Has anyone taught sign language to you baby and/or toddler?  I'm just curious.  Ian is almost 15 months old, and besides the common "mama" and "dada" that I think all little ones are capable of saying, he's not attempting to say anything else.  Don't get my wrong, I certainly don't think he should be talking in full sentences or anything~ neither of my girls did until between 2-3.  However, I do think he should soon be attempting some other words, such as "ball", etc. 

I got to thinking of a little guy that we would babysit on occasion and how he would come to me and do the little sign for "more" whenever he wanted more drink or more food.  I tried teaching this to Ian, and now when I say "do you want more?" he will do what looks more like a patty-cake than the actual sign~ but at least I know he learned and he's trying.

So, it got me wondering if anyone else here in the blogosphere has done this, and how it worked for you.  Please share your methods, any book(s) you might have used/read, and if you would recommend this or not (and why).  I'm very curious!

Thanks.......

Share Your Thoughts

Jul. 12, 2007 - baby signs

Posted by erica23johnson

I've taught all of my children to sign as infants. When they hit about 8 months old we begin with more, and slowly add, eat, drink, all-done, please, thankyou. I babysit my friend's 18 month old son and he has also learned up, down, help, out, and a few various animals. It really makes a difference when your child can communicate with you. I haven't noticed that signing hinders their talking. We always say the word when we sign it. In the begining, I make the sign when I say the word, then I help the child make the sign everytime we do the action. We just add a few signs at a time until a few are mastered. There is a book called Baby Signs by Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn. Hope this helps! If you have any questions please ask!

Share Link

Jul. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Landon does: more, milk, and one time did ball. As you know Landon doesn't talk at all. He days mama, dada, and gog (dog), but that is it. He picked up on the baby signs from Baby Einstein sign video. I had no clue he was picking it up, but he was. I think he started picking it up around Ian's age.

~Randi

Share Link

Jul. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by dartwns

My MIL got a simple signing book and we taught Landon the basics - eat, drink, please, thank you, more (to name a few) - it was fairly easy and I think it helps them so much to be able to communicate.

Share Link

Jul. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by NotebookingNook

My now 15 yod didn't speak until she was 4. I didn't really take much time to teach her ASL, however, I wish I had. She is very passionate about learning it, not really sure why. My sister has 4 kids under 5 and she has taught them all how to sign. I can't recall what it is she uses. She also has a late talker and he is able to communicate his wants with her, which is wonderful to see. My 15 yod and he sign together alot, I guess she can relate to him, which is nice for him.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by my blog. I used a Mac program called AppleWorks to make up the menu. But... you can do the same thing in Word. After making your table, just highlight the boxes you want colored and then choose your color. Let me know if you have any other questions about it.

One last thing, I LOVE your blog, I stop by often and read your reviews and your other posts. Thanks for all you do!

Share Link

Jul. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by quietcajun

I have done this and I DO highly reccommend it b/c it gives non-speakers a way to communicate and it also gives a standard in church nursery, etc. if all of the children are taught it... more, eat, potty, hungry, cookie, all done, etc.

I urge that the word ALWAYS be used out loud along with it though so that the child never become dependant on sign. When the girls in the church nursery (this was when mine were babies) turned 2 and would still only sign, PLEASE, MORE, ALL DONE... I would say, "GOOD signing..now let me hear your words!" They eventually dropped off the signing and did just the word!

Share Link

Jul. 12, 2007 - Yes!

Posted by anyachristine

I would absolutely recommend using sign language in your home. Not only will it aid your child in communicating (thus removing the frustration barrier), it will also give your child another way of communicating with non-speaking children. I have used the Signing Time videos with great success. The kids love them! I am also reviewing a book called Simple Signing with Children by Carol Garboden Murray that looks very good as well.

God's Blessings-
Christy

Share Link

Jul. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I taught Kaden to sign and he could/can do several signs. More, thank you, please. We love Signing Time DVDs. They are wonderful and fun! The songs are catchy and the kids don't realize they are learning ASL. You can check the site out here www.signingtime.com
Michele
Koreamom.blogspot.com

Share Link

Jul. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by denisebp

We've used basic sign language with all of our children and we loved it. It helps alleviate frustration on their part, and we never had a problem with them not wanting to talk, believe me! :)

Thanks for your comment on my blog.
I laughed (with you!) so hard about you leaving your swim suits, etc. behind. I'm always so glad when other people get it! As crazy as it is right now, it sure makes me laugh a lot!

Denise

Share Link

Jul. 13, 2007 - Never did... but...

Posted by canadianladybug

my sister-in-law taught some to my nephew who has a disability. I also have the book BabyWise 2 but I never bother...
I think I saw a new DVD from Baby Einstein which teach sign language. You should check it out!

Share Link

Jul. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by KarenW

I can't say anything one way or another about sign language because it just wasn't a big thing when mine were babies. At least, being in Romania, I hadn't heard about it. But, I will say first of all, don't compare boys with girls in learning to speak. They go about it at completely different speeds. I always say that my first two, 19 months apart, learned to talk at the same time. Also- Was Ian in an English speaking orphanage or did he primarily hear Vietnamese? Bilingual babies start speaking later, typically 18 months to 2 years. While he may not be truly bilingual, his first few months of life were spent absorbing a different language and then switched to a new one. It will take him longer to sort it all out. My youngest, Holly, was learning 3 languages her first year and didn't say anything, not even mama or dada until she was a year old. All that to say, don't worry. He'll be saying plenty soon! He's so cute on the swing!!

http://www.woodward-family.com/karenwoodward/blog.html

Share Link