Jordan Schutz's E-Portfolio

This week has been one of those weeks where life has just felt so busy! And I have to admit that I didn’t dedicate as much time to my ASL

major learning project as I had hoped. Even though I seem to keep losing my streak on the ASL Pocket Sign App, I’m still happy to say that I am currently at Level 32 and am continuing to practice when I can. The focus of my lesson these past couple of days was on food signs, which has been a fun and practical topic to learn (many of which I hope and plan to use in my final project)! It has been neat learning words that I can use at home with our daughter, Blakely, especially during our meal times. The app has been nice as it teaches me new signs for everyday words, while also showing me a relevant associated picture, and then is similar to a gradual release of responsibility by then giving me three options of words to choose from earlier, then eventually fill in the blank phrases of words and signs that I should already know from earlier lessons (see example to the right). And on a side note- I am very impressed with how much I have been using the signs that I have been learning throughout these past few weeks to sign on a daily basis to Blakely (progress is slowly, but surely being made)!

Additionally, I have also continued to use babysignlanguage.com, one of which has definitely been one my favorite learning tools lately! I still just really love how you can click on any word and see not just how to sign it, but also a short explanation, a demonstration video, and even useful and free downloadable flashcards. I have been using and saving several flashcards from this website to use for my Canva slideshow project that I am turning into a video for Blakely. I feel as though the flashcards make an awesome visual addition to many of the slides and will help with connecting the signs to their meanings.

Our now 9-month old daughter is a very happy and active girl, but whenever she does get upset for whatever reason, she LOVES Ms. Rachel so we will show her one of her videos if we ever need that saving grace. But my wife and I do not mind as we at least like that she used to be a teacher before she got so famous and her videos are quite educational and do teach babies and toddlers important skills and concepts. That being said, Ms. Rachel often used baby sign language in many of her videos and the other day my wife and I played the following video for Blakely. It was a win as she was happy because she got her Ms. Rachel and I got to reinforce and do these basic baby signs for Blakely which was perfect as I am contributing to and learning more signs for my major learning project.

Honestly, I am quite disappointed with how short this blog post of mine is this week and my overall productivity with my major learning project, however this has also been fuel for me to continue learning and to do more for this project come next week’s update! And besides, I am aware that some weeks are full of so much progress, while others are slower. My goal for next week is to check out some new and refreshing videos, apps, websites and other platforms, as well as to add a few more slides for my ASL Canva final project.

Slow progress is still progress, and I am still proud of the learning that is happening, one sign at a time!

Weekend Reflections (and a little debate…)

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go to Saskatoon as a replacement councilor for Prairie Valley Teachers’ Association at this year’s Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation annual fall councilor conference. It was a great experience to connect with other teachers across the province and to discuss all educational topics, although at supper one evening, one conversation took a bit of a turn…

Somehow naturally, the topic of my major learning project of ASL was brought up and a few of us started debating whether or not teaching a baby ASL delays their speech. I stood my ground, confidently sharing that it is in fact just a myth. I remembered what Jess had told me in our interview the other week and that using ASL actually supports communication, not delays it. Babies who sign tend to feel less frustrated because they can express themselves before they can talk.

 

Using Research to Bust the Myth

After that conversation, when I came home I had to do some digging myself. I found a research article by Goodwyn, Acredolo, & Brown (2000) published in Child Development that supports exactly what Jess said. From the abstract of the article, “results provide strong evidence that symbolic gesturing does not hamper verbal development and may even facilitate it” (p. 81). Their study found that babies who used symbolic gestures (like basic signs) actually developed stronger verbal skills later on compared to those who didn’t use signs. So, I feel like I won that argument and that no, signing doesn’t delay speech, if anything, it enhances it!

Reference:
Goodwyn, S. W., Acredolo, L. P., & Brown, C. A. (2000). Impact of symbolic gesturing on early language development. Child Development, 71(2), 231–239.

 

Looking Ahead

My plan for the next week is to continue building my Canva slides, record a few short video clips of me signing and talking to Blakely and start piecing everything together in my final project video. I plan to keep using BabySignLanguage.com and the flashcards and videos to reinforce my signs and to make sure that everything is accurate and clear, as well as to continue to learn more signs to use with Blakely and in my final project.

This week really reminded me that learning a new language, such as ASL, truly is so rewarding. It’s not just about the signs themselves, but it is about the connections they help build between parents and their children. I am so thankful that Jess was able to show me some of her recommended resources as that has been such a rewarding takeaway that I am excited to keep exploring!

Until next time…

Jordan Schutz

My Major Learning Project Update

This week has been another exciting one for my ASL learning journey! My main focus has been on adding slides to my Canva video project that I am creating for my daughter, Blakely. The video will be a baby sign language gift for her, something special that will blend what I am learning with something that she will be able to use as she grows up.

I have started putting together some of the visuals for my slides, and I will be sharing a couple of sneak peaks beside and below. They’re not quite finished yet since I still need to add some short video clips of me signing and talking to Blakely, but it is starting to come together nicely! Seeing my learning into something visual and meaningful has made me even more motivated to keep learning and to keep going!

Finding a Hidden Gem: BabySignLanguage.com

After last week’s interview with Jess (Owner of Stay n’ Play Parenting), I decided to check out a few of the ASL resources that she recommended. One that has completely changed my learning this week is babysignlangauge.com. Honestly, I wish I had discovered this website and resource from the beginning of my learning journey! It’s so well-organized and easy to use. Each word (such as breakfast)  includes:

• A short explanation of how and when to use the sign
• A video demonstration of the sign in action
• A free downloadable flashcard with a picture and clear visual of how to make the sign
• A list of related signs such as lunch, drink, apple, etc.

 

A Weekend of “Sing & Sign” Fun

Over the last couple of weeks, my major learning project has continued to grow in the best way possible. I was fortunate enough to attend another Sing & Sign session led by Jess, the owner of Stay ‘n’ Play Parenting. This one took place at the Bump, Babe, and Beyond Expo at the Conexus Arts Centre here in Regina where my wife was working at one of the booths! It worked out perfectly as I was able to join in the class with our daughter, Blakely. The theme that day was animals, and it was such a fun, hands-on learning experience. We sang, signed, and played together while learning new ASL signs such as dog, cat, bird, cow, horse, sheep and elephant. I was amazed at how naturally Jess ties signs into music and movement; it made learning feel effortless and memorable. It was also just so special to share that experience as a family.

Interview with Jess (Stay ‘n’ Play Parenting Owner)

This past week I also had the privilege of interviewing Jess about her background, experiences, and passion for bringing baby sign language to families in Regina. Her story is incredibly inspiring (especially her journey from being a preschool teacher to becoming a Deaf ally and advocate after learning ASL to communicate with her own daughter).

1. What inspired you to start the Stay ‘n’ Play Parenting Network?

I used to be a preschool teacher 2014-2018 and saw that my kids were really enjoying learning signs throughout our routines. Resources for families in Regina before preschool age was really limited at the time, so I made the switch from preschool to postpartum/toddlerhood to support families during a difficult time of the parenting journey.

2. How did you first get into sign language?

I started using ASL in 2014, when my now 12.5 yr old was 16 months. It was around this time we found out she had a severe-profound bilateral hearing loss. We had never met a Deaf person in our life, and knew no sign language at the time. We went looking for funding to help cover her first pair of hearing aids, and reached out to Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing services. They provided us with something even better than financial support; they gave us a language to communicate with her as she was significantly speech delayed for quite a long time. I have taken several classes through them (some even twice just to refresh), and am an active member in the Regina Deaf community, as well as a Deaf Ally and Advocate. Although now she prefers to be more oral, there are times she still requires ASL; such as on her tech-free days to be included in conversations, if the listening environment is too loud for clarification, as well as in the classroom for understanding of teacher instructions.

3. What online resources or apps do you highly recommend to someone who is wanting to learn ASL or baby sign language?

–Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services: Online and in person ASL classes for adults taught by Deaf individuals. Also provide interpreting services and other supports for DHH individuals and their families.

-My Signing Time App: Kid friendly subscription app that has all of Two Little Hands Productions content on it for viewing. Created by a mom with a DHH child to help other families have a resource to learn ASL.

-ASL Nook: Deaf created, kid-friendly YouTube channel.

-Bill Vicars/Lifeprint: Deaf created website that has videos of basic ASL, as well as practice lessons

–BabySignlanguage.com : Online resource with basic ASL to use with communication. I’m not sure of their backstory, but I found them helpful when we were first learning.

4. From your experience, what are the biggest benefits of baby sign language for children and families?

We signed with all four of our kids, and it made a world of difference being able to communicate with them a little bit earlier. Our eldest boy had a bit of a speech delay, as we were mostly signing in the house at the time, so having ASL helped him still be able to communicate with us. Our hearing kids were less frustrated as toddlers because they could tell us what they wanted before they could talk.

5. Do you find certain signs are especially helpful for babies to learn first?

Eat, more, please, all done, milk are usually the first signs babies learn first. They are the most developmentally friendly with their simplicity, and they are power words to get what they need. Not all signs are made correctly when babies start expressing themselves through sign, a lot of time it’s an approximation, but they still count as communication.

6. Are there any common misconceptions parents have about baby sign language?

Yes! It is believed that if they use sign language they won’t learn to talk. This is especially real for DHH children, with many being denied access to their right to language because of this audist view. Many DHH children and their families (ours included) have been denied services because of our decision to use a bi-lingual, bi-cultural approach.

7. What does a typical Sign & Sign class look like?

We usually start with our opening exercises, then an overview of the signs we’ll explore, followed by activities, then closing exercises with a review of signs from the day. Families are emailed a short video recap for reference, as well as lyrics to songs to use at home.

8. How do you see baby sign language connecting families to the larger Deaf/Hard of Hearing community, if at all?

All signs in our Sing and Sign class use real ASL, we are just highlighting key words rather than creating complete ASL sentences (the grammar and syntax are completely different from English, and should be taught by a Deaf adult). So if someone from Sing and Sign met a DHH person, they could use content from class and the DHH should understand their point. It also helps spread awareness for the DHH community and that diversity is beautiful.

9. Can you share a success story or memorable moment from a family in your program that really showed the impact of baby sign language?

Oooo so many… Not a specific moment, but I love to see when a child makes an impromptu sign during class. We often work on more with an intention to repeat an activity so many times. Sometimes babes will enjoy the activity so much that they’ll sign for more unprompted, so we do it one more time to solidify the understanding of more.

10. Where do you see baby sign language education heading in the next 5–10 years? Do you think it will become more mainstream for families and early learning programs?

Yes! I think DHH awareness is really spreading and more families are becoming interested in using ASL to communicate with their littles. It is definitely becoming more mainstream even within the last 5 years, which is great for everyone!

 

I loved Jess’s emphasis on connection and inclusion. Her passion for ASL not only supports communication for little ones but also helps bridge hearing and Deaf communities through awareness and understanding.

Learning Through Apps and Daily Practice

Outside of these in-person experiences, I have continued with my daily ASL Pocket Sign app lessons. Although I tend to lose my streak here and there when I seem to get caught up in the business of things, I am proud to say that I am now on level 26! Each session adds to my vocabulary and helps reinforce what I’ve learned through real-life interactions such as the Sing & Sign classes.

Recently, I’ve also started planning my final project baby sign language video for Blakely that I’ll create using Canva. It’ll feature the everyday signs we use at home, like more, please, eat, all done, and milk, along with some new ones I’ve picked up along the way. I want it to feel like a fun “Ms. Rachel style” family video that she can watch (and sign along with!) while I’m away at work.

Reflections & Takeaways

This week really reminded me how powerful and important language can be in connecting people, especially when it’s a visual and expressive one such as ASL. I have learned that ASL is about so much more than just learning hand signs. ASL is also about building connections, finding new ways to communicate, and appreciating all the different ways people can share meaning and communicate with each other.

I’m extremely grateful for people like Jess who make learning accessible, joyful, and meaningful for families like mine. I can already see how baby sign language is helping us connect with Blakely in small but powerful ways. (Huge shoutout to Jess for taking her time out of her busy schedule to do this interview with me!!)

Next week, I plan to continue exploring additional and other online ASL content, such as the ones mentioned by Jess and keep building my Canva project slides for my final project. I’m excited to bring all of these pieces together into a final product that reflects what I have learned, while also supporting my family!

Until next time,

Jordan Schutz

So far, this week has been both meaningful and productive for my ASL learning project. With our day off yesterday for the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, my wife, daughter, and I attended one of the Stay ‘n’ Play Parenting Sing & Sign classes that my wife and daughter have been attending weekly. It was an absolute treat to join them as not only was it a chance for quality family time, but it was also the perfect opportunity to tie into my course project of ASL learning.

The theme of this week’s class was all about family (I know… how fitting is this, right?). Some signs I already knew such as Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, but I was excited to add new ones such as brother, sister, auntie and uncle. We learned the signs, read a children’s book, played with noise makers, and sang songs such as Baby Shark (YouTube’s #1 most viewed song as I learned this past week in our class activity), and other family-themed children’s songs and lullabies. At the end of the class, I asked Jess (the class leader and Stay ‘n’ Play Parenting Network owner), if she would be open to an interview for my blog next week. She kindly agreed, so stay tuned!!

Outside of the class, I have continued with my daily ASL Pocket Sign sessions (but sadly lost my streak last weekend due to coaching a senior girls volleyball tournament), and started branching into other online resources. Two YouTube videos I watched this week were Basic ASL Information for Beginners and Learn ASL Alphabet ABCs. These videos gave me the foundation that I needed before going too far into my learning journey. I even remembered some of the alphabet signs from my first year of teaching when I had a hard of hearing student, which made the review even more personal and meaningful.

Looking ahead, I plan to interview Jess later this week or early next week, as well as keep expanding my daily sign vocabulary, and even start mapping out my outline and template for my ASL final project video. This week has certainly reminded me how rewarding it feels when my learning project overlaps with both my life as a teacher and being a dad.

Update & Challenges

This past week, my ASL learning journey has definitely been an eye opener as it has brought many challenges and successes as I learn to navigate ASL and the beginning of my major learning project. I’ve run into one of my first challenges: there are SO many incredible ASL apps and resources available, but most of them require a monthly or yearly subscription to unlock the full content. While that shows how valuable and in demand ASL learning is, it can feel a bit overwhelming to sort through the options and make sure I’m using the best tools without breaking the bank.

That being said, I have really been enjoying the free version of ASL Pocket Sign. I’ve been keeping up with my daily sessions and I am proud to say that I am on a 6-day streak and currently at Level 9. Each day, I feel like I am slowly building my vocabulary and confidence with the basics. This past week I have been learning and working on some of the basics including greetings, colors, and some foods. In today’s lesson, I also began learning ASL possessions.

 

My wife and our 7-month old baby have also been attending their weekly sessions at the Stay ‘n’ Play Parenting Sign & Sign classes and come home afterwards to teach me what they have learned. Check out the video below to see them teaching me the ASL version of the “5 Little Monkeys” children’s nursery rhyme.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fVXYCDdyyFA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homework

I plan to continue my daily free lessons on the ASL Pocket Sign app as I continue to build my ASL vocabulary and knowledge. It is also my goal for this upcoming week is to branch out beyond the app that I am currently using by also watching some YouTube videos and exploring other free resources to continue practicing. Does anybody have any recommendations on any!? See the picture below of the book (My First Book of Baby Signs) that we bought on Amazon to help me learn some baby ASL signs to teach our daughter, Blakely.

Final Product 

As I shared in my introduction post for this project, my end goal is to create a baby sign video (inspired by Ms. Rachel’s style) to leave as a gift for our daughter, Blakely. This will be something special for her to watch on days when I’m away at work, while also showcasing the progress I’ve made in ASL over the next few months. To stay on track, I plan to begin drafting a video outline soon so I’m ready to start pulling everything together.

Overall, I am really encouraged by the progress that I’ve made so far and the new routines I’m building into my day. Learning ASL has already shown me the value of consistency and creativity in using different resources for learning new skills. I know there will be several challenges along the way, but I hope to remain motivated by both my role as an educator and as a dad to keep pushing forward in this learning journey!

For our EC&I831 major learning project, I have decided to focus on learning American Sign Language (ASL). I feel as though this would be both a personal and professional skill to build as an educator. One of the main reasons I am choosing ASL for this learning project is because of an experience that I encountered in my very first year of teaching. I taught a student who used ASL and I wasn’t equipped with the skills to properly communicate or support him in the way I would have liked to. That experience has stayed with me and I am aware that building my own understanding of ASL could make me a better teacher for future students.

Another big reason for wanting to learn ASL is a personal reason that comes from home. My wife and I have an 8-month old daughter at home and we are wanting to work hard on learning and using ASL with her for early communication. Currently, I only know a small amount of basic signs such as “Mom”, “Dad”, and “more”. I would love to expand and learn many new signs so that I can actually use ASL in meaningful ways with her. One of my goals for this project is to create a video of everything that I have learned throughout the next upcoming few months so that my wife can play it for our daughter while I am away at work (similar to the very popular Ms. Rachel kid’s videos). I think this would not only help me practice, but also create a special resource to have with her for the rest of her childhood and life.

To achieve my goal of learning ASL and creating a video for my final project, I plan to use a variety of online platforms and resources, including several ASL and baby sign language apps, videos, and tutorials. My wife and baby are also attending weekly in-person Sing & Sign classes through the Stay ‘n’ Play Parenting Network Program that they will be sharing and teaching me as well. I plan to document my progress as I go and record all new signs that I learn each week, as well as reflect on what resources and learning platforms are most useful and effective, and what challenges I encounter.

I am looking forward to seeing how much I can learn over the next few months! Please feel free to give me any suggestions or feedback on how to best approach this learning journey!