Big Feelings and Really Big Teddy Bears: Elevate Your Summer with Our NEW Baby Signs Course!

If you have ever been in the middle of lunch and your eighteen-month-old dissolved into a puddle of absolute despair because you peeled the banana "the wrong way," you know exactly what I’m talking about. In those moments, your child's world feels very big, very loud, and deeply fragile, and somehow you became the one chosen to witness the explosion.
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While often called the "terrible twos," I like to think of them as emotional growing pains. Your little one has a heart full of desires and a mind buzzing with observations, but their vocal cords and neural pathways for speech just haven't caught up to their internal world yet. It’s an agonizing gap for them, and for us.
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But what if I told you there’s a bridge? A way to peek into their "Inside Out" world before they can even say "Mama"? That is the magic of baby sign language classes.

The "Inside Out" Connection: Giving Joy and Sadness a Hand

Remember the movie Inside Out? It perfectly illustrates the colorful, chaotic control center inside all of us. For a toddler, those characters ~ Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust ~ are running the show at full speed, but the "control panel" doesn't have a speaker attached yet.
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When we teach our babies to sign, we aren't just teaching them "tricks." We are giving Joy a megaphone and helping Sadness feel seen. In my experience, when a child can sign "SAD" or "MAD" instead of just screaming, the energy in the room shifts instantly. You move from a place of guessing to a place of knowing. There is such a tender peace that comes when a child realizes, “Oh, she understands me.”
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Announcing: Our "More Sign Say & Play" Summer Adventure!

I am so incredibly excited to announce our upcoming summer series: More Sign Say & Play, beginning June 10! This is a special six-session journey designed for families with little ones aged 6–24 months. And here is a little secret: you don't need to have taken the first Sign Say & Play series to join us. We are starting fresh and diving deep!
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This summer, we are doing something brand new. We’re blending the convenience of virtual learning with the community-building and fun of local Twin Cities field trips. We’ll meet online to learn our signs, and then we’ll take those signs "into the wild" to practice them together.
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Our Summer Themes

Each session is crafted to help your child communicate about their outer world and their inner heart. We’ll be exploring:

• Feelings: Remember those Inside Out friends? Give your child a head start on EQ.
• Outside: Learning signs for cars, planes, and play!
• Safety: Vital signs like "stop," "hot," and "hurt" that provide a layer of protection.
• Farm: We'll sing "Old MacDonald" and learn signs straight from the horse's mouth!
• Zoo: Because every toddler needs to know how to talk about a giraffe.
• Birthday: Celebrating the gift of life and the milestones we reach together.

From the Screen to the Park: Our Local Field Trips

One of the things I love most about St. Croix Birth & Parenting is the community we build. Especially in Minnesota, summer is SHORT! We have to take time to enjoy the green and growing world around us before it's gone again for another long winter. Therefore, this summer, we aren't just learning behind screens. We have three awesome field trips out in the world planned for our local Twin Cities families:

1. Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater

We’ll be heading to the iconic Teddy Bear Park to practice our "Outside" and "Play" signs. There is something so joyful about witnessing a toddler invite a new friend to "PLAY" while standing in the shadow of a giant bear. It’s a wonderful way for big siblings to get involved, too: they are always welcome to join the fun!
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2. The Como Zoo in St. Paul

Is there anything better than a summer day at Como? We’ll use our "Zoo" session to name the animals we see. When your child points and signs "MONKEY," they aren't just identifying a creature; they are sharing a thought with you. That connection is a pure blessing from God.
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3. A Local Farm Adventure

We are currently finalizing the perfect farm location (stay tuned!), where we will put our "Farm" signs to the test. Imagine your little one signing "COW" or "CHICKEN" while actually hearing the sounds and smelling the hay. It grounds their learning in a sensory-rich reality that sticks.
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Why This Matters (The "Real Talk" Version)

I know your schedule is packed. I know the idea of adding "one more thing" can feel overwhelming. But I want to give you permission to see this not as a chore, but as an investment in your peace...and proactively laying the foundation for a lifetime of better communication with your child.

Research shows that baby sign language can actually boost neural pathways and support later literacy. But more importantly, it reduces the "hormonal suppression" of frustration. When a child can communicate, their cortisol levels drop. And mama, when their cortisol drops, yours does too.
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You are not alone in the struggle of the toddler years. Your story matters, and your child’s voice ~ even if it’s currently only expressed through their hands ~ is a gift.

Join Us This Summer!

Whether you are a first-time parent or a seasoned pro with a van full of kids, there is a place for you in More Sign Say & Play.
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• When: Starting June 10
• Who: Parents and little ones (6-24 months), siblings welcome!
• Where: Virtual sessions + 3 bonus Twin Cities field trips (two are free!)
• Return on Investment: A lifetime of better communication!

You can find all the details and register here to grab your spot.
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I can’t wait to see your little ones' faces light up when they realize they finally have the words or the signs to tell you exactly what’s on their mind. It is a beautiful, tender journey, and I would be honored to be your guide.
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What is one thing your toddler is currently trying "so hard" to tell you? Share your stories (and your frustrations!) in the comments below: let’s support each other!
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With love and blessings,
~Christelle