Hello!
We are very excited to launch our new project called Hands Land: ASL Rhymes and Rhythms. This project focuses on creating educational resources for young children who are learning American Sign Language.
We, Leala Holcomb, Jonathan McMillan, and Amanda Sortwell, are Deaf native signers who have benefitted tremendously from ASL rhymes and rhythms while growing up. Our Deaf parents used ASL rhymes and rhythms to sign songs to us during bath time, bed time, nap time, and many more. We hold those memories close to heart, and want others to have as much fun acquiring language as we did. Rhymes and rhythms make children's language acquisition process incredibly fun, facilitate language development, and boost the parent-child bond.
We will make a DVD full of original ASL rhymes and rhythms covering a wide range of themes including but not limited to colors, animals, numbers, routines, and many more!
With your support, we will be able to expand educational resources in ASL for young children. With your support, we will be able to visit schools (upon request) and give workshops on how teachers and families are able to maximize the benefits of using the Hands Land: ASL Rhymes and Rhythms DVD. And above all, with your support... young children will be able to thrive with ASL!
The Hands Land: ASL Rhymes and Rhythms DVD will be released in September, 2015 exclusively to our supporters who donated $50 or more. The DVDs will be open for sales to the public in December, 2015.
Leala Holcomb has a Master's degree in Deaf Education. She was a pioneer in developing ASL rhymes and rhythms resources for young Deaf children when she taught at California School for the Deaf in Fremont.
Jonathan McMillan is currently working towards his Master's degree in Sign Language Education. He used to work as a Sign Language Model with AmeriCorps in New Mexico, and enjoys exploring the linguistics of American Sign Language.
Amanda Sortwell has a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has a strong foundation in working with hearing families of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, and educating people about the value of family-child relationships.
Each partner brings unique knowledge and experience into this amazing project called Hands Land: American Sign Language (ASL) Rhymes & Rhythms. This project can’t happen without your help and support! Your donation will make a world of difference in young children’s experience with acquiring American Sign Language.
Where Will Your Money Go?
We will create an exciting and educative DVD full of original ASL rhymes and rhythms. It is our goal to turn this DVD into an app if our finances permit it. Your donation will help with paying for signers, illustrators, actors, editors, producers, website, transportation, DVDS, shipping fees, and hopefully an app developer.
Your contribution will make a huge difference in ASL-English bilingual children's lives.
By creating the DVD, families and teachers will be able to...
- Increase children's prediction and memorization skills
- Promote interaction amongst parents and children through language play
- Give job opportunities to Deaf artists, educators, performers and editors
- Make the joys of rhymes and rhythms accessible to young children through American Sign Language.
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Can't Donate?
Other Ways You Can Help!
- Get the word out and raise awareness about this great project with the world!
- Go to our Hands Land: ASL Rhymes & Rhythms Facebook Page - Like our page & share our FB page with your friends
- Email us to express your interest in helping us with the process of creating original ASL rhymes and rhythms
- Express your interest in illustrating backgrounds for our songs!
