"Music therapist Miller borrows basic signs—like "more," "stop," and "help"—from American Sign Language and makes them memorable for young children by incorporating them into songs.

Singing and signing are great ways to communicate with babies, foster their development and have fun engaging with them. This book contains 13 folk-style songs, simple enough for even the most tone-deaf parents. Each song is presented in a chapter that contains music and lyrics, pictures of the suggested signs, tips for introducing the sign, ideas for games and homemade toys and chapter-themed reading lists. Readers will be inspired by real-life stories of parents who have strengthened their bond with their infants and reduced the frustration of misunderstanding by teaching them to communicate by sign. Features a 13-song CD, 100 black & white photographs and a picture dictionary of the 35 words/signs introduced throughout the book.

Perfect for parents and parents-to-be alike."
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/kirkusreviews/reports/parenting_display.isp?vnu_content_id+1003353334

"Drawing on her background as a music therapist and founder of the Love Language program, Miller (Baby Sing & Sign®) offers a wealth of information about teaching toddlers to communicate better through sign language and song. She demonstrates many easy and practical play-based strategies for integrating sign language and song into the daily lives of families, and the benefits of these exercises these exercises are impressive: they foster language, learning, and motor skills while preventing tantrums.. The book and CD contain 13 songs, each presented in a chapter with music and lyrics, pictures of signs that match the song, tips for introducing the signs, ideas for related games and activities, and theme-related reading lists. A picture dictionary of 35 words/signs that were introduced throughout the book comes at the end, as do a glossary, references, and resources. This easy-to-use guide will help parents teach their children new ways to express themselves and learn more about their world. Highly recommend..."

"Cute, participatory animal-themed songs include hand-signs for value-added fun and learning."

Accessible Arts, Inc. (AAI) and the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) collaborate each year to recognize the valuable work of people who include Kansas children with disabilities in art experiences. To honor these individuals, AAI and KSBE established two awards in 1983, one for Distinguished Service in Arts and Disabilities and one for the Kansas Educator of the Year in Arts and Disabilities. On March 9th, in a ceremony at the Kansas State School for the Blind, the following individuals were honored for demonstrating excellence in service (through the arts) to children with and without disabilities.

Anne Meeker Miller, Ph.D. was selected as the 2004 Educator of the Year. Dr. Miller, is a music therapist for the early childhood special education program of the Blue Valley School District in Overland Park, Kansas. During her career, she has taught music to students from preschool through college levels. She utilizes the intrinsically motivating power of music to engage students in their gross and fine motor development, pre-academic skills, socialization, and attention to task. Her preschool students were the inspiration for her work with sign language and music. She is also interested in fostering a love for books, and uses picture books in musical ways to help children with phonemic awareness, letter recognition, anticipating events, and looking for picture clues.

Through her company, Love Language™ LLC, Miller shows parents and caregivers how to encourage language development of young children by using music, play-based activities and picture books to teach baby sign language. She teaches Baby Sing & Sign™ classes at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, and the second edition of her book and music CD, Baby Sing & Sign™: A Play-filled Language Development Program for Hearing Infants and Toddlers, will be available in April from local booksellers and from her website, www.babysingandsign.com.

Miller piloted the music therapy program for the Olathe School District in 1980, and has advocated for the inclusion of special needs students in public school music programs throughout her career. She wrote and directed a musical revue called "Magic to Do" which integrated junior high students with disabilities and their peers, and she includes exceptional children in all of her ensembles.

Dr. Alice-Ann Darrow, Miller's former professor wrote, "Anne is an exceptional academic in the fields of music therapy and music education….Anne is probably THE most exceptional educator I know - in any discipline…. in her college teaching practicum….Her course preparations put some faculty to shame….what was most appealing was her generosity in sharing her materials with other [graduate students] and faculty without claiming ownership."

From the University of Kansas, Miller earned her Bachelor of Music Education and Music Therapy degrees, Master of Music Education degree with honors, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education degree with honors. She received the Excellence in Teaching Award given by the Learning Exchange, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and The Kansas City Star. She was also a commission member of the Housewright Symposium on the Future of Music Education sponsored by the Music Educators National Conference.

http://accessiblearts.org/Awards-04.html