kirbyann -
442 days ago.
I have four kids, worked in daycares and ran a dayhome... this is coming from heaps of experience BABY SIGN IS FANTASTIC!! We homeschool now and we have integrated learning ASL as a second language (while we are learning french). It has helped connect meanings from one language to the other, as well as general needs the younger ones aren't verbally capable of relating (beyond screaming about it). It is fun to be able to sit at the table and have a silent conversation... or be able to 'discipline' your child in public without having to do more than a sign or two with your hands (regardless of age - I do this with my 22 month old, 3 yr old, 6 yr old and 9yr old - no need for words to embarrass them just a sign or two and they get the msg) I have read an incredible amount of literature and studies regarding using sign language with children and everything says the SAME things: vocabulary and sentence structures always surpass peers of non-signing, increase focus as well as environmental awareness, as well it has been shown that children who sign show a greater level of compassion and apathy towards others. 'Baby' sign is something you can live without, but why would you?!
mom2be01(pink) -
863 days ago.
We sign in our house. Our LO says about 10 words and signs almost 30. :) It has been a wonderful thing. I was worried about her not talking so much but the doctor said she is fine and signing is a good thing. She said that sometimes they just develope at different stages and it has more to do with coordination with their vocals and tongue and jaw, well really everything. lol... Anyway, the research I have done actually says that most children that signs will have double the vocabulary of a child that doesn't. Once they catch on. lol... Our LO has recently started to try and sing too! She is so stinking cute! Oh and most of the time now when she signs she says the words too.
noahwmommy -
875 days ago.
Tove - actually if you do research into baby signing, they say that babies who sign actually talk faster than those who don't. When you teach the sign to your baby, you are saying the word at the same time - so they understand what you are giving them. I taught my son baby sign language and he started talking at a very young age, and hasn't stopped! To each their own :)
toveandbrody -
875 days ago.
I'm leery about signing with a baby. My cousin did this with her son and he never talked! well..he does now but it was a long time and I bet it was because he was getting all of his needs met without talking
ammo72 -
985 days ago.
I have a question about baby sign...it is something I have always been interested in, but I have read and heard some information that it can delay speech because children can already communicate is this true?
NoahWmommy -
1047 days ago.
I love signing with my boy. I actually work at a place that has baby sign classes. I signed up for all 3 courses, 1 night a week for 1 hour. Babies are encouraged to come. Those classes were a blast! we learned so much every week. My family thought I was a weirdo - why would you want to teach your son sign language? blah blah blah but you can bet they took all the negative things they said back as soon as he could sign to them 'milk, mommy, more etc.' my mom says that he has been the best grandchild to watch because he can tell you what he needs/wants. He's 21 months now and can talk up a storm, so we don't use sign a whole lot anymore, but it's so worth it when they are babies.
my6kids -
1048 days ago.
I began signing with my last child the day he was born. By the time he was 4 months old, he was signing 'milk' and 'all done'. He is 2 now and the whole family signs along with him. It is not fair to play charades with my family lol. I'm due again 1/7/11 and I can't wait to start signing with this baby!
EllasMommy23 -
1112 days ago.
just bought some stuff to start signing with my 10 month old and i'm so excited. I already learned the itsy bitsy spider!
sherk3 -
1279 days ago.
I am a sign language interpreter and also a CODA, child of deaf adults. It is really awesome that everyone is geting into signing with their babies. It truly is the most productive time for them to learn and if you keep it giong they will become masters at the language.
debsandgrace -
1337 days ago.
My DD is picking up he signs really well again now after a while of no new signs, today she was looking out the window and signed bird and tree. Think thats its amazing that at 13mths she has just told me she saw a bird flying into the tree! When we moved house 6wks ago we lost track of time one night. It was 45mins past her bedtime when she walked up to DH and signed mommy then bed! So worth teaching your child if you can!
redheadmama -
1355 days ago.
Signing has made things so much less frustrating for my 16 month old son. We are so thankful! He says bye-bye, eat, more, all done, please, thank you, up, and I want. What's really cute is how we try to teach him 'real signs' and then of course he kind of mutates them into what he can/likes to do. So the signs are semi-personalized. But I'm thrilled when a stranger gives him something and he holds his palm on his face to say thank you! And sometimes people even say, 'aww, he's saying thank you!' without me having to tell them. :)
RobinG -
1356 days ago.
Why I am SO happy we are doing sign language with our son :) A few minutes ago Hunter (23 months and mildly autistic) heard the music on the TV. He said 'see cum' which listening to sounds like nothing and certainly not a word I could translate but then... he did the sign!! I knew he was saying music! :) I am one proud momma! I understood what he was trying to say ~ with autism it is so important to be able to validate what he does as quickly as possible, I didnt waste prcious minutes just trying to figure it out ~ just wanted to share :)
RobinG -
1362 days ago.
Before during and after if you are able to do it along with the cup. Also important to assisnt and help him do it too. He will learn faster if you also guide his hands at the same time to do the sign. :) for drink we use the sign 'thristy' which works great and is very easy to do :)
RobinG -
1383 days ago.
My son is mildly autistic and we love sign. He can talk some but sometimes for some babies motor communication is easier then verbal. Esp those with speech delays. And many are just visual learners so it def helps :) We do more, milk, thirsty, all done, plane, help, stop, cry, open, down, ball. Those kids with sensory issues who are visual benefit form it. It takes Hunter longer ot process words when listening then visual If he sees it he tends to respond faster because of sensory issues. Even if they cant do it they do know it when seeing it so it is good to still do it :) Just when you think they dont get it suddenly they will sign it and you realize they did know it after all :)
RobinG -
1383 days ago.
We use sign for our son who is mildly autistic :) SO glad to see this page!! :) Here is an amazing link on sign ~ it is videos of each one so you can see how to do it ~ http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/aslpro/aslpro.cgi
shimmer178 -
1387 days ago.
I started signing with my daughter when she was about 6 months old, Its so nice that she can tell me what she wants, food, water, more of something, she just turned one and shes been telling me for 3 months now when she needs her diaper changed. Takes alot of guess work out of it, happy baby, happy mother, win win!
debsandgrace -
1394 days ago.
Baby sign is GREAT! I have been taking my DD since she was 6mths, she is now 11mths and can sign, milk, mommy, duck, bird, fish, food, bath, night and phone. Grace also understands lots more and when i sign nappy for her she knows shes going to have her nappy changed so no more struggling with her! I really cannot recommend this enough its great to bridge the gap between baby understanding what you are saying and being able to communicate what they want. Some think that signing will hinder her speach but she is saying about 5 words at 11mths!