Sign Language for Babies

there is a great series of flashcards called Sign2Me. we started using them with my autitic grandson. I think my daughter got them at borders

I love the Baby Signing Time and Signing Time series. My son
has been watching them since he was six months (he's 18 months now). He is starting to talk now, but he still uses his signs!

http://www.signingtime.com/

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

I had a lot of luck with this website. I hope you do, too!
Enjoy!
J.

I also agree with the Signing Time series. I used it when my son was little. It helped tremendously when I couldn't understand the things he was saying. My son to this day still uses the sign for sorry while saying sorry. I think that signing can be a valuable way of communicating for young children.

As far as the person commenting on it delaying speech, that is wrong information. Here's a little information about an actual study done on this where they actually found quite the opposite to be true:

Dr. Linda Acredolo and Dr. Susan Goodwyn are the authors of the book Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk. Acredolo, Goodwyn, and Catherine Brown teamed up on a research paper, "Impact of symbolic gesturing on early language development," that was published in 2000 in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior.

Summary

The study involved 103 11-month-old hearing babies. The babies were divided between a group learning sign language, and a group that did not learn sign language. By the time the signing babies were two years old, they were talking more than the average two year old. At three years old, the signing babies were talking more than the average three year old. By age eight, the signing babies scored higher on IQ tests than the non signing babies.

A.,

Anytime someone mentions signing with a baby I need to mention something that I was told by my son's day care teachers. In working with kids day in and day out, they have found that as a general rule, babies who are taught to sign to request the things they want, start talking at a later age than babies who aren't. Obviously, this is not a scientific finding, but seeing how many kids they've seen come and go, I trust their observations. So if you're going to teach your child to sign, I'd suggest only teaching a few signs for the basic necessities (eat, drink, more, all done, diaper) and make sure you also SAY the words as you're singing them...don't just rely on the signs to communicate with her.

Just my two-cents...
Good luck!

~P.

My Baby Can Talk is an excellent DVD sign program. My daughter is 14 months and loves to sign. She has been signing since 9 months. It has been good for brain stimulation. I have ordered hers from Amazon.com. The company has there own website. She loves to watch the DVD's. There is a tutorial section for parents. I highly recommend them:)

Signing is great. It pulls out the important words and can help them speack faster. My favorite easy start video is "Treasure Chest". Even your 3 year old would like it. It is so cute. "Baby signs" is good for vocabulary, but mot as cute and engaging as treasure chest.

You've gotten plenty of replies - but here's mine:
We started with my son when he was 4 months with "Baby Signing Basics" by Monta Briant (i think) - they just published a new edition - but my older one was small enough to fit in my diaper bag and I brought it with us on our first airplane ride - My husband and I read it together and learned all the signs on that trip. Later, a friend gave us the little board books by Linda Acredolo - "Baby Signs for Bedtime" "Baby Signs for Mealtime" "Baby Signs for Animals" "My First Baby Signs" - these were really fun for my son. By 11 months, he would sit on the floor and flip through the books, doing the signs - I was amazed b/c it was like he was reading!!! (The only thing about these books is that they are not ASL signs - which shouldn't matter unless you want your child to communicate with a deaf friend/relative)
Finally, I found "Baby Signing 1-2-3" by Nancy Cadjan - and I wish I had this at the beginning. It's a cool book b/c it talks about starting signing at different ages - it explains a lot and has a ton of signs.

Also - sorry to be long - but I did want to mention that I caught a lot of flack from my older female relatives (cousins, aunts, mom) for doing signs. They said it would delay his speech - he'd have no motivation. Well, guess what? My son has an expressive language delay - he is almost 2 and not talking much - HOWEVER, I know that teaching him signs is helping him through this - I think he would have had the delay anyway - and now he is able to "speak" in sentences with signs. I think it cuts down on any frustration he would have had. (We ALWAYS speak the word when we sign with him and we ALWAYS make him try to say words rather than just sign...) Also - I have a friend that taught her daughter signs - and this child was speaking in sentences at 15 months! Bottom line - kids are different - but I am SO certain signing can only help children - besides, it is so much fun and pretty amazing! Good luck

Hi A.! We are using Baby Signing Time with our little girl. She's 11 months and I think she is starting to sign "eat"!!! She loves watching the children on the DVD and when I sing along and sign she gets the biggest grin! Here is a link to BabyCenter Store which has free shipping - we went ahead and got Volume 1 and 2 but haven't watched vol.2 yet. Volume 1 covers: eat, drink, juice, milk, banana, cracker, cereal, all done/finished, dog, cat, horse, frog, fish, bird, mom, dad, grandmom, granddad, hurt/pain. I can't remember anymore LOL! I'm sure I forgot some. They also have a website with other helpful information on it. These DVDs came HIGHLY recommended by other mommies on my BabyCenter Birth Board and I can see why!
I hope that helps a little!
M. b

We too have enjoyed using sign language with our now 3.5 year old twins. Signing Time is a wonderful tool for this. http://www.signingtime.com The first 3 volumes of the program introduce many signs that will help you communicate with your baby. There are about 12 volumes in the first series, but you can buy the dvds individually (or check out your library's video section). Plus, they offer board books with easy to follow pictures and explanations. I have a feeling your 3.5 year old would also love them. The songs and signs are fun and easy to follow. Good luck and enjoy!

I'm a pediatric SLP and I recommend the book, Baby Sign Language: Find out what's on your babies mind by Karine Shemel Rosenberg. ( http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Baby-Sign-Language/Karin... ) It comes with a short book with a great index of functional signs for little ones as well as colorful flashcards with really cute (easy to interpret :) drawings! In the booklet, it also gives signs for a couple early children's songs. I found this book really helpful and I recommend it to parents a lot. Hope this helps!!

Helpful & free!
http://www.babies-and-sign-language.com/

I highly recommend Signing Time DVD series. You can purchase them on amazon.com for slightly cheaper than on their website. We used signing with our daughter, started at 6 months. We signed, used spoken language and showed her examples and she had a 100 word vocabulary at 14 months! I highly recommend signing - not only does it teach a second language that is useful, it increases language skills (as long as you dont sign in place of the spoken word), cognitive recognition, and improves fine motor skills. I also use sign language as part of the curriculum in my family daycare. Signing Time is one of the childrens favorite time of day and they gt lots of pleasure when they remember a sign throughout the day and use it!

If u want to take your baby to a class, Gymboree has sign language classes for babies and they give u handouts as well.

When I taught my daughter i went online and there were many sites that showed basic signs to teach. I just printed them out and used them.

For DVD's, baby Einstein has several dvd's that incorporate sign language. Good luck!

Hi A.,
I am a mom of 4 and decided to teach my last child sign language. We attended Baby Sign Language classes at Edward Hospital in Naperville that were fun. I also agree with all the other mommas who suggested Signing Time. Our instructor used this series and Santa brought them for Christmas and we requested them as gifts at birthday instead of toys. Not only does my son love it, his 3 older sisters love it too and our whole family has learned it to some degree. My oldest daughter actually found a deaf girl at school that she was able to communicate with to some degree and the girl was delighted! All children are fascinated by this "language." My son learned to sign at 9 months and still uses sign at almost 3. There was no delay in his speech or any other part of his development. It's like teaching 2 languages at once because you speak the word while signing it. It takes patience and commitment just like anything else but we've found it very rewarding. It is amazing to watch a baby tell you that they want milk or they are tired before they can use the spoken word. Good luck!

There are sign language flash cards. I bought my son a set. There are classes given for sign language. A DVD would be to hard. Find someone who speaks it. I learned it because my mother taught special needs children. The words are easy for most food products. I taught me son so he would have more than one way to talk. His first grade teacher told him he could not use hand waving in her class. Prejudice and ingorance are wonderful things. I think it is wonderful that you want to learn. The school district may know a teacher who can help you.

Hi A.,

I don't recall the books I used, however, I used sign language with my daughter beginning at age 6 months. It was wonderful! She picked up signs very quickly. Focusing on the important ones such as milk, more, book, eat, etc. were a great start. I remember one night when she was about 15 months old, I woke up and she was standing in her crib, silent as a lamb, and frantically signing milk in the moonlight! I believe it helps with the baby's stress level. It gives them the power to communicate before they can speak. I would do it all over again!

Baby Einstein has DVD's that are geared for learning and signing with your baby. I have them and they're very useful.

Isn't it better to teach them to speak first? Signing can be learned by a child that understands "words".

Baby Enstein "My First Signs" DVD is very practical. Good luck!

The best (in my opinion) is the Signing Time DVDs. There is quite a range of vocabulary, and it's American Sign Language. Baby sign language is helpful, but I figure if they're going to learn signs, it should be a real language they could use some day. Of course, that is coming from a person that is very active in the Deaf community.

Go to SigningTime.com, they have information on there as well about teaching babies sign. It's great!! :-)

Discovery toys has books and a dvd for baby sign language. I am teaching my 2.5 yr old daughter and she is catching on very quickly. It is really easy to remember. Good Luck.

Take a look at www.babysigns.com She has great information and also has baby signs classes.
N.-Nutrition Naturally
www.jp4ahealthieryou.com

We taught our daughter some sign language as an infant and it was a lifesaver! Not nearly as many tantrums as other children because she was able to communicate with us before she could talk. We have 2 sign language DVDs: Baby Wordsworth by Baby Einstein and Talking Hands (we lost the cover to the DVD so we son't know who makes it). They were both good - the Talking Hands was something that didn't hold our daughter's attention, but I watched it, l;earned the signs and taught her. The Baby Einstein kept her attention more, but had less words to learn. Both were very good.

Good luck!

I actually didn't use any books or DVDs I just googled it and found the signs for the basic stuff (more, milk). After that I made them up. it really doesn't matter i they are correct, as long as you and your child kow what they mean. I agree with the person that say that this may dely speech a little, but went they do talk it will be much more complex.

Hi! I have taken a baby sign language class with both my children and then used two videos as reinforcements and extensions to their class learnings.

I enrolled my kids in the Baby Sign Language class offered through Gymboree Play when each was about 12 months old. It is an incredible class and is a wonderful way to spend 45 minutes with your child out of the house! It is quite pricey -- but was worth every penny for us. The class is divided into 6 weeks with about 5 or 6 signs per class (mealtime signs, bathtime signs, bedtime signs, play in the park signs, pet signs). Then after taking the class, my daughter began to learn directly from two Baby Einstein videos: Baby Einstein "My First Signs," and Baby Einstein "Baby Wordsworth -- First Words Around the House." However, I've heard wonderful things about all the other videos mentioned by the other Mamas.

Baby signing has been a rewarding experience for my family. Somehow, it helped to accelerate the child's key initial learning that every object has a corresponding word. They get more and more curious about learning words -- and that's what we all want: children interested in learning! My daughter was the earliest talker within her group of friends (and is still the most advanced). Do not listen to the nay-sayers...trust the research: baby sign language advances language skills (and does not delay talking).

After reading some of your responses I just had to respond. I just wanted to say that I don't believe that teaching your baby some signs will delay her speech. I am fluent in sign language and taught my son signs to help him communicate his basic needs at an early age. I used spoke to him and signed the word at the same time. His speech was not delayed at all. I think that knowing signs cut down on his frustration because he was able to communicate with us. I also think that the signs made learning speech and language easier and he has benefited from it in many ways. His speech and vocabulary today are actually better than most kids his age.
I loved the Baby Einstein sign DVDs that the others recommended. Good luck and have fun!

I have heard that the little einstein signing dvd is really awesome. And the babies love to watch it!!! Good luck

Hi A.,
I went to my local library and took out a "baby signs" video, it was great and kept both of my kids interested. I would check the library before buying a dvd. I bought a dvd called Smart Bee and I couldn't get my kids to watch even 1 minute of it. Good luck!

Babywise II the book, and SIGNING TIME dvds

A.- I have used the "My Baby Can Talk" dvds and my daughter loves them. They show an adult using the sign, a child using it and many pictures/ videos of the object. They have different ones for different subjects- early signs (milk, more, etc.) and Exploring signs and Sharing signs. These are great videos and you can order them online. They also have a website with a library of signs. You can look up a sign for "snow" and they will show you how to do it. These are great tools to get your child interested in signing and are great to start out with a 9mo. old because they will really help with the language barrier. When my girl was little she could communicate through sign language before she could say the words. Now she is extremely talkative (27mo.) and doesn't really use signs anymore because she can say pretty much anything but she still remembers her signs. I applaud you for wanting to teach your child sign language!

There's a book and DVD by someone named Garcia that we borrowed from and it was very useful. I believe they used ASL.

I also wholeheartedly recommend SIGNING TIME the series, which they seem to have stopped broadcasting on PBS. My son picked up some signs just from watching it. He loved that show when he was younger (he's two now).

I didn't worry about delayed speech. My son was speech delayed (for factors other than signing) but he got by with pointing and his four or five signs. He was very good at non-verbal communication. And then, one day, he was talking up a storm. The kids all catch up. Signing, like speech, is simply another form of communication. To consider it a separate and lesser communication strategy is like saying deaf people can't learn to sign until they learn to read!!!

"Signing TIME" - what a great set for teaching kids. I attened NTID <National Tech Inst.for the Deaf> in Rochester, NY - and everything is really for 'older' kids - I taught my older kids sign, in a way of 'hen peck' - this "SIGNING TIME" progams <now on DVD'S> go in order - they are really easy for kids and adults too!!! <my husband LOVES the review> They are pricey - but we rent them from the local libraries at NO COST!!! One of our libraries didn't have them - but said that if people as for them they will start ordering them!!
Signing Time does have a website and they will send you a catalog....... GOOD LUCK!! and thanks!!! Helpful everyday to have more and more communicate with all of us!!!

We use the signing times dvd's. They are great. It is hard to keep my daughter's attention and they are not really t.v. watchers. But they will both sit through the session of signing times. They teach the sign and put the signs into songs to help kids remember. They also have other kids signing and describe it as they sign it. For example-milk. Like you are milking a cow.And they show you. Basically though it is both hands up like you are squeezing something. And the cool thing is I can listen and figure out what most of the signs are without having to watch it. I can still be cleaning up while they are watching it if I want. You can check out more at www.signingtime.com Good luck. And don't be discouraged if you don't think they are getting it right off. I was a bit worried at first but I'm quite sure my 3 year old could now lead her own class teaching sign to kids her age! Feel free to email me if you have anymore questions.

T.
www.JaslynParker.com

We loved signing in our house - you are at a perfect age to become familiar with the concept and start using signs. All I did was read the book: Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk, by Linda Acredolo, Susan Goodwyn, Douglas Abrams....its really quite simple and gives you many signs to try. Between about 1 year and 18 months (when my son's verbal language really took off) we focused on the following: milk, more, please, all done, eat, drink, thank you, help. You can't imagine how helpful it was!! We also did a few other "fun" ones like airplane, book, kitty...I did not find the need to use the DVD I received or take any classes. Seriously, the concept is so easy, just read up about it, start doing it, and be consistent. It may take a while for your baby to catch on, but stick with it.

I must say that even at age 3, if my son wants to be super-charming, he'll sign "please" while saying it...a sure-fire way to get me to give him what he's asking for!

Hi, A.! A great book we used is called "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Sign Language" and is by Diane Ryan. You can see it on the Barnes and Noble site:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?S...

It has pictures/diagrams, and GREAT instructions. It's a wonderful way to communicate with your baby. My son just turned 2, and still uses many of the signs, even though he is quite verbal.

Good luck!

N.

Hi A.

I didn't even really try to teach it to her. She just picked it up from watching Baby Einstein DVDs. "My first Signs" goes over basics like milk, more, please, Mommy, Daddy, eat, drink, baby, bath, sleep, etc. "Baby Wordsworth" goes over things around the house like computer, phone, couch, swing, etc. I love these videos and she learned to say them while learning the signs so I wouldn't worry about it messing with her speech. You can get really good deals if you buy them on Ebay. It's really fun to see her learn the signs.

C.

For just the key words, I'm using The Idiot's Guide to Baby Sign Language. My baby isn't going to be fluent. But will be able (I hope) to get her point across.

If you are in the city, Children's Memorial Hospital offers a baby sign class 1-2 times each year. My son and I took the class and really liked it. My son started at 9 months, but did not really start to communicate until he was closer to 12 months. That being said, the class was great because it showed me how to teach my son the signs. Even though I had read the baby sign book, I was still confused about the how. He consistently used very helpful signs (more, eat, drink, all done) until he started speaking. He will still use the signs if I do not immediately respond to his verbal requests.

Signing times is also occasionally on PBS early Sunday mornings. If you set your DVR to record this series, it will pick it up when they put it through again in the future. We got the baby signing time series from signing time, and then the regular signing time videos. For specific first words for little kids, I liked the baby signing time version better then the standard signing time videos, it has more songs which aides with learning the signs more. They also have the accompanying CDs so you can listen and practice in the car. My kids sign more words than I do as a result of these series. I also bought books, but found it much harder to interpret than watching on the DVD.

Wow, you've gotten a lot of suggestions, they all sound good. We bought the "My First Signs" board book since it was easy for us to follow and fun for the babies to look at, also they can chew on it as they love to do with every book.

http://www.amazon.com/My-First-Signs-Annie-Kubler/dp/1904...

I agree with the book when it states it is important to say the words when you sign, and to be consistent. I've been doing this with about 5 phrases since my twins were 6 months old, more so I would get used to it rather than them learning that early. Now at 9 months old my daughter is sporadically signing for milk (bottle) and my son really understands when I sign all done and sing-song it at the same time.

Everyone feels differently about most baby topics, but I'm trying to teach signs so they can communicate their wants and needs if they can't verbalize them yet, especially the basics which I hope will cut down on frustrated crying when the request is so simple. I think your daughter will probably pick and choose what she signs and what she speaks (my son says bababababa while my daughter is starting to sign for bottle) and I certainly don't think it can hurt. Plus it's fun for the parents to learn a new skill too!

Best wishes!

I love Baby Einstein's dvd. They have My First Signs and they also have one that is like around the house that has signs on it as well. Another good to is www.aslpro.com because they have a children's section and there is a video of someone doing the sign. This is much much easier than trying to learn from a book.

My son has down syndrome so we were forced to learn sign very fast. The signing times dvds are the very best! Very easy to learn & they keep the kids attention.