Sign language

mrsdahamm

I know we had a post about this when we all had inside babies. Who is I doing sign language? What resources are you using?

lnvane00

I am really interested in this. But I dont know the forst thing about it. So is it the same exact kind of sign language you would use for someone who is deaf? Or is there something else specifically for kids? 

TradeMama

I did it with ds2 and ds3 (8 years old now and 1 year). I started at 9 months or so-- food words are the easiest to start with.

theluckiest9

lnvane00 said:

I am really interested in this. But I dont know the forst thing about it. So is it the same exact kind of sign language you would use for someone who is deaf? Or is there something else specifically for kids? 

Most people use "baby sign" so it's not really the same as if you were communicating with someone who's deaf/hoh.

I'm going to sign to Emma but I'll use full ASL and not baby sign. Will prob start in the next week or two.

theluckiest9

Here's some good info from the American speech language hearing. Association, including research, on baby sign. Toward the end it talks about developmentally appropriate signs to introduce.

theluckiest9

https://www.asha.org/publications/leader/2010/101102/about-baby-signing.htm

Forgot the link!

amdecker1016

theluckiest9 said:

lnvane00 said:

I am really interested in this. But I dont know the forst thing about it. So is it the same exact kind of sign language you would use for someone who is deaf? Or is there something else specifically for kids? 

Most people use "baby sign" so it's not really the same as if you were communicating with someone who's deaf/hoh.

I'm going to sign to Emma but I'll use full ASL and not baby sign. Will prob start in the next week or two.

Our LO's are not too young?

VanessaBee

Definitely going to give it a try and will be sticking as close to ASL as possible / makes sense

theluckiest9

amdecker1016 said:

theluckiest9 said:

lnvane00 said:

I am really interested in this. But I dont know the forst thing about it. So is it the same exact kind of sign language you would use for someone who is deaf? Or is there something else specifically for kids? 

Most people use "baby sign" so it's not really the same as if you were communicating with someone who's deaf/hoh.

I'm going to sign to Emma but I'll use full ASL and not baby sign. Will prob start in the next week or two.

Our LO's are not too young?

I'm using ASL and not just baby signs so it is part of language development. She'll take in the specific rules of ASL just as she will spoken English. From very early on babies start to distinguish patterns in languages, (even if it's not the primary language spoken in the home). I talk and coo to my baby now, exaggerate intonation patterns, etc. I would do the same with ASL (sign slower, exaggerate certain movements, etc.). I'll most likely take her hands when I'm talking or signing and incorporate approximations of the signs as we go.

It's good to use around them even when they're this young because it plays into early language development. I want to expose her early so she acquires it like she will spoken language. Hearing babies babble and start with vocal play at a young age but so do deaf babies - with their hands. Hearing babies who are exposed to ASL will do the same. She just has to be exposed to it!

Now, if i were just going to use baby sign I would start that around maybe 4-5 months. Some kids can start using basic signs around 6 months. Typical is 8-9 months I think.

Sorry that was a little long winded.

lazyreader

We use some signs already. I figure she's learning something from it. And we just use ASL but not full sentences

amdecker1016

@DisneyAddict‌1 @theluckiest9‌ thanks!
That is good to know!

What signs will you start with? Like mom, dad, hungry?

theluckiest9

@amdecker1016‌ Eat, drink, more, please, thank you, toilet, mom and dad.. The first three have an easier hand shape to mimic (dominant c or o shape vs more complex shapes like five fingers extended).

Eta: autocorrect hates me.

lazyreader

Milk. Mom. Dad.
More. Dog.

We might add cuddle or sleep.

theluckiest9

I forgot hungry, finished ("all done")

BrideNamedMeg

We did a few with our older two and plan do do some with DD as well.


The most useful for us were more, all done, please/thank you, change (for diapers), and milk.

acdiaz11

I was really interested in doing some signing with Lily, but one of my friends mentioned that her nephews speech was delayed and she thinks that it might be because he didn't have to use words just signs. I have also noticed this in some other children I know that are being taught to sign, so now I'm a bit hesitant. Any thoughts on this?

theluckiest9

acdiaz11 said:

I was really interested in doing some signing with Lily, but one of my friends mentioned that her nephews speech was delayed and she thinks that it might be because he didn't have to use words just signs. I have also noticed this in some other children I know that are being taught to sign, so now I'm a bit hesitant. Any thoughts on this?

Language isn't actually delayed, although some people may feel like it is. It is normal for kids who are learning two languages simultaneously to go through what's called a silent period. The length of the silent period varies per child but can last up to a few months. It is 100% normal and does not constitute a "language delay" label.

acdiaz11

Thanks @theluckiest9‌!!

lazyreader

Cmmo14 said:

@acdiaz11‌ as pp said, the silent period is normal for multilingual children. DS1 started speaking later than his peers at daycare but when he did he was talking full sentences in French and Spanish and keeps adding to his English every day.

I'm on the fence with doing sign language. I think it's an amazing tool for the kids, but ours already juggle 3 language from birth and we introduce 2 more when they turn 3, so signing might be a bit too much for them? I don't know.

I would. Only because I'm in the boat of - they. Can.
Their little brains are the most absorbent things ever. 6 languages? No problem.

mdhenry0519

I mentioned to the IL's that I wanted to teach LO some basic signs and they don't see the point. My MIL said that once we ger used to her cries we'll know what they mean and won't need sign.Their attitude pissed me off since MIL will be looking after LO when I go back to work and I really hoped to have her support.

mevensen

I use some sign language in my classroom for my nonverbal students and have a basic knowledge of ASL from being a caretaker for my grandparents who were deaf. We will definately be introducing it to LO.

LittlePigeon

We plan to do some simple signs. I have some knowledge from work and a lot of resources. One book series that worked really well with my students with hearing impairments were the First Signs series. They are board books with very simple signs. They have several titles... At Home, At School, Pets, etc.

Also, a bigger investment but a worthwhile one if you're really in to signing is the Signing Time DVD series. I learned a ton doing it with my students and they really liked it as well.