Sign Language

carleym93 · July 2015

Has anyone taught their baby(ies) sign language? We're thinking about teaching this one, but I'm wondering if there are any good resources out there!

JSmith42514 · July 2015

I'm teaching my baby but I already have a head start since I took ASL in high school. Looking into things for my husband to learn I have found a show on Netflix called Signing Time and also found a baby signing for dummies book.

Just remember that the baby won't be able to sign full on sentences so it might be helpful to learn just a few keywords first (milk, diaper, more, etc.) Then add more as you go.

breezymeema7 · July 2015

We did key words with the girls. Milk, please, thank you, all done, that type of stuff. There are a couple cool baby sign apps out there and I've also heard great reviews about the DVD Baby Sign Time.

cosplaymom · July 2015

I used signs with speaking for a few things like milk, all done, and diaper. I think it might have helped my daughter understand the words faster but she knew words from pictures just as quickly and she's a total chatterbox now, full sentences and everything (2 yrs old next week). She never really started signing on her own other than copying me, even when it was obvious she knew what the words were.

So my 2 cents is that signing may help give a visual to kids to learn common words and concepts like "all done" faster but unless your kid is a late talker I would put more effort into speaking words, repetion, talking to them constantly about what you are doing, and doing the 100 First Words books to associate words with pictures by pointing. Babies can learn those pictures well before their first year is up.

carleym93 · July 2015

I'll check out some of these things! We're planning on only focusing on key words, then as she gets older we will begin to focus on verbal speech more than sign but we will still add to sign as we go. DH wants to start teaching her Spanish when she starts talking, so we'll probably hold off on the sign once she starts becoming verbal.

Shine2015 · July 2015

I will introduce signs to this LO once he/she is a little older. I didn't with DS until we had to start speech at about 20 months. It was amazing how it helped him communicate! We got some basic signs from his SLP but then just used a website to add additional signs.

breezymeema7 · July 2015

carleyec93 said:

I'll check out some of these things! We're planning on only focusing on key words, then as she gets older we will begin to focus on verbal speech more than sign but we will still add to sign as we go. DH wants to start teaching her Spanish when she starts talking, so we'll probably hold off on the sign once she starts becoming verbal.

If you want her to be bilingual, have your H speak to her in Spanish as soon as she's born. She will just grow up speaking both languages as long as she hears them both. A good friend speaks Spanish to her sons, while her husband speaks English. Both kiddos can now speak and understand English and Spanish. It's actually really cool.

kat+1 · July 2015

Youtube " my smart hands" they are great and that's how I am learning and my son and the little guy I babysit

benmel31 · July 2015

Between daycare and working at home, DD learned a bunch of sign language. At almost 2 1/2, she still signs some words as she talks. The signs we had the most success with. Were milk, water, eat, more, please, thank you, mom, and dad.

shmarpler · July 2015

My friends sitter taught her daughter sign. It was very helpful as she was able to sign much sooner than she was able to talk. I also took ASL in high school and plan to introduce a few key words to my baby.

kelseyrayay · July 2015

I figured I would teach him what I know. I know the basics of it.

amylianne · July 2015

We used signs a little late in the game with DS because we had heard that it can slow actual speaking. False. So we'll introduce the basic signs earlier to DD, but still have a large focus on the verbal skills. DS didn't say much at all until about 21 months, now he's a motor mouth. But he still uses the signs when he's not getting what he wants, just to reinforce his point

missmarissa711 · July 2015

When I worked at the daycare I easily taught my whole infant room simple sign language. It was great because they could literally tell me what was wrong and what they needed before they could speak. It is a fascinating thing, those little brains.

heath3er · July 2015

It depends on child. I would say teach signs but also use the real words. As a speech therapist repetition and using both is best.

I plan on using both. With my first he aid his first words so early it was crazy. I did teach him the basics.

I think it's best to use both modes of communication.

hcook321 · July 2015

As a CODA (child of a deaf adult- or parents in my case), you cannot teach children sign language "too early" nor will it hinder speech. The child MAY become dependent on sign language for a longer period of time than normal sometimes but as long as you're pairing sign language signs while actually speaking the word your LO will learn both. My parents put me in speech therapy as a toddler because my grandmother (hearing) was concerned that I hadn't started talking yet. I was dismissed in 2 weeks because I could talk and my speech was fine, I just preferred using sign at home rightfully so.

carriebelle77 · July 2015

As an SLP who is a nationally certified ASL interpreter and who works at the school for the Deaf....I've taught both of my kids sign as babies and it was awesome! They had functional communication way early, they didn't experience so much frustration during the toddler years, and as they learned spoken English and Spanish the ASL slowly dwindled on its own. They both still understand me when I sign to them, but they naturally answer back in spoken English most of the time b/c I don't push the issue, and that's their comfort zone. We've chosen to put them in Spanish immersion elementary and they are doing great. I think this is mostly due to consistent, early exposure to multiple languages. Kids' brains are like sponges!!

Baby Signing Time and Signing Time are great for helping both of you learn the basics.

TallMomma29 · July 2015

We taught our first (just turned 1) milk, eat, more, and all done. We just looked online for baby signs and started signing those things to her all the time and she eventually picked them up. Once she learned them it was super helpful knowing what she needed! I definitely recommend it, but I'd start with some easy ones and see how it goes (don't feel pressure to teach your kid tons of signs... Just the essentials will do!)

abbybaby19 · July 2015

I tried to teach my son sign language but failed due to me not sticking with it. What I should have done was start learning myself before the baby was born, because every time I would introduce a word I would forget it by the next time Id use it. Another thing that caused me to fail was not getting all my family on board with it. I wish I had sat them down and told them what I had wanted and got them on the same page. If its something you really want and stick with then you can do way better than I did! Good luck!

kbblong · July 2015

Siging tome is the way to go! I taught my first daughter because my mom is deaf... but i can't wait to teach this baby and my hubby. I think it really helps in communication and kess tantrums. I also think it helps with brain development. So much better than watching some cartoon you're unsure of.

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