Opinions on baby sign?

CalinsBride

Some people say its great because kids learn to communicate earlier, others say kids actually start speaking later because they just sign everything. Opinions? Will you do this with your kids? I have known kids who have started talking early when they baby signed, and I have known kids who started talking way late but knew over 60 signs. Jury's still out on what I will do with my own kids.

jonsdeedee

my sister did it with her twins.  They signed and talked at the same time.  It was useful before they could really speak though.

JCM052707

We will, but we won't focus on actual speaking any less.  We'll likely try to use it more when they are smaller (before they'd be talking) and less once they're at the stage where they'd start talking.

My cousin's son signed and he spoke very late...however he's 3 1/2 and literally a genius now, so I can't say it hurt him! lol Literally, the kid is smarter than his parents about some things and one is a wonderful Dr. and the other a math teacher/math whiz. 

Mama Jan

I wrote this on my post below when someone asked about signing:

Mama Jan:

DS uses it and so far is not delayed in speech.  If anything, he is a little bit ahead.  He was using "words" (or his version of them) as early as 10mo.  He currently has 6 words that he uses which is about average for his age. 

As far as I know, there is no study that shows sign language delays speech. DS uses it to communicate words he doesn't know how to say and is a lot less frustrated because he can communicate that he wants more, is all done, wants his water instead of food, etc.

Obviously, we will continue signing with him and will do it with our next DS as well.

missbritt_07

I am in school to be an ASL Interpreter and personally I'm going to teach my kid. I've heard both sides of the stories but my plan, and I've seen this becoming more popular, is to teach the signs and the talking and only "respond" to the signs when they are accompanied by the word. I know at a certain age they will not be able to make the complete sound so the sign will do but I will also be making sure that when they become older to keep asking for the word with the sign. Teaching sign language has proven to raise IQ just as long as it is done right. Hope this helps.

 

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J&MsMom

I tried to do this, but it was hard because I was working. If are going to be a SAHM it's worth a shot.

eclipsed823

My grandmother was deaf so when I was younger I would sign a lot with her (she died when I was around 7 so I don't remember everything) but what I do know I plan on showing my baby.  Like pp said, I won't focus on speech any less, but I will integrate some basic signs.

The New Mrs.

Absolutely do it! Who's to judge "early/late" anyways? The kid will be talking just as much as all the other kids when he's 5 anyways, right? There was actually a study done that showed children who knew 100 signs or more by the time they entered kindgergarden had a significantly higher IQ than other children who didn't know sign.... Just make sure you say the sign and not just sign it 100% of the time. Then mix it up and make the baby just sign or just say it at different times. Would you not teach your child Spanish because you thought they'd rely more on Spanish than English when they were 12 months???

The #1 book I'd recommend for any adult who doesn't know signs is "Learn to Sign the Fun Way" by Penny Warner (I think it was Warner). 10 bucks at Amazon.

Mama Jan

J&MsMom:

I tried to do this, but it was hard because I was working. If are going to be a SAHM it's worth a shot.

Yes - it takes A LOT of work.  I have noticed that DS 'loses' signs if I stop using them.

Chrysallys

I will use ASL with my son because it was my language in school and I've seen the benefits when I've taught students how to sign. That said I will also speak at the same time so he hears the language as well as sees it.

kassann

I've used it with a few of the little ones I've nannied. I'm a big fan. I've never seen it cause delays because it's not a substitute, it's an aid. Once they can talk you don't need it. Until then it's WAY helpful!!

Jessica Westbrook

I'm going to be doing this! I'm going to make sure I focus on both signing and speech, but signing will be great when my little one is too little to speak.

christana08

We'll probably do the basic words (more, down, thank you, etc) to help reduce frustration but we won't use it instead of speaking.

margeincharge2

I was just wondering this same thing. I have heard great things about sign language for babies but then I also worry it might delay speech. I need to do more research before I make up my mind. I appreciate you asking this and getting feedback from those who are using it.

ghdst1

My husband is deaf and I am hearing but fluent in ASL.  Our child will be bilingual and will both sign and speak.  I have seen it used with a lot of my friends children or i have taught them myself and it really does help with language.  Children can communicate in sign as early as 6-9months whereas talking tends to take longer to be able to develop.  I think either way it's worth it to give it a shot!

SallySunrise

We use sign at my daycare and I swear by it.  I will definitely be using it with my children.  As children transition from the infant room to the one year-old room, we encourage them to "use their words" with the signs.  Once we've heard them use a particular word, we then only respond to that particular sign when it's accompanied by the word.  As long as you encourage children to speak as they are able, there is no reason sign should delay their speech development.

MrsBeckO

Ditto PP's. We will absolutely be using baby sign with our child(ren). I have seen so many kids do so well using sign early on, and like someone else mentioned - it really cuts back on the frustration/tantrums from children who just can't verbally communicate their wants/needs. My one year old niece (who I watch during the day) can look at me and sign "water" or "eat" or "help". Its amazing... and she is developing her verbal skills as well. There are things she would prefer to say rather than sign (like banana and more) and things she would rather sign.

Also, in our area, most daycares have started using baby signs and the few schools we've toured so far have mentioned helping parents learn the basic signs as well.. so don't let working out of the home deter you from trying, if you're interested.?

CalinsBride

Thanks so much for all the great comments. I learned a lot of signs when I was a nanny, and my kids had no issues with communication, so I will probably sign with my kiddo. I will be working part time so I should have time to do it. I also have friends who work full time and their kids sign as well.

emaria

we're going to do it.  before i learned anything about it i thought it was yet another gimmick but dh thought it was a cool idea so i looked into it.  i'm currently reading a book about it and i'm all for it. 

EDIT: and when you use it you don't just sign, you speak at the same time and encourage the child to speak as well.  

Aliliv

Definitely do it!   I tried with DD, but, alas, I was not consistent enough - when new baby comes I will do it again with DD and new baby, it will be a way for DD and new baby to bond:)

A friend of mine has been very successful teaching sign to her son; however, he has delayed speech (according to speech pathologist).  So, the speech pathologist's urging - my friend has stopped with the signing for now, but will resume later.  The reason being that her DS is not capable to both speak and sign simultaneously right now and gets confused (according to speech therapist).....  Each child is different, but from what I understand, signing promotes speech for the majority.