Baby Sign Language

ellewoodsSC · June 2011

Came across a sign language basics slide show:

https://www.parenting.com/gallery/baby-sign-language-words-to-know?pnid=113529

How many of you are thinking of doing baby sign language or already have experience with this? In the slide show Some things like "medicine" seem a little too abstract and others require a lot of dexterity. Thoughts?

sleepingbeauty · June 2011

we'll be doing it. i bought the "for dummies" book and really like it so far. we're going to start using it pretty soon so it's already second nature for us when the baby comes.

dubbles1984 · June 2011

We will be using sign language with the LO too. I took 3 years of it in college and I loved it. I really wish I would have kept up with it because, like other languages, if you don't use it, you lose it. I know a few families that sign with their babies and it amazes me how soon they are able to "communicate."

jonnygurl76 · June 2011

i did this with DD and it helped with her getting frustrated because she couldn't express what she wanted. i just used www.babysignlanguage.com --it is a great resource. she would learn about 2 new signs a day--milk, more, all done, mama, dada, nite-nite, eat, up, bath, car, etc... she stopped signing when she started talking more and i plan to use it again with #2. knowledge is never a bad thing--they are little sponges.

cszlachta · June 2011

I taught DD sign language and plan to do so with #2. DD will be 2 in 2 weeks and she still uses some of the signs she's learned. As PP mentioned, knowledge is never a bad thing.

LMeR01 · June 2011

We're definitely doing this. My BFF is a sign language interpreter, so she's going to teach us and LO. I'm really looking forward to it.

sassy77 · June 2011

I have been using this for a while since I work in the foster care field. My case load is mostly babies so it makes it alot easier for me to communicate with them. I will be using it with LO for sure.

jdumbaugh · June 2011

I thought this sounded wonderful, but DH is against it. He knows two people that used baby sign language and their children refused to start talking. His cousin used it for her first child and didn't use it on the following 5 kids because of the delay in speech.

Anyone else experience this?

JillD2011 · June 2011

While I like the idea of baby sign language, I think I will just be focusing on developing my child's speech. I know that baby sign language can help, I agree with a few PP who pointed out that it is often better suited for children who are at risk for developing later speech problems and will need that extra help to communicate effectively.

I've worked with many children with speech and language deficiencies who successfully utilize sign language to help them communicate with others, so I know it is a useful tool. I just think that in a typically-developing child, it's best to focus on verbal speech rather than sign language.

Sugarsweets04 · June 2011

I've thought about using it but I haven't brought the subject up to DH yet. I think its a wonderful idea but I guess I never thought of it causing delays in speech. When talking to my mom about it, she wishes she would have used it with me because I refused to talk until I was almost 3. She said it was hard and very frustrating because she never knew what I wanted and she hated the pointing.

I think no matter what I'll at least use basic signs like milk, more, please, just to help the communication process.

MBain09 · June 2011

I hadn't even thought about it, but it sounds really interesting! I'm going to check out those sites.

SheLovesMrHip · June 2011

The only negative thing I have to say about this, and I am not trying to upset anyone so I am sorry if this comes across wrong..... But my SIL used this with my nephew and by the time he was "old enough" to say things he wouldn't. He would only sign. It was actually very sad because it took him longer to form sentences and communicate.......

SheLovesMrHip · June 2011

jdumbaugh:
I thought this sounded wonderful, but DH is against it. He knows two people that used baby sign language and their children refused to start talking. His cousin used it for her first child and didn't use it on the following 5 kids because of the delay in speech.
Anyone else experience this?

I just responded below, but we had this happen to our nephew.....

haleyjane9 · June 2011

I will absolutely be doing this!

I teach babies sign language at our school and it really works in many different ways. It serves as an 'out' for frustrated babies once they learn the sign and when they do learn it, I really think they have a sense of accomplishment with all the praise they get for even trying!

I show them the sign a few times, then position their hands to do it, also.

I also always make sure to say the name of the sign while signing it. They catch on really quickly and I have very young babies saying "more", as well as many other words! Once I hear them say the word, I always have them say the word with the sign. I guess this is how I avoid the not talking thing once they get bigger!

I was very skeptical before I learned about this, but I'm not strongly for it!

pearblossom · June 2011

We did it with DD and plan to do it again. We have seen amazing results in her ability to communicate and problem solve. She is able to get her needs across to strangers, such as a new DCP.

As far as it impairing speech, who's to say that these kids would be talking already if they weren't signing? It's totally anecdotal. Kids talk on their own schedule just like with everything else. I did read that kids who sign are better talkers when the time comes, they use full sentences sooner and have better comprehension. But you know, this comes from the baby sign program that we use so take from it what you will.

KristaK10 · June 2011

I will definitely use sign language...I was a deaf studies major in college. It is amazing how early babies can communicate! They know what they want long before they can use their voice. I highly recommend it. Good luck!!!

daryleverett · June 2011

As a Special ed/Deaf ed teacher and ASL interpreter and mom let me present my views.

1. Kids all speak at different times signing or not

2. The research supports the idea that signing enhances literacy and language

3. You should not be using the signs instead of typical language building activities but in addition to them.

4.To the OP: a lot of sign do require dexterity, but the kids can approximate the sign just as they would approximate a spoken word.

You can also check aslpro.com signingsavvy.com lifeprint.com and mysmarthands.com for resources. Each one has it's strengths.

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