Wanting to Teach Baby Sign Language.

I would recommend getting an ASL book (basically any kind) and going with that. Baby sign language is good, but doesn't really help any in the future. I taught my three youngest (as babies) American Sign Language instead and they still use it today when they are upset/overwhelmed. I think it is one of the best things I have done for them. My oldest didn't start until he was four years old (that's when I started learning) and he is pretty good, too. Sign Language is used worldwide, with only slight variations from ASL, so the kids will feasibly be able to communicate with LOTS of ppl they wouldn't otherwise. Baby sign language is fine if you only want them to be able to communicate with you-for now, but why not teach/use the real thing?
There are many, many books out there. I would look thru before buying and make sure they have pics to show how to form the signs properly.
Good Luck-I would start right away, I noticed my youngest mimicking my signs as early as 4 months.
She won't make the signs exactly the right way, but you will get to know what 'her' signs mean. Communicating with your baby is so important and I am so excited for you to get started

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I agree that you might as well go with real signs for things like "more" and "drink" "eat" "bed" and so one. As you talk to your baby use the signs repeatedly. Begin when you are feeding her and repeatedly use the signs for "more" and "drink" and one day she will sign back to you. It is a wonderful moment. She is not too young for you to start now. Make sure she has mastered one before you go to another.

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Your wrong about your daughter learning signs babies starting learn as soon as they are borm. Now is a good time to start. For books use try "Sign with your baby" by Dr Joseph Garcia. It has an accompaniny video but I have never used it. The videos I like are the Signing Time ones. There are several differnt versions use the ones designed for preschoolers. They are available at most libriaries or online at www.signingtime.com. The school aged one starts with letters and numbers which are not appropriate for babies. Also you can check out www.aslpro.com. They have several (video) online dictionaries including one just for babies. They also have an app for your mobile phone. The important thing is for you to use the signs along with your speech. Your daughter may not be able to sign back as yet but will learn to associate the sign and word with the object or action. I have a son with a speech delay issue and signing has really worked to minimize tantrums. I also have a deaf sister and I have used signs with my children since they were born. Let me tell you there is no greater reward then having your 6 mo. infant make eye contact with you and give you the sign for milk. Also I ended up having a son with a speech delay. Because I have been working with him since he was born, his comprehension skills are way advanced for a child with speech issues and we have not had the problems with him hitting other children that is common for kids with speech issues. Good luck.

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I have done signing with all three of my children and I loved it. My sister also started with her daughter and was very succesful. There is a show on PBS called "Signing Time" that is great. My 2 year old niece knows all the letters of the alphabet- randomly! I do not remember the programs I used, but I do know the sooner you start, the better. Good luck and have fun- since my girls were late talkers- signing really helped us.

There is a 2 DVD set called "Baby Signing Time" and they are great! My kids LOVE them! They go over lots of normal everyday words - please, thank you, more, done, mommy, daddy, drink, eat, cat, dog, bird, etc.

They do it all in a song with cartoon-like stuff. GREAT!!!

I bought a book on baby sign language only to learn that it's exactly the same as "regular" sign language. Just get any old book that can teach you the signs, and pick a couple to start with. It's more about learning them yourself, and using them constantly, than teaching your baby. When she starts to grasp the meaning she will copy what you do. I started with my son when he was 7 months old, and it took him a long time to start using them himself. Now at 18 months old (not talking yet) he will do signs for "more," "all done," "milk," "eat," "please," and "thank you." It also is helpful to have grandparents, babysitters, etc. also learn the signs and use them, both to reinforce the meaning, and so they know what your child is asking for! Good luck, be patient, and stick with it.

You might want to also check out "Signing Safari".

I'd also recommend picking up an adult signing book (like The Joy of Signing), get familiar with the official ASL (American Sign Language) signs, and check any baby signing resources to make sure the creators aren't just making up signs. (There are two camps on this - some folks think that dramatic differences between baby sign and ASL is okay, and others that believe babies can handle genuine ASL. Teaching her pure ASL will help any other caregivers better interpret what she is saying since there are so many resources for them to look up - and they don't have to commit your signs to memory, then possibly down the line have to learn a new set of signs for the next signing family, etc.)

We just got the "Signing Time" DVDs. All of my friends love them. We have yet to use them but are excited about them.

Hi, B.!

Good for you! Signing is an excellent way for babies to be able to communicate with us before their speech catches up. It will help her feel much less frustrated when she is a toddler, if she can tell you what she wants/needs.

I started teaching my children at 6 months. My son started signing back at 8 months, but my daughter didn't until 12 months. My friend's child did not sign back until 14 months. So I think it all depends on the personality of the child (some are more stubborn and would rather just scream to get what they want than "work" for it by signing).

I did use normal ASL, rather than the "baby" signs, with the exception of "help", which is a difficult one for babies to do. They do not have the motor skills for it. So for help, I taught them to tap their chest with both hands open, palms tapping the chest. Much easier. And an important sign, because as they start trying to do things, and become frustrated, they can immediately tell you they need help rather than crying and waiting for you to figure out why.

Obviously, babies won't sign exactly right, as they don't have the motor skills developed/refined for it, but you'll learn to recognize what your daughter is using for the signs you taught her. And as she develops those fine motor skills, the signs will get more and more like yours.

Garcia is the last name of one guy who wrote a book and has a video -- Baby Signs, maybe? Or Sign with Your Baby? I can't remember. But you can also use the internet - there are some great sites that show short videos on how to sign words. Google American Sign Language and you'll find a bunch of them.

Best signs to start with: more, help, eat, drink, water, milk, thank you, please, sorry.

Have fun!
J.

We taught my son a few words, mostly just by using them constantly when I said those words and by praising him if he attempted one on his own. He was in PT/OT/ST for developmental issues, and his therapists all encouraged the use of sign as a tool to improve his overall development.

I agree with the comments above mine about using "real" signs instead of baby signs.

I took ASL in college and I sang and signed to my twin sons after meals. They enjoyed it and when they spoke, they signed their first word: "good!" I use several books, but the Joy of Signing is probably the best.

She may not be able to do the signs herself at this age, but she can still learn the meanings of them if you start doing them now. Choose a few simple signs like "drink" "eat" - things that relate to what you do each day. You will be surprised how quickly she understands them! I think the Baby Einstein company has a video with baby signs. There are also a few baby sign language classes around town you can check out! Good luck!

we love signing time. they do great creative songs that teach the signs in a fun way. they also flash the word across the screen as they say it, so you get a little word recognition/early reading in too. :)

i think the one from discovery toys is annoying, but it is well made, and my kids like it.

There are plenty of free sites on the internet that will show you basic signs. I tried to teach my boys several signs, but all they every used was "more" , "milk", and "out". My oldest was speech delayed and he only ever used those three signs. I hope it works for you. Good luck.

I am actually a sign language interpreter so I've collected some good resources through the years. I found a great dvd at the public library that is really kid friendly. You can watch it yourself since your baby is so young, and learn the signs to the teach to her. Once she is older she might like watching the videos. It is a series, many variaties, called "Signing Time" by Rachel Coleman. Good luck!

I used the Baby Einstein videos for the basics. My 3 and 2 year olds were signing before they were talking and it make it a lot less frustrating than it was with my older 2. Plus they have really cool classical music that is relaxing for me.

I agree that you should use ASL and start using signs when you are speaking to them. It takes a while to catch on, but start with just 1 or 2. We started with eat and milk. My daughter is almost 2 and still uses sign language. Of course, there is her own interpretation of some of them, but we know what she's trying to say and that's what really matters. Here's another resource when you want to look up a particular word.

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm

I have an assoicates degree in sing language. For a child like that, any basic book you can find in a store will help you get started. And, you will be surprised how much they can pick up! Not at 3 monts, but very soon. Anyway....it is really a good thing to do because they usually know what they want before they can express it.

Good luck!

I wish signing were taught in every school in this country as a required language. Deaf Americans are still Americans. They just communicate with a different form of English from the rest of us. They deserve to be able to communicate with everyone else. Not only that, but signing is a wonderful way to communicate, and learning it helps us to understand the deaf community better.

The best way to teach signing is to find a group in your area that offers classes. They are usually pretty affordable, and the instructor will be able to help you make the signs correctly. Sign language is very precise, and the smallest mistake in making the sign can be like a speech impediment (at best) or the wrong phrase or word (at worst).

Learning signing is as complicated as learning any foreign language since signing is just as complex as any other language.

Try to find out if there are any groups in your area that offer classes.

We taught all our kids anywhere from 5-30 signs. The first child tended to learn more and we had less time/patience once the others came along. :-) We never bought a video though. I had the 'Signing for Dummies' book and learned a few signs from friends. Starting when baby was about 9-10 months old, we'd use a few signs. It's easiest to start, IMO, with just 1 or 2 signs that you use EVERYTIME you say that word. We started with "more"... easy to use many times at each meal and while playing (more swinging?). It took about a month or so of seeing the sign before baby figured it out and signed back to us. Once they signed back, we added other signs and they were each signing back a handful of signs by their 1st birthday. My son continued to add signs and use them until he was 3, my girls lost interest pretty quickly, though, once they were stringing 2-3 words sentences (around 18 months).

Signing Time has great videos. We have signed with all three of our children and highly recommend it. You will be amazed at how much your baby understands but is unable to communicate until they talk or sign. It also helps them develop language skills and talk earlier, not to mention it's so cute and helpful to you. Signingtime.com

Hi B.
When my daughter was 20 mos. old she knew 30 different signs. I played Baby Einstein - My First Signs for her. She always loved Baby Einstein. I would put her in front of the TV in her swing when I would make dinner or whenever she needed to just needed to settle down. It is rated for 6 mos. plus. She was signing at about 12 mos. old and my husband and I had to watch it because she was signing and we didn't know what she was signing. It was really cool. Baby Einstein has another DVD to follow My First Signs and it is called Baby's Favorite Places and is for 1 yr. plus. I really believe she has learned so much from Baby Einstein DVDs. I know that having your children watch TV before 2 years old is not recommended but thus far I would disagree. She is 3 1/2 yrs. old and extremely intelligent. Good luck!

They say that if you start by 6 months, they can use signs around 9 months! My son picked up "milk" quite quickly and uses it both when he wants to nurse and when he's just plain thirsty.
I LOVE Signing Time and there is a Baby Signing Time 2-disk set you can get with lots of the beginning signs. Otherwise, just learning some basic signs from ASL websites will get you pretty far.
Also, check and see if a library or community center near you has classes. I know there are a couple places in Indy where you can take baby signing classes.

We are teaching our 11 month old son signs as well. We began at 6 months old with a few basic signs we'd picked up. But when he was about 9 mo old, we bought the Baby Signing Time DVD's. I HIGHLY recommend them. He loves to watch them and loves all the kids they show. The most important thing is to consistently use the signs yourself every time you use the words. Start with the basics like milk, sleepy, bath, drink, eat, etc. I love it and now that my son is signing back, it's well worth it!

I don't know the name of the program they used, but CHILDREN'S WORLD in Fishers taught the infants and toddlers sign language. Abbie still had a pacifier while using the sign language she was taught. Might give them a call.

Signing times is wonderful! I have tried a few different options but the videos from signing times seemed to keep my son interested the longest. I can't even remember how long he has been signing but he's nearly 3 and can do full sentences. He still loves watching the videos and learning new signs. We often pick up books at the library too. It's so fun for both of us to be able to communicate anywhere...across a crowded room for instance!! He's now into teaching his 9 month old sister!!

Hi B.,

Congratulations on a great decision! I started signing with my son (now 18 mos) at around 9 months. When he first started pointing to things he wanted.
I have several suggestions for you. First and foremost, always say the words and do the signs together. Sometimes sign on your baby's body, sometimes sign on your own body. Don't listen to people that tell you it is a waste of time or that it will delay speach. If you sign and say the word, your baby will pick up more words and have a bigger vocabulary. Plus, most babies only say one syllable of a word for quite sometime. Signing will help you differentiate between similar word/sounds like "da" for "dog" and "da" for "doll".
The first and easiest sign my son learned was "more". We introduced it at mealtimes. I tried for a really long time to introduce "milk", but my son didn't pick it up for a while. He picked up "more" within minutes.
Regarding videos, we started with Baby Einstein First Signs. He would only sit for short periods, so I just replayed the first 15 minutes each time we watched it. After watching the entire video a couple of times, he quickly got bored. We moved on to Baby Signing Time videos with Rachel Coleman. The first volume was bad, I would just borrow it from the library once. The second volume is markedly different, lively, and entertaining. My son really seems to enjoy those. Rachel has a great singing voice and she adds signs to songs to make it more interesting, captivating, and entertaining.
Above all, be consistent. Use the same signs for the same words, and use signs regularly. Food signs and animal signs are the easiest for my son to learn as those are his favorite things. Just pay attention to what your daughter is looking at and what she seems to enjoy, then tell her using the words and signs. You might also want to get a sign language book so you can look things up when she gets curious about objects you both haven't learned yet.

Good luck!

When my daughter was about 3 1/2-4months. I put in the Baby Einstein signs dvd once or twice a day plus I did the signs with her. She is 21 months and still does the milk sign and more sign. Its a great video.

M.

Hi, B..

I think you could start now, just sign the basic signs as you speak (i.e.: water, food, drink, mom, dad, kitty, love you, big, little, happy, sad, tired, why, I love you...) so it will come naturally. Just like your audible words.

I had an early reader (age 4) so we played spelling games, even in the car while he rode in the back seat. His brother was almost 4 years younger, and he caught on as a toddler.

This was helpful when he began to read since the alphabet signs look like the letters. Here is a funny story: Cameron wrote well, but had three letters backwards each time -- they were "c", "b" and "l". We discovered that they were the ones that looked backwards from his view of his right hand in sign. Once we figured that out and explained it to him, he sorted it out quickly.

Sign is good on sick/sore throat days, or when someone is sleeping. Even for talking across the gym or playground. It's sweet to have a pre-teen "flash" shorthand for "I love you" from a busy hallway.

As for books, we've had three that I know of. I found them in the school book flyers (such as Scholastic) at the grade school. One was the size of a keychain with the little ball chain included. I'll bet you could find them or something similar at Walden Books or some place like that.

I only have one handy right now:
You Can Learn Sigh Language! by Jackie Kramer and Tali Ovadia (Troll, ISBN # 0-8167-6336-4) It's a paperback intro to American Sign Language with 300+ words.

I actually teach Baby Signs classes in the Toledo area. I use the Baby Signs program because they are the original program that adapted ASL into Baby Signs. Check out their website for more info... www.BabySigns.com
Unless you have someone in the family who uses ASL I would not recommend trying to teach a baby ASL. It is way to complicated and would take longer for the baby to learn. The Baby Signs program incorporates the easier ASL signs and takes the rest and slightly modifies them. It actuall would be quite easy to switch to ASL down the road if you chose.
By the way I started with my daughter at 4 months old so it is possible to start young!
Good luck and happy signing!!!

We started teaching our daughter sign language at 9 months. We used the Baby Einstein My First Signs video. It was wonderful. We would watch it together and do the signs together. Our daughter picked up on everything really quickly. She is 2 1/2 and still uses some. Good luck, you will be able to communicate with your daughter much earlier with this awesome tool!