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Kimberling Area Library to feature sign language in children's program
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
Kimberling Area Library is excited to announce that the Children’s Story Time for Monday, March 10, will feature American Sign Language interpreter Regina Smith. Smith’s presentation will include signing along with books read by children’s programming director Abbey Everett, followed by some fun activities for kids in attendance, such as learning to sign the alphabet or names of animals.
Regina Smith, NIC, OTC, is a certified sign language interpreter who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and ASL interpreting. She has been an interpreter for over 30 years in a variety of settings, including Video Remote Interpreting and Video Relay Services as well as serving in churches, hospitals and other community settings.
“I love bridging communication, creating meaningful connections for people, and providing equal access to communication,” said Smith. She became interested in sign language during her high school years after seeing an UpWith People presentation, and children’s communication became even closer to her heart when her oldest daughter was born deaf. After moving to the Branson area last summer following her husband’s retirement, Smith is enjoying living in the Table Rock Lake area and working in real estate, along with continuing to use her sign language skills to serve in the community.
Research has shown that early exposure to sign language is a huge boost to overall language processing development and learning skills in deaf children. This presentation will be a wonderfully inclusive opportunity for families with deaf children, or a way to build interest in ASL for children who interact with deaf family members, church and school friends, etc. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Library, 45 Kimberling Blvd. in Kimberling City. See Reader’s Corner column in this Globe issue for additional children’s programming scheduled for this spring.
