My son is 10 months and I am interested in enrolling in a sign language class... Has anyone found these classes to be helpful? fun? Where can we take a class? Appreciate any feedback!
Hi A.. My son is almost 2 and we started signing at 6 months and I can't tell you how grateful I am that we did!! We went to classes, www.babysignshine.com
with Etel in West L.A. She is fabulous and very knowledgeable, and I think this is exactly what you're looking for!
Best,
A.
congratulations on being a new(10 months) mommy. It's like nothing I could have imagined.
You started me thinking about sign language for babies. My kids are 8 and 12 years old now. I question if it diminishes the period of wonder that babies are in pre language. Once we label things something happens with our perception of it. In our immense desire as parents to communicate more accurately with our little beings are we taking away an experience that is important to the child?
just a thought.
Eckhart Tolle speaks more eloquently about this topic. In the second half of this interview they mention it.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=58344804495277322...
On the other hand - being and learning with your child is a wonderful gift for both of you.
best of luck to you! - C.
my son is a 12th grader in a college prep private school in santa monica and is in his third year of american sign language. he tutors in that area if you are interested. you may email me if you are interested ____@____.com
The South Bay Adult School in Manhattan Beach offers 2 American Sign Language classes for parents and their babies, ages 5-18 months old. They just started 2 weeks ago. It meets once a week for 2 hours (really 1 1/2 hrs of classroom time) and continues until June. The price is very nominal (actually the best deal in town)$179 for TEN MONTHS!!
The teacher is an interpreter, as well as a Parenting teaching for 18 years. Go to SoBayAdult.org under Parent education/Baby sign language. Hope to see you in class!
F.
I was originally hesitant to do sign with my daughter. I had read as many theories against it, saying it delays spoken language since it's easier, as I had for it. I decided to take the class for fun. We loved it and being able to sign lessened my daughter's frustration as she began to communicate. We barely touched the terrible twos and I attribute that to my daughter being able to make herself understood.
We took Baby Signs at Gymboree in the Westside Pavilion. I don't know if they still offer the class since they have had many staff changes since then, but it was a really fun class. You also got a baby signs video and a cheat sheet for the refrigerator. They only teach about 50 basic signs and some are adapted for children so if you really want ASL it wouldn't be the right choice. There's also a Gymboree in the Howard Hughes center. I wonder if they have the class.
Hi A.. I have 2 beautiful daughters, 3 yrs old and 1 1/2 years old, both are Signing Times babies. We have had them watch the Signing Time videos starting at 6 months old, and by the time they are 10 months, they can sign the basics (like milk, more, thank you, cold, baby, etc.). My older daughter can now sign more than the basics. They just both love it. We sign with them all the time. In fact, they still watch the videos and still love watching them. We also play the songs in the car as they are catchy. Check out signingtime.com.
Hi A.,
The Starting Block in El Segundo offers sign language classes. Call them at ###-###-####. I taught my daughter sign language, but never took a class.
Good luck
Sign Shine is the way to go. I have a 15month old and have been signing with him since he was born. He now knows about 30 signs and it saves both of us so much frustration. He can tell me what he needs (most of the time). Etel is very knowledgeable and a very good teacher. He also loves watching signing videos and signs along with them. Signing Time he really likes....thou The Baby Einstein "Baby Sign" video with Marly Matlin (sp) is his all time favorite.
Hi!
I have had wonderful success with signing with my son! He's been signing back to me starting at 8 months and now at not even 2 he is signing AND speaking sentences! He tells me his feelings, tells jokes, signs songs..its the most amazing thing!
I tried the baby signing classes but honestly found them a waste. I am now in my second semester of American Sign Language at Santa Monica college and I LOVE it! I learn a ton and am helping my son to learn a wonderful second language! If you are able to get away for a couple hours a week for class I would really recommend taking a real signing class!
Also, my son loves signing time! He learns a lot and loves to sing and sign the songs in the car with the CD. He watches very little tv but this is something we can really enjoy tog!
Let me know if I can help you with anything!
Rhiannon
Check with your local park and rec.
HI
My son is 1 1/2 and we watched signing times from 3 months on! He started signing at 7 months... just a few. But it has HELPED us so very much! We always watched together.And he loves Rachel the mom who started Signing Times. Her daughter was born deaf. It is AWESOME. Start with baby signing times VOL. 1! We love THEM!!!!
http://www.signingtime.com/?gclid=CO_qyc614JUCFQIyxwod-HG2IQ
Good luck!
Although you requested Culver City area, just in case you want some options, we've been taking our now 10 1/2 month old to Wondernation (www.wondernation.com/mb) in Manhattan Beach for many months now. They have classes called "Music & Sign" and our son seems to really love being there and learning the signs accompanied by music.
