I am looking for advise about baby sign language. I run a small home daycare and am thinking about starting to teach the children sign language. I care for a 1 year old, a 2year old, 4 month old and in a few months another 4 month old. I want to see what books or dvds have worked for others before jumping in and just purchasing the first thing I see :) Any advise would be appreciated!
I started teaching my 5yr old sign when she was about 1. I started with things like eat....drink...baby...car...stuff that she could relate to.Look for books with easy illistrations. ASL is the most common(American Sign Language)ASL was easier for me and my little one than Signed English.Be careful though and make sure you speak english also for whatever they ask for because they can get lazy and have speech delays.
Go to the library, there were several different options there. You an try several and see which ones you like. I loved doing the baby signs, it helped so much with tantums and frustration for my son and the little girl I care for. I can't remember which book I read, but I picked up a few signs from the book, made up/altered some, and the kids created a few of their own. Just remember to be consistant, use them all the time while you talk, and the older ones will pick it up in no time. My son is three and will still use them occasionlly if he thinks I'm not getting the message fast enough. Good luck, and happy signing.
Serena,
I love sign language. My son and I started when he was 10 months by watching a show on pbs. I will find out what it was for you by going to pbs.org. Its was a fun show and he talks at 21 months and still uses it. It really helps when they cant talk I wish the school hes in taught it, so I learned at home with him.
Baby Einstein line has "Baby Wordsworth" DVD which is very good. PBS had a signing show on this past summer called "Signing Time" which was excellent! Maybe you could look at their website and could purchase the line or see if they will be running it again.
