabow: “Children who sign often speak earlier and more prolifically than children who have not had the same communication experience early on.” Many educators say these kinds of programs provide lasting benefits for your baby early on in his or her brain development.

The Portland Early Learning Project’s Spanish in Play program uses a multi-faceted approach to improve spoken Spanish and improve native-language communication skills, says Schabow. By incorporating three major components of communication—visual; verbal/auditory; and physical—the classes focus on “total communication.”

Maybe you’re concerned that as a parent, you won’t know Spanish as well as your child. Schabow says, “What we really hope families gain from classes is to respect and enjoy the Spanish language, to feel empowered to use it in and outside of class, and to feel good at it so that when they have the opportunity to learn more Spanish…they will.” The organization provides families with support, lesson plan summaries, language explanations, and other helpful ideas for playing and practicing the language at home, which help parents learn the language and support children in learning a second language.

Understanding and embracing the diverse culture that both we and our children live in is important to personal and cognitive development, and using language in a new way is an innovative and effective way to connect with your child.

Portland Early Learning Project
3644 NE 46th Ave
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 284-0610
www.portlandearlylearning.com