Question
Baby Sign Language
I was wondering if anyone has any experiences with teaching their young child sign language? I have been experimenting with a few beginning signs...such as milk, momma, eat, and sleep. Sabrina is too little to sign back yet (7 mo),&I was hoping someone could tell me if it's worth the effort or can offer any advice. It seems like it could be fun if it works!
Thanks!
Category:
Read more:
30 Answers
We began signing with our daughter when she started eating solids (about four months) and now she is almost nine months and we are just starting to see results. We do the simple signs of "eat" "more" and "all done" and she is starting to be able to do the more sign although its difficult to tell whether she is clapping (which is also a new trick) or doing the "more" sign. Just hang in there. I think it is working great for us.
LMH
LMH
Thanks! That's very encouraging. It must be so much fun to see her use the signs!
CheriseD
Several of my friends used sign language with their kids and it DID cut down on the toddler frustration in their house. We have started using signs with our little girl, and although she can not sign back yet (will be 8 m on Sat), she DOES know what they mean. Whenever we sign "milk" or "juice" or "get up" she gets very excited to let us know that she wants it. If not, she just looks at us like 'no thanks mom.' But everything I have read says to keep it up, be consistent, and look for results. Most kids start signing back by 9 m....so just keep watching. Good luck!
Cherise
CheriseD
Can anyone recommend an easy for dummies signing how to book? we would also like to teach out DD (6months) how to communicate with us through signing.
The book I've been using is just a pocket size book that can travel with you in the diaper bag. It's just called 'baby sign language basics' by Monta Z. Briant. I got it at Target.
It is the text book used in most Sign language 101 classes.
I teach Kindermusik's Sign & Sing Classes. The curriculum is wonderful and I fully recommend the program. However, I rely heavily on The Joy of Signing. Try not to dumb down signs for your baby. They will have their own versions of the correct signs and these baby sings will grow and refine as their gross motor skills grow and refine.
Garlic Press publishes great books and flash cards with tons of signs. These are very helpful as your baby grows into toddlerhood. Keep signing going. It is a second language and your brain sees it that way too. SO we encourage older siblings into the Sign & Sing classes too.
I'll be back with some signing links after class.
I started signing when my daughter was a few weeks old...whenever I nursed I signed milk. I know that she did not necessarily unstand what I was doing but it wasn't until she was about 6-7 months did she actually start signing it back. Fast forward to present day...my daughter is now 17 months and knows over 20 signs. She knows many animal signs, food signs and basic everyday signs (like driving a car, shopping). Sign language is an amazing form of communication and even though she is starting to talk she still signs.
Faith beat me to my story (very similar with my son who is the same age), but I wanted to share what I use to learn/teach signs...
1. Pick Me Up - Fun Songs for Learning Signs - My son loves music and songs so this was a great introduction for both of us. The CD can also be popped into your computer to see some extras.
2. American Sign Language Browser - This is an online site that has video clips of hundreds of words to sign. I noticed that some of the books with descriptions are not easy to decipher, so this would confirm if I was signing (or not signing) correctly.
I have found that since my son is not talking yet (or at least so we can understand him), the signs allow him to communicate to me without him gettting frustrated. His current favorite sign is "help" whenever he is having trouble doing something. Yes, that means no screaming in our house! Signing has really been a headache saver.
Good luck!
Thanks to everybody! I love hearing all your stories & I'm really excited that it does, in fact, seem to work! I'm really looking forward to seeing the results now!
Good for you for considering sign language with your little one! As an Early Childhood Interventionist, I often recommend introducing sign as a way to encourage language development. Those families who have done so have seen tremendous gains in their child's language development. I show Joseph Garcia's DVD "Sign with your baby" on home visits. It really is a great introduction to the process and has a book and chart that comes with it. I have found that most local libraries have it as a part of their collection. Have fun with it!
The Mentor Mom, www.thementormom.com