Baby Sign Language?

[imadisneyholic]

How many of you have experience with this? I'm considering trying to teach my daughter but don't know if it's worth the time. How young can you start teaching them? Any info is greatly appreciated.

 

[oxfordcircus]

My friend taught her baby, well...2.5 yo, some signs. Just basic stuff like "eat" "more" and "I'm done." It worked well for her as far as dinner time.

 

[KristiKelly]

I did this was our DD. She was a late talker and would get frustrated easily. I started around 14 mo. I just taught her a few basics, eat, drink, more, and a few others, can't remember now. Anyway, it really helped that she could let us know what she wanted without crying all the time.

It did take several days for her to understand. She will still do the signs for eat & drink. She's 20 mo now.

 

[jrmasm]

We taught DD a few signs around 10-12 months. Please, thank you, more, cup, eat. I think it helped alot that she was able to communicate with us.

She just turned 3 and is ridiculously articulate (I had concerns that her speech would be delayed if she could sign). And she still signs 'more' when she's really excited.

 

[ilovejack02]

My cousin used it with her baby. I visited her at the age of 1 and she was signing really well ( well for a 1 yr old LOL) I know her mom said she had been using it for a while, maybe started trying to teach her around 8-10 months. I dont think its so much "teaching" them, just using the signs everytime you talk to her...
I didnt use it with my DS4 But will try with the next little one.

 

[sahwifeandmommy]

My children love to learn sign language. We use a dvd program called Signing Time. It is wonderful-my little one is only a year and a half and he loves it. It can be found as a show on a few PBS stations but we don't pick it up so we order the tapes from signingtime.com They have a forum on that board too. I have not used the baby signing time but we love the program. My friend who is deaf recommended them to me. She uses them at home with her little one who is hearing. They are very well done and the music is very catchy

 

[mickeyboat]

I saw commercials on TV for a new Baby Einstein video on signing.

Denae

 

[Mrs.Toad]

We taught my dd some signs. Starting from when she was about 6 months old, we'd just make the sign as we said the word. She picked it up the way she picked up the meaning of spoken language. The thing is, they don't have the ability to speak the words as early as they can understand them, but they can make some easy signs much younger.

The books we read said babies can start making signs around 7-8 months old, and she didn't start that early, but she did by about 10-11 months. It was really helpful for that time when her language was so hard to understand. Like when she started saying "baa" and doing the ball sign, or "ah bul" and doing the apple sign.

It came in very handy one time in particular when she pointed to her ear and then did the "hurt" sign (I think she was about 14 months old). Took her to the doctor and she had an ear infection! She never cried or tugged at her ear with ear infections, so for that one time alone, it was worth it for us.

 

[Kimmumum]

My friend taught her son when he was about 10 months old....he is 26 months old now. It was a Godsend. There were times when you knew he was frustrated and wanted something but had no clue what it was. Then he would sign and all would be right with the world. Because he started when he was little he kind of adapted his own signs. They only taught him the basics like...milk, cookie, eat, more, thank you, etc. Even now when he gets frustrated he'll use it. I recommend it!!

 

[laurajetter]

I'm teaching my 18 month old son right now. I taught a few on my own and we are currently taking a baby sign language class at the YMCA. I was concerned because he barely says 3 words, dada, mama, and uh oh. I have a meeting with a speech pathologist scheduled later this month to evaluate him to make sure there isn't anything developmentally wrong. The lady who came for the initial meeting was signing to him from the moment she stepped in, and she relieved my worries that sign language could further delay him (I had read repeatedly that that ISN'T the case, that sign language actually helps them, but I was hearing doubtful comments from family and friends.

Let me tell you, it is awesome! His mind is a little sponge and he is learning new signs almost every day! So far he knows bye bye, eat, all done, milk, book, diaper change, yogurt, banana, baby, more, help, ball, water, and dog. It is so cool to be able to communicate with him. If he is having trouble with something, he signs 'help', if he is hungry he signs "eat" and then the thing he is hungry for (usually bananas!).

It really alleviates whining and tantrums because the child can actually specifically communicate their needs to you. Non-signing babies can cry, whine, yell, etc. to let you know they want/need something, but sometimes it's a guessing game as to exactly what it is they need. Also, my son will just comment on things happening around him, so I know what's going on in his little mind. It really does open a whole new world!

I HIGHLY recommend baby sign language, you and the child will benefit! The key is that if they are hearing babies (not hearing-impaired) it's crucial that you always say the word you are signing; remember, the ultimate goal is to get them to speak!

The lady from MD's Infants and Toddlers program lent me a couple DVDs on baby signing called "Signing Time!"... they are EXCELLENT. Before watching them I thought they would be too boring for a little kid to learn from; however, they gear it toward kids with a combination of illustrations, a person demonstrating the correct sign, little kids & babies signing, video clips, kids voices, etc. It really holds my son's attention. I mainly work with him one on one and in his class, but occasionally let him watch the DVD, which he loves! There are a whole bunch of volumes... you can get more information at signingtime.com.

PM me if you want any more info on baby signing!

Laura

ETA: In response to your question of how young can they be, my DS's baby sign language teacher said she has had a baby as young as 7 months begin to sign. You can begin signing as early as you want to, just remember that 7 months is about the earliest they are able to sign back, and it could take longer. Don't give up! I didn't begin signing until Jacob was well over 1 and he didn't seem to take to it after many weeks of me signing. I got discouraged.

Then suddenly one day, after I had stopped signing for quite a bit of time, he signed 'book' and wanted me to read to him! That was such a great feeling! I ran outside in my pajamas to go tell DH that Jacob signed his first word! and that is when I went full force into teaching him more signs and signing him up for class.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I babysit a little girl who signs when she's hungry, when she's done, when she's ready for sleep, and when she's thirsty. It makes communicating with her easier!

 

[Mrs.Toad]

We like the Siging Time videos, too. Even my older dd (around 6 at the time), loved to watch those DVDs and learn signs along with her little sis.

I love the silly pizza song!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

DD is a very late talker and from just one commercial of the Baby Einstein DVD she started signing the words from that and she still does now a couple weeks later! we are soo surprised

 

[imadisneyholic]

Thank you so much for all the helpful info!! I'm going to give it a try! She's a little too young to be starting just yet from the sound of it. She's only 5 months but while waiting I can begin pulling all this stuff together. I will definitely check out that Signing Times site.

 

[sahwifeandmommy]

I was just thinking of the silly pizza song-I think I read that there is a new silly pizza song on one of the newer dvds. I think I need to order that one next. Mine also love the song on The Great Outdoors where they slap the mosquito-they think that is the funniest thing

 

[Mrs.Toad]

ooh, we don't have the one with the Slap the Mosquito song! I'll bet that's funny.

Hmm, may have to see if the library has that one, just for fun!

 

[CEDmom]

I honestly don't see the point of this. Long before my DD could really talk she was able to communicate by pointing to what she wanted. I think you'd be much better off putting your energy into talking with your baby. Point to items as you say them and pretty soon he/she will be able to point to an item when you just say it.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My sister taught my niece and nephew the basics and they picked it up quick. They talk now, but when they don't get our attention right away they will sign!!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

My children love to learn sign language. We use a dvd program called Signing Time. It is wonderful-my little one is only a year and a half and he loves it. It can be found as a show on a few PBS stations but we don't pick it up so we order the tapes from signingtime.com They have a forum on that board too. I have not used the baby signing time but we love the program. My friend who is deaf recommended them to me. She uses them at home with her little one who is hearing. They are very well done and the music is very catchy

I love signing time. It is a great series. The "show me a sign" song makes me tear up every time.

I know sign language, and have been signing for over 15 years now. My girls love to learn it, and both used it as a baby. They also were both very verbal kids and have amazing vocabularies now.

Good luck.

 

[TerryKitten]

I taught DS about 5-6 months... His words were Milk, eat, more, water. It helped w/ some frustration. We got the "around the house" baby einstine DVD when it came out at about a year or so he was signing the words as they signed them. He sorta remembers them now.