Baby Sign Language? - Rio Rancho,NM

We used a few basic words with our kids when they were younger. We started them at around 4-5 months. We would say the word as we were signing it. It definitely comes in handy when they aren't able to talk yet. We started off with please, thank you, more, eat, drink, yes, and no. As they got older, we added a few other words like stop, come here, and sit down. Every once in a while, I find myself still using it. (i.e. We were at a friends house and my 5 year old was a cross the room from me. He was touching something he shouldn't have. I called his name and signed 'no' and 'come here' when he looked at me. I then told him he's not to be touching other people's stuff.) It comes in handy when you're in public and don't want to yell across the room. ;o) We haven't learned any new words, but my older 2 have voiced a desire to learn the full language and maybe be an interpreter when they're older. You can find the basics online. Good luck and have fun with it. :o)

Hi. When my older son was two we started using sign language with him because he had speech delay. His little brother that was 6 months old started using signs before he was a year old, it was the cutest thing ever. (not to mention he could communicate earlier than most his peers)He also started talking around 1, so it didn't interfere with his speech either. A GREAT website is www.aslpro.com
C.

Hey Megan,
When we moved to Albuquerque our new neighbor had a 1 year old whom they had taught some basic signs. I thought it was cute but really unnecessary and wondered how it effected her speech. A year later we were in the middle of an adoption and while browsing the baby books I came across some books on signing with your baby. I read about how it helps with their speech especially if while you are signing you say the words. I sort of took the cheap way out and looked words up online and when my son was about 5 or 6 months old we started with the basic manners, please and more. After he mastered those we learned thank you and a few others. He picked them up rather fast and has been using them on a regular basis. People have always commented on how cute he was and when they ask him if he would like more he always replies please and once given whatever it is he signs thank you. A lot of the ALS words are almost the same gesture so we have made a few words (signes) of our own up like drink. So if you have the time I say go for it! It really does make things easier and to be honest its nice to not have him whine all the time because he wants something that he cant either point or say the word for!
Great luck!

I personally havent tought my children to sign, but have been thinking about it. My sister-in-law has a daughter who just turned a year old, not too long ago and has tought her to sign...she signs better than she speaks! I think it is a good thing to teach children, its a great think to know. I have a cousin who is deaf and of course not using signing everyday I have forgotten most, but it is a good thing, I think more parents should teach their children. I would check the library for books or even local bookstores.

I've been using sign language cards by publishers of Parenting magazine. There are 50 commonly used words for baby...sleep, I love you, more, done, hurt, don't like, mommy, daddy, etc. I started using a few simple signs when my daughter was around 5 months old. She now uses about 10 signs and would probably use more if I was better at learning new ones. Your daughter may not seem to be catching on at first, but be patient and consistent with using the sign every time you say the word. She'll surprise you one day!

I will be sitting for a familly that uses baby sign language. So I am in the process of learning it myself! My kids are really enjoying learning it too! That My baby can talk web sight is great, it has a video section that shows you some of the signs.
Enjoy!
L.

I really found the book "Baby Sign Language Basics, Early Communication for Hearing Babies and Toddlers" by Monta Z. Briant to be helpful. It is nice because it is almost like a baby sign dictionary. It also gives some ideas about how and when to start signing with your baby. Also, check out the website www.mybabycantalk.com. It has a dictionary of signs on there. I really enjoyed teaching my son sign and I plan to do it with my next child as well.

THe only advice I would add to the others, is something I read in my book "Baby Signs". And that is to make sure you incorporate "highly motivating" signs to the signs you teach your baby, instead of only doing the signs you want her to know. So I started with doing about 10 signs total so as not to overwhelm my son. I did half objects my son loved to do, like ball, rock, keys, and the other half were ones I wanted him to be able to communicate like milk, more, eat. He did his first sign at 7 months and now has MANY signs (18 months old) in addition to a few words.

It really helps because his words duck, truck, cracker, and yucky all sound alike when he says them, so if I ask him to show me with his hands, it really helps clarify. "Oh! You want to eat a cracker!" and he gets one. It has taken so much frustration out of our communication. If he gets mad or whines I tell to "tell me nicely" and he immediately signs what he wants or what is troubling him. It's great because he has learned that he gets results when he communicates nicely wiht his hands and words, and not when he hits or whines. If we didn't have signs, I'd have to guess what he wanted when he cries and we would both be frustrated. Plus it's cute! and my extended family knows the basic signs (I look them up in my book or online when I need a new one) and can watch him and know when he's hungry, wants his blanket, hears an airplane etc. The "highly motivating" signs are fun for him, and he uses them constantly and learns them instantly after me showing him one time now that he's older. He loves to tell me about the truck or the airplane we see. And he can tell me if he wants to "jump" on the trampoline or go on a walk. It's fun! The book I have is full of fun activities to do with signs to help make it fun and bonding for both of you.

Hi Megan S, I started signing with my daughter about 6 months old and it is so much fun!!! She is now 18 months and does about 25 signs. More, please, thank you, dog, drink, eat, milk. Just a few, the best web sight I found was WWW.mybabycantalk.com I order the viedo and use the dictionary often. I also bought a book at babies-R-us, it is also helpful. I forgot the name but it is something like, 300 signs with your baby. Good luck and have fun, it is so exciting to see them ask for what they need or want!!!!! C. G

I have a 5 month old and am attempting to teach her sign. I also babysit a 3 yr old and he knows colors in sign plus a few other signs but I use www.mybabycantalk.com it works for me right now until I can pick up some books.

I heard "sign time"is great book to start signing,I use some signs with my 11 month old,we started when he was about 4 months old.good luck....

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Hi Megan! I am actually the District Manager for Baby Signs here in Arizona. I have signed with both of my kids (my son started signing at 8 months, my daughter at 4 months) and it is VERY HHELPFUL and FUN! I have a large team of Instructos who offer storytimes, play groups, and classes. E-mail me at ____@____.com and I will be so happy to give you more information!

Try to get in touch with the Early Intervention Program of Arizona they have pamplets and books. The earlier you start the better and there will never be a down side to it. Good luck!

Hi Megan! I've been signing with my son now since he was 6 months old, and it is slow at first when you start that young, but now he is 17 months and he signs like 30 signs. My sister did the same thing with her son who is 6 days older and he also has like 35 signs. I found it to be really helpful and it eases frustration for the baby when he wants to communicate with you but can't say the word yet. My son is now talking and signing about half and half. I just got a book called "baby signs" because that is the one my sister recommended and was using. I would definately do it! My son is able to communicate with us so well now, I know exactly what he wants and it is so fun! Happy signing!

Hi megan,
I think teaching sign language to your baby can start as early
as 6 months. There is a good book on this topic,but I cant re-
member the authors name, but if memory serves me correctly the
authors last name is of Hispanic origin.The author is a male.
I recommend you go to a Borders book store. They will be able to help you.

Hi, Megan. I have done sign language with my sons, now ages 2.5 and 6.5. We started when my second son was about 6 months old and my then 4-year-old really got into it, too, which was really cool because it gave him something to help teach the younger one. They really bonded over it! We'll be doing it all over again with my daughter, who is now just 3 months. We usually go to the library and get large picture books of signs for the little ones (there are fun kids books like Moses Goes to School, Moses Sees a Play, etc), and cute little videos that help us practice. We also love flashcards in our house, and you can even make your own by photocopying out of signing books and pasting the pictures on index cards - you wouldn't use this idea until your daughter gets a little older, of course. (But preschool-age kids love this kind of activity!) And here's a good website for you to check out for now: www.mybabycantalk.com/index.aspx. Have a great time!

My son started at 6 months old and he only learned one or tow signs right away. We went to a baby signs class thru the baby signs institute here in AZ and I just loved it I have all the books and the videos. The videos are the greatest and have helped him, myself and my husband know what the signs are. they have little babies in it and a bear which makes learning fun. My son is now 15 months old and knows about 30 to 35 signs and is learning more of them each day. I love the process and how much it has eliminated frustration and temper tantrums. I am currently pregnant and will use baby signs again for my second child. If you are interested they have a web site and have class all the time. the web site is babysings.com. I hope this helps you. M. P.