Baby Sign Language

Hi L.,

We are new to Arlington and have 4-yr-old triplets who have been signing since they were eight months. I started with a book I stumbled upon at Half-Price Books but would highly recommend the Singing Time video series. We have the first thirteen DVDs and absolutely love them. They now have a Baby Signing Time series and you can visit their web site at www.signingtime.com and click on the "shop" link. They have a lot of great products!

C.

When looking into this same thing a few months ago, I came across this site. I have started trying it with Elizabeth (also 9 months and a miracle!). She hasn't picked it up yet, but she does say 'Ba' when she wants a bottle and mouths eating when she is hungry. So when I talked to my cousin about signing, she told me that she probably won't use it with me first because she is already communicating with me. She will probably use it with my DH first since he doesn't understand her like I do being around her all day.

Anyway, check out this site:

http://www.signwithme.com/002_browse_signs.asp

GL!

So are you wanting the real ASL-based sign language or are you wanting the fake stuff? If you want the ASL, then I suggest to get an ASL dictionary at the bookstore or library. I'm a deaf ed teacher, & the stuff they put in those baby books is not true sign language.

Go to Meetup.com. There are group that meet up and share about baby sign language. I think they have some good resources you could use.

My daughter is almost one and we have also been doing sign language. We started with more, please and all done. She has all three down pretty good. When I was pregnant with my daughter I bought a book called Baby Signs, at Babies R Us. It's a board book, so that the she can look at it too. It only has about 50 signs in it, your very basic ones. I don't know if it's correct ASL, but I know what she means when she signs. Your child is going to learn whatever you teach them, and will probably make up her own signs as well. I wouldn't focus on doing the ASL correct signs if you just want to be able communicate with her before she talks. Once she talks she will probably not use the signs anymore.