I was wondering if anyone has bought a baby signing book, and if they found it helpful. What book(s) would you recommend? Should I buy it or just check it out from the Library?Is there a better way to learn other than taking a class?
I was told about 2.5 yrs ago that my DS was deaf. So we started the process of taking sign and learning to be able to communicate with him. I have found that there sometimes is a big difference between baby sign and ASL--so don't start thinking that because you know a baby sign that it carries over to ASL. As far as helping, I know that my son was able to communicate saying please, milk, more, finished, up, down, and his favorite animals by the age of 1. And his 2 next older sisters were learning the signs too, and it cut back on the crying and frustration when they couldn't vocalize the things that they wanted because often they had the sign to use instead. I wouldn't buy a book yet, I would check some out from the library and see which ones would fit your needs first, then buy only the ones that you want. There are a LOT of books on signing and baby signs, you just need to pick and chose. Fortunately for us our story turns out better than most because our DS is not deaf like they had told us, but the signing was a great help....and we have continued to use it with our next child too.
Julie--SAHM of 6
We used the book "Baby Signs" and the ASL dictionary since we needed real signs. We just looked up the signs as we were ready for them. It worked well with both our kids for things like more, thank you, please, all done, etc. One really took to it and learned the names of everything as well as favorite activities. The other just did it because it was required manners and didn't use it for anything else. GL! We loved it and are convinced it helped with the terrible twos stage because even if they didn't know the word, they were willing to try or even make up their own. Have fun talking!
My sister gave me the book Baby Signs. But you can use ASL if you'd rather. I liked the book because it explains all the theory behind teaching sign. It really cemented my resolve to do it with my boys. And it was an amazing experience! You should hear their vocabularies now. And it's so gratifying to be able to converse with your toddler, stem tantrums, and see what they're thinking about. My boys astounded me by finding hidden, or even abstract images in books, and telling me what they thought it looked like. It's a window into their wonderful brains, and it kept them so happy because they knew I was interested in what they had to say.
BTW, the signs in Baby Signs aren't real sign language, but my boys dropped signing as soon as they could talk, and don't remember their signs anymore. So I don't see that it's a "lasting gift" to teach them real ASL. And they ended up creating their own signs, and I loved the freedom to make up a logical sign on the fly when my sons wanted to learn a new word and I didn't have time to look it up in an ASL dictionary. But if I needed inspiration for more signs to teach them, I found an online ASL dictionary with video to show how it's done. Just google for it.
We LOVE the baby signing time DVDs. My son picked them up in days after starting to watch them when he was 12 months old. They have baby signing time and then they have ones for older kids. babysigningtime.com
Also watch your listing for PBS for the show SigningTimes
We taught our daughter to sign when she was very young (still working on my son). From a very early age (7 mos) we plopped her in front of a couple of signing videos whenever we needed a few minutes to shower, cook dinner, etc. We, of course, watched them too and then did the signs over and over with her whenever their was an opportunity. By 10-11 mos, she was signing some of the basics... more, milk, all done, etc.
If you choose to go the video route, I would highly recommend the Talking Hands video (to learn the very basic signs-- and for the repetition) and then the Signing Time series (which are a lot of fun for the kids to watch -- and cover a whole range of topics). My daughter is now 4 and still LOVES to watch the Signing Time videos... and continues to sign despite the fact she started talking in sentences at about 15-16 mos.
We haven't been as diligent with my son, so he hasn't watched much of the videos. We just keep signing in front him and he's learned a few on his own. I think repetition on the parents part is key. Good luck!
I bought the Baby Einstein "First Signs" DVD and it is excellent! It uses Marlee Matlin and really simple signs that my daughter picked up easily (like "all done"). I believe I bought it at Target. In the baby section, on an endcap.
We also have the BE "Baby Wordsworth — Words Around the House" DVD. This one incorporates signs into the rest of the DVD but it isn't the main focus. It's more of a follow-up to the other one.
Hi Deborah,
We just used this free online ASL browser. There were some signs that our son adapted himself (like flapping his hands furiously when he was 'all done') but we just chose some of the basics and started using them. This browser actually shows you how to do the sign - no classes necessary, no money spent!
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm
Good luck!
We liked the set from Discovery Toys. It was a DVD, two board book, and a poster with signs on it. My daughter loved the books especially--we would look at pictures of children signing, and then do the sign, and then she would sign as well.
Good Luck. If you don't know someone who sells discovery toys, pm me and I will give you a name and number.
Check out this website. It really helps me when I forget what something is http://www.mybabycantalk.com/content/dictionary/dictionaryofsigns.aspx?letter=A
Hope this helps!
I'm with Erika B. We use the Baby Einstein "First Signs" and my 13 month old daughter has been watching it since about 3 months or so, maybe even earlier. She loves it and signs "milk", "baby", and "eat" so far, and is working on "Mom" and "Dad".
Oh, Deborah,Baby Signs classes are super! I started signing with my daughter in February 07 she was ~8 months, and by the time she was a year she had a decent vocabulary. She would sign about things that we hadn't even noticed and we'd end up playing "I spy" some!
https://www.babysigns.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=aboutus.main
They most certainly have books, videos, etc.
The most important thing I learned at the class is repetition and consistency (same with everything involving Toddlers).
Ex. "Do you want some MILK (signing)? Oh some MILK (signing) sounds nice, doesn't it? Let me get the MILK (signing) for you."
Worked like a charm, took some time and then she was signing all the time even making phrases!
Good luck and good job mommin'!
Ada
Hi Deborah,
I think baby signing is a really cool idea and its great showing it off to friends and family. I personally however never taught my babies to sign and they were all talking by 13mos, usually a few months earlier though, and I have heard that teaching your baby to sign may actually delay speech develpment. Do your research first and decide what's best for you and your family. Good luck!
Carla C.
I used to be on an internet radio program for mothers. The gal who started it runs her own company called SignBabies. You can go to signbabies.com she has books shes written that are great, she has flash cards, etc. You can also get videos of Signing Time from Deseret Book or off the internet, these are great for kids. I loved signing with my now 2 year old. It changed our lives, he never throws a tantrum. You can also download our radio programs, we talk a lot about signing and everything else. Go to Babiesandmomsradio.com for more info. or check it out on Itunes. Good Luck!
Deborah - When my second was born, my mother-in-law gave my two year old Baby Signing Time videos. (vol.1&2) They are so much fun. My little guy is now 19mo. and loves them. Neither of our kids can sit still long enough to really watch TV but they both love the videos. Our little girl is now four and knows about 75 signs. I think the website is babysigningtime.com. They also have a segment on PBS Sunday mornings. I've learned a lot from watching the videos too!
I enjoyed signing with my daughter I got a book from my sil that was called baby signs (I think). But basically said to try some simple signs for things that happen in the baby's day. Pay attn to what signs they may be using (not necessarily the "official" sign) and go with that. I know of some folks that don't like signing since they think it effects their verbal. I'm mixed,my daughter wasn't very verbal when she was "supposed" to be BUT we were able to communicate effectively much earlier(she was 7 or 8 months) with her signs than if we waited until JUST verbal skills. Also I think that the signing helped her understand that there were more than just the one way to say something when adults can't understand her toddler talk. I encourage it with family and friends and enjoyed the experience but understand misgivings. I also didn't try to sign everything and let it go when she wanted to be talking. Have fun with it and good luck.
We started with the My Baby can Talk videos - someone mentioned the website below. We started with the videos at around 6 months; my daughter is now 9 months and has a couple of signs down. It is a wonderful way for additional communication with your children. She loved the videos and stayed very interested in them much longer than I thought she would - she has no interest in the TV. We tried them out at the library and then purchased them. There are also a few board books with beginning signs available at the library as well. Good luck it is a lot of fun!
Baby signs is good, but you can get the gist after one read, so get it from the library rather than buying it. Hands down, the best resource is Signing Time. It is a set of DVD's that teach sign language to children. They have a few specifically for babies. My daughter knew over 150 signs at sixteen months old. I can't say enough about them. Get them from the library.
I personally love Signing Time on PBS. It is on at like 3AM here so we DVR it. They also have their episodes (and cool stuff like books and flash cards and music) on their website, www.signingtimekids.org. Julia has been watching since she was around 6 months old, which is when I started using signs with her, maybe earlier. I started with "please," "all done," and "more" as they are simple and effective in what she needed to tell me. She LOVES the show, its her favorite and she loves to watch "alex n lelah(leah)" There is obviously more in the show than an infant can comprehend, but she liked to watch the kids...but mostly she loved the songs. She loves the CDs we've gotten her of the signing songs. Now that she's an excellent talker we do'nt sign as much, but still sometimes. She likes to learn new ones, and we watch for entertainment as well.
Pick a book or show or anything for you---and learn 3 or 4. Then start incorporating them everytime you use that word. Our next ones were "help" and "thank you" and "hungry" and "drink and water(2 signs but she used interchangably" You'll be amazed at how much you learn...but its really the inundation in their environment that helps them associate I think.