Sign language for babies?
What are some experiences that anyone’s had with teaching their babies sign language? Also what sources did you find the most useful…books, websites…?
Our family knows some basic ASL signs, and I used those to teach my nearly ten month old daughter some sign language. The most important thing is repetition when teaching, and so a simple sign language book and repeating the sign over and over again is all you need-not expensive DVDs or the like.
Gwendalyn can sign momma, daddy, milk, sleepy and no as if in conversation, and if I say several other words she can make the sign for them (though I do not think she really comprehends their meaning yet).
And, before someone else answers stating otherwise, it does NOT delay their speech. You use sign language in addition to speech, not in place of it. Gwendalyn can also say momma, daddy, no, doggy, bye bye, hi, thank you (tantu), that, up and bubba (for her brother, though she does not address her sister yet, much to my oldest daughter’s dismay) and probably several others that are escaping me right now.
EDITED TO ADD: Oh no! She also says “oh no”, usually after dropping something that she wants you to pick up…
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July 29th, 2010 at 12:45 am
I learned a lot from Meet the Fockers, LOL!References :
July 29th, 2010 at 1:12 am
I’ve decided not to teach my daughter sign language but my aunt taught all 3 of her children who picked it up and used it frequently! She loved that they were able to communicate with her before they could talk! She simply taught her children from her knowledge of the language. The only reason why I have chosen not to teach my little one is that all 3 of her children spoke late. Her youngest is 2 1/2 and is just now getting to his words. Her first 2 were also late but are now 7 and 4 and speak just fine!References :
July 29th, 2010 at 1:53 am
Honestly, I think sign language impedes a child’s need to talk. My nephew is almost two and does not say a word…but signs everything. He has made no attempt at speaking because his mother knows sign and that is what he uses to communicate. My two-year-old (just two) speaks in several full sentences in a row and has clear speech. I never introduced the signing to her. But, as always, it is your choice. I hear the Baby Signing Time DVD’s and Signing Time DVD’s are good. There are several books you can buy if you hit the local bookstore or library on the basics of sign. Just use it carefully, as it can backfire.References :
July 29th, 2010 at 2:10 am
We got sign language flashcards. And we talked a ton – I was the goofball in the grocery store talking to my baby about putting apples in the cart. For communication skills, we really liked the Happiest Baby on the Block book and also the activities in How to Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten.References :
July 29th, 2010 at 2:22 am
i would have to say baby einstein its great:)References :
July 29th, 2010 at 2:59 am
Baby Einstein has a sign language video for ages 6 months and up. There are others but I cannot remember them. Try going to your local library. I have done that before.References :
July 29th, 2010 at 3:29 am
I would really try to Baby Einstein they have a sign language DVD.References :
July 29th, 2010 at 3:48 am
Research shows that sign language does not impede a child’s speech….. it happens the other way around…children who sign have better vocabularies and speak earlier than others….research has shown that children who start to speak late and were taught sign language already had that happen in their family….
I am teaching my son sign language and at only 5 months he can already sign "milk"
go to signingtime.com this is an excellent resource
I also read books when I was pregnant by Monta Z. Briant and also Baby Sign Language for Dummies….
Signing Time has videos for babies and toddlers as well as older children…
Good Luck!References : http://www.signingtime.com and many other websites
July 29th, 2010 at 4:17 am
Our family knows some basic ASL signs, and I used those to teach my nearly ten month old daughter some sign language. The most important thing is repetition when teaching, and so a simple sign language book and repeating the sign over and over again is all you need-not expensive DVDs or the like.
Gwendalyn can sign momma, daddy, milk, sleepy and no as if in conversation, and if I say several other words she can make the sign for them (though I do not think she really comprehends their meaning yet).
And, before someone else answers stating otherwise, it does NOT delay their speech. You use sign language in addition to speech, not in place of it. Gwendalyn can also say momma, daddy, no, doggy, bye bye, hi, thank you (tantu), that, up and bubba (for her brother, though she does not address her sister yet, much to my oldest daughter’s dismay) and probably several others that are escaping me right now.
EDITED TO ADD: Oh no! She also says "oh no", usually after dropping something that she wants you to pick up…References : Common sense and research
Personal experience and opinion
Mom of three!
July 29th, 2010 at 4:55 am
I have an 8 month old son and I was so shocked at how easy it was. After a few times of signing "more" he got the hang of it. I’ve been introducing a couple new signs each week for the last month. He really only will sign back "more" and "milk" or "drink" but I think he’ll get better at it. My cousin has her masters degree in deaf eduacation and taught her daughter to sign and she did not have delayed speech.
It’s so cute…every time we sit down to eat my son starts signing, "more…more…more!" I just used the web and would google sign language to find common signs. I’ve even read about parents who create their own signs…they don’t have to be right
the child will still make the connection.References :