Tell me about sign language

imeltice

What resources did you use to teach your LO, and how do you know if they really understand? 

Did you spring for DVD's or did you just go on you tube or use another resource to find out what the signs for certain words are. 

I started trying to teach DS simple signs when he was about 9 or 10 months.  Basically just all done and more.  He has never really gotten the all done, and will clap when I ask if he wants more and show him the sign.  So, I am not sure if he actually is getting it, or if he just thinks I am clapping.

DH thinks it's silly to try and that he is just imitating me, and doesn't really know if he wants more.

DS is not very verbal, so I am looking at a way to communicate effectively with him

CopperT0p

A lady came to our mom group a long time ago (when L was about 6 months) and showed us some signs, so I have been using those with him.

I also look signs up on youtube or just the internet.

Don't be discouraged, I have been signing with L since he was 6 months and the only sign he will regularly do is 'milk'.  I think they hit an age where it clicks and they start using them more, at least according to this sign teacher.

imeltice

ashleysyn2:

We use Baby Sign Language.  I didn't buy anything, just used the resources from that site.  They also have a FB page which I've found helpful because there's always someone there to answer your questions.

We started out by doing milk, more, and all done when M was about 6 months old.  She started signing milk when she was about 8 months, though I'm pretty sure at that point she thought it meant "give me what I want right now."  With lots of repetition she now understands and signs milk, more, all done, food, please, thank you and diaper.

Thanks!  This site looks really nice.  I am going to check it out, and I'll have to check on the facebook page when I get home tonight.

JulesDiane

We also use Baby Signing Time DVDS. DD has about 50-60 signs that she knows. And she definitely knows what they mean! We love it. Since she doesn't have that many words, it's awesome that she can communicate with us! I highly recommend Baby Signing Time.

historychick79

I was born hearing impaired and learned ASL (American Sign Language) as a child. I didn't use any classes or videos, but did read up on some techniques. I chose a handful of signs that we would use regularly with C (more, all done, bath, diaper), and used them whenever I spoke the word; daycare also used some sign as well though I didn't expect it. C picked up 'more' first when he was about 11 mos old; they do actually know what they're 'saying' by that point. DH also taught C 'sleep' when C left daycare. We're starting to use some emotion words (angry, happy, sad), please and thank you (he almost always does 'please' for 'more' now) and animals as well, now that we know he has a few under his belt. It's really about consistency and repetition.

MJN9510

Someone gave us a book called baby signs and it just has the basic ones like, mommy, daddy, more, milk, water, help, dog, cat & diaper in it.  DD loves to look at that book and as soon as she sees the picture of the object she signs what it is.  SO cute!

hopecounts

Consistency is key. DD understands/uses without prompting the signs for more, eat, mama, dad, and done she started with Dad at around 8 months iirc and it grew from there. she'll occasionally use the sign for sleep but it's very rare.

These are the ones we've used and worked on (since ~4 months), as she's started using these words the signing has dropped off except for eat and more. More she still uses word plus sign (it's one she uses a lot it basically means "I want" to her so if she wants something she goes "Mo" + sign), and eat she's not saying yet.

I haven't been working on it since she started talking, I probably should get back to it.