'Sign Language Dreams' Teaches Kids to Communicate

If your children are interested in learning more about American Sign Language (ASL) or they just want to have fun, the will host "Sign Language Dreams" on Tuesday. There will be three shows at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Kathy MacMillan is a signing storyteller who teaches children ASL and introduces them to deaf culture. At other shows at county libraries, she's entertained and educated the crowd with stories, songs and audience participation.

One of MacMillan’s recent shows took children through an adventure following a dog as it encountered various forest creatures.

“Part of the reason I love this is because I’m able to introduce deaf culture," MacMillan said. "I get to teach the parents a bit, too.”

Throughout the show, children learned various signs for greetings, animals and themed vocabulary like dreams, night and sleep.

For a room filled with children, the program was relatively quiet as MacMillan encouraged attendants to communicate with their hands and facial expressions instead of shouting or speaking.

At one point, MacMillan recommended that parents have their kids watch television with the captions on as a way to increase a child’s reading ability.

This summer is the second year MacMillan has partnered with Anne Arundel County libraries, but the Owings Mills resident said she’s been working as an interpreter and ASL educator since the early 2000s.

“Kids pick up ASL really quickly,” MacMillan said. “They’re wired for languages.”

As she spoke with people after the show, MacMillan even subconsciously signed various words, but she said it happens all the time. The specialized teacher takes “talking with your hands,” to a whole new level.  

If you can't make the Crofton show, check Anne Arundel County libraries’ Sign Language Dreams website to see where MacMillan is headed next.

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