I have a 4 month old and just recently purchased a signlaunguage kit for babies to teach myself and my daughter sign language. I have heard many great things about signing, as well as negatives. The great things I have heard were from mom's that actually taught the signs to their babies and had great results..where as the negatives were from people that never tried it and thought it would be bad for my daughter and deter her from actaully talking out loud when the time comes for her to do that....(which at the rate she's going will be tomorrow..lol) I just wondered if any of you moms have done it and what were your results? Thanks much!
IT MAY BE TOO SOON TO TELL BUT I SWEAR SHE SIGNED TO ME THE SIGN FOR "BOTTLE"!! (SHE'S 5 1/2 MONTHS OLD) I PREPARED A BOTTLE AND SURE ENOUGH SHE TOOK THE WHOLE THING....NO CRYING, NO FUSSING, JUST SIGNING! YIPPIE!!!
I started teching my daughter signing at birth-she first signed back at 4 months. It is a wonderful experience.
My daughter did have a speech delay-but I don't think it had anything to do with the signing. I am glad we had that tool to help us through the demanding age of 2.
hello I am doing the same thing with our son who is 9 weeks old. i have a friend who did it and her daugter talks very well. I don't think it delays speech.
Never did it, but I have a video I want my boy to watch so he can learn. Those nay sayers are ignorant! Never take any advice from them!!
Jeanmarie,
I have not tried teaching baby signs. My advice is to try it if you are interested in it, listen to the advice of those you respect, and disregard those whose opinion isn't valuable to you. How can people who haven't tried something pass judgement? Don't let those people influence you.
It's really hard when you are a new Mom to filter out all the voices who think they know everything. Do your research, think carefully about the choices you make in raising your little girl, and ask for advice from those whose parenting skills and experience you respect. Everything else is just noise. You know your family, you know your daughter. Do what seems right to you, and you'll be a great Mom!
Hello,
Signing is a great tool. I am a special education teacher who uses signs in my classroom. You can start with simple signs like more, drink, eat, sleep. I saw my niece pick up on it when she got a meet and greet with Ernie. At first she was a little scared but when it was time to go, she kept signing "more". It was so cute. Once they have language, the signing usually dispears. What a great idea though, while they can't speak to get their needs met. I can try to send a link to ASL browser. It shows how to do signs. Good Luck!!
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm
M.
I did not do signing with my oldest 2 = but am doing sign now with my youngest and my older 2 are learning right along with me. I also agree in using actually ASL (american sign lanunage) ratherr then other baby signs.
We use the signing time videos - which a lot of libaries are now carrying. They also have baby signing timm*e videos now; that are geared more towards infants and young toddlers (more visual less instructional) and it's ASL signs. you can check out their webpage at www.signingtime.com there is also lots of other stuff there (suggestions for how to use sign with your children, stores from other parents, a foumn, their store, activities, etc)
Signing is wonderful and a great idea! Go for it. I would suggest though, that instead of using "baby signs" you use actual ASL signs. (sometimes the baby signs curriculums change the signs to make them easier). The only reason that I suggest it is because then your baby will come out of it with a life skill as well. The more people who learn to sign, the less closed up and isolated the deaf will be.
FYI, I signed with my now 3 year old daughter and she actually started saying the words and signing them at the same time. I sign with my daycare kids and none have experienced delays as a result. Signing is a great way to teach your kids how to communicate before they can do it verbally and really cuts down on their frustration.
Hey, and for older kids there is the Signing Time series which is soooo much fun.
Good luck!
Baby sign is the greatest!
So, as a speech-language pathologist I can professionally report that it does NOT delay speech. In fact, studies have shown that children who were exposed to baby sign develop language skills at the same rate if not BETTER than their peers! Our babies have the intellectual capacity for language but their ability to coordinate the motor movements needed for speech are just not there yet. They are, however, able to use their hands to communicate as early as 6 months(ish).
Personally, I have been using simple signs with my 7 month old daugher since she could focus on my hands. She has been signing "puppy" for a solid month now. (She is in love with our boxer, Romeo)! My 15 month old nephew has a huge sign language vocabluary and also has a verbal vocabulary of at least 25 words.
Go for it...I promise it won't hurt!
Hi, In response to sign language w/children I personally experienced some wonderful knowledge about and with my (now 13 yo daughter). When she was 15 mos. she'd had a febral seizure - the one where her temp. gets to high and she just stops breathing and lays limp in your arms, yeah, that thing. Well I was in the process of potty training when this occured. DH and I called 911 and took her to the hosp. About 7 hrs. later she finally went to the "BIG" potty and did her business. I was teaching her simple signs (w/o any kits) and potty was one I encouraged her to use so to make training more fun! Well I had been told that Karate, music (not just Beethoven and Bach) and sign language would help in her self esteem, kinetics, learning abilities... Today she stills shows an interest in signing and for many years exceeded in her classes. Only until this pass year (7th gr) did she start to fall backwards only due to family isssues. She is a very heart warmed, caring, respectful and responsible person. She actually wants to attend a Tech. next fall to start her career! Don't give up on signing with your baby, it truly is a wonderful experience. Is the kit called "Baby Signs"? Their o.k., best bet, go to library and see if they have either of the following books : My first sign language book, "American Sign Language", this book is definately bigger, more complex. And a person is never to young to learn anything. No, I'm not deaf or have any hearing concerns. I went to school for a little while with a girl who was deaf and met some people along the way. Their life is completely different than ours. Keep in touch! P.
I am also interested in teaching my daughter to sign. If you could let me know where you got the kit from and the name of it I would greatly appreciate it. I have heard lots of great things about signing. As for the people that say that it will make her less likely to talk are only partialy correct. But if you speak what you ar signing and continue to do so as she start to speak she will do the same. Just remeber to encourage talking more than signing once she starts to say a few words. This will transition her signs to words easier.
Hope she does well
good luck
I'm doing the same thing with mou say ity 10 month old, I say the words to her and say now you say it she trys to minic me, as you are signing. I think this is great.
