Meet Laura Payne | Baby Sign Language Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Payne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am a Teacher of the Deaf and have known sign language since the first grade. After my daughter was born in 2018, I resigned from the classroom and joined a local moms’ group. One conversation lead to another, and before I knew it, I was teaching almost 20 moms how to use sign language with their babies!

It became very clear in those first few months that the mass marketed “baby sign language” books and resources include incorrect and made up signs as well as illustrations that don’t do a good job showing the signs clearly. Many of the moms I was teaching were confused and overwhelmed.

I quickly realized that these “expert” companies and books were far from experts. I created my business to better educate parents about the importance of using ASL signs when learning sign language for their babies and toddlers for early communication skills. American Sign Language is the native language of the Deaf culture, which should be honored and respected.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Sets me apart: My mission is to better educate parents about the importance of using ASL signs when learning sign language for their babies and toddlers for early communication skills. American Sign Language is the native language of the Deaf culture, which should be honored and respected.

I also teach parents one very important piece of the puzzle that is often missing in many “baby sign language” resources: the effective techniques and strategies that will successfully lessen frustrations and lead to more bonding in their homes. When it comes down to it, knowing the signs themselves will only get you so far. Understanding HOW to use them with your young child is the key to success!

Easy/challenges/lessons:
Solopreneurship, as well as creating a business around social media, is full of learning curves. Never did I think I would be a social media content creator + website designer + email strategist + data analysis. I am so thankful for the friends I have made as we navigate this world together, Google and YouTube rabbit holes about hashtags and website coding, and the endless experts that have consulted with me and helped this passion and vision come true. It has been a very fun journey and I look forward to what lies ahead.

Brand:
All of my courses for parents, such as Look Who’s Signing Now, are digital courses. You can start them at any time, go at your own pace, and refer back to them as needed. It’s not about a vocabulary list by age, but rather all about having your child at the center. I have broken it down into very manageable steps, so parents are confident and successful!

I also provide in-service trainings for early childhood centers and programs, such as daycares and Mother’s Day Outs. Having families and childcare facilities working together is very important and beneficial to the young ones. These can be in person, a live webinar, or pre-recorded.

Story:
My elementary school had the Deaf Education program for the district and I instantly became best friends with many of the Deaf students, despite the language barrier. I picked up sign language as fast as I could – playing with them during recess, watching their teacher sign in our classroom, going on special field trips, and joining the Sign Choir in 3rd grade.

I went to college for my undergraduate degree where I majored in Deaf Education. That is where I formally studied American Sign Language (ASL), learned from Deaf professors, and spent time shadowing teachers at Texas School for the Deaf which was just a few miles away. I then went to grad school, getting my master’s degree in Education of the Deaf.

I became a classroom teacher in the Deaf Education program in Fort Bend ISD (known as the Regional Day School Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing). I taught 3-year-olds through 4th graders during my time there and loved my students dearly.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We all have young children, so it would be a mix of family friendly and adult only.

To eat: mexican food spots like Original Ninfas, Goode Company Cantina, and El Tiempo. Daily Gather in City Center with some shopping before/after (sans-kids). And we’d have to do a fun date night somewhere in the Heights – they have some of my favorite spots – too many to name!

To drink: reverse happy hour at Postino on Mondays and Tuesdays is one of my favorite places for a girls night.

We would take the kids to explore in Edith Moore Nature Sanctuary, Memorial Park, Terry Hershey Park, and play places like Second City at Second Baptist Church.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Hands down my husband. He has supported and encouraged me from the first “I was thinking about…” conversation we had back in early 2019. He is quick to celebrate my wins, be my sounding board when I’m thinking of new ideas, and encourager when I hit roadblocks.

I also have to shoutout my first two coaches: Allie Reeves and Caitlin Howard. Both of them gave me the confidence that my expertise and passion was something parents needed. Allie encouraged me to start talking about it on my social media platforms and Caitlin helped me pivot and refine my initial business model.

And of course the friends I’ve made on social media along the way, the families who share how I have helped their little one’s communication, and to the other coaches and experts that have supported me in all areas of my business.

It truly is a wonderful village!

Website: https://www.laurapayneco.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mybaby.signs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mybabysigns.laurapayne

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mybaby_signs Free Guide “Get Started Now”: https://www.laurapayneco.com/free-baby-sign-language-guide

Image Credits
Lauren Holub Photography