BABY SIGN LANGUAGE

[Cathy_D]

Hi!  I'm new to the BW website, so please bear with me whilst I get the hang of how things work here ...

My DD is nearly 10 weeks old, so I know signing will be a long way off yet, but want to find out about it in time to start as soon as she is able to show some interest in it (I think, from what i've read, that's around 6 months .. is that right?)

I'm in the UK, so would like to use BSL rather than American Sign Language, but most of what I'm reading and hearing about baby signing is from people based in the USA. 

Is there anyone out there in the UK who is signing? If so, can you recommend books/websites that use BSL?
Is there much difference between the various sets of signs anyway?

Thanks
Cathy

[meltown]

This is a set ( book and dvd) in the states and in the UK it is called sign with your baby.   also their is a book that I am reading right now that is called Signing smart for babies and toddlers.  it has so much great info in it to make your signing the most effective.  you can start signing at any time but most babies cn't motor a sign themselves until 5-6 months so you just have to knwo that you have to be patient if you start early.  you may want to look up Ali B on here.  her son is deaf and she is in the UK and just recently started signing with her son too.  she may be able to give you some more suggestions.

[Sarahlolly]

I've started with Milk for the time being.  DD is only 4 months so I'm just starting with that for the next few months.

I borrowed a baby sign book from the library which was great.

At what age should she start to understand (if not repeat!)?

Sarah x

[meltown]

it is all individual.  there are signs that things of understanding.  things like if you sign milk to her and looks to the bottle or boob or if she opens her mouth to eat.  things like that are signs of understanding.  I would suggest using 6-12 starter signs.  half of them are things that you want her to learn ( eat, milk, diaper change...) and the other half thngs she is interested in (light, bear, blanket...)  that way she is encouraged to sign faster because she wants to talk about the things she is interested in. 

[Sarahlolly]

Just got a signing book from the library with songs in!

Can't wait to try it out!

Sarah x

[stheo]

I am new to this thread but want to start sign language with my 7 month LO.... What is the best way to go about teaching it, i saw a Baby Einstein DVD that teaches sign language but Ainslee is not that interested in any of her other BE dvds so i dont think that will work, is there a certain book,etc.. I am hoping that this will help her communicate her needs better and be less cranky when she is upset and I dont know what is wrong

[¤ Efka ¤]

Well in my best opinion best way  is to keep using it yourself, meaning you say all done and use sign do.

I am still much behind because I forgot

[Sarahlolly]

Hmm I dont know if this is a fluke but was signing milk to dd today and she looked at her bottle!  Will try again tomorrow!!!  but little YEY!!

[meltown]

that's great!  I think it could mean that she is starting to understand.  some Lo's pick it up really quick and start signing back within a month or so!

[x95stocchier]

Hi everyone!  I haven't been on here in forever, but thought I'd say hello and give and update.  I started signing with DS when he was 6 mo old, (milk, more, all done) and it took 7 months...until he was 13 months old to start signing back.  He went with 4 or 5 signs for a loooong time, and then he started picking them up quicker....added 1 or 2 every week...now, he'll add several a day.  He is at 80+ signs now at 17 mo old and we are loving it! He loves to learn new ones and is so proud when he does.  I've really had to look out for sign approximations though, because he only does about 5% of them correctly, but now I know what to look for we communicate well.  I started by just using the alspro dictionary link at the beginning of this thread, then I started buying a few of the signing time DVDs.  He LOVES those videos.  I have not been much into TV/video for one this young, but he's picked up the signs so easily from these shows.  I have to watch with him or he'll be signing and I won't know what he's signing lol!  I also found recently they have baby signing time videos on amazon.  These are even better because all the kids in the video are under 3 and they are more geared to the 36 mo and younger crowd.  he actually signs "baby signing please" when he wants to watch it.  How can I refuse ?   so those of you with los that don't mind showing a video, I highly recommend the baby signing time.

Also, I always say & sign together, and now he says "ba" when he signs banana and ball and bus, etc so it's great to know which "ba" he's talking about lol!

Anyone just starting, hang in there, it's sooo worth it, even if it seems to take forever.  So glad I didn't give up!

[riuliani]

My DS is 11 months.  We haven't been doing any sign language so far but it looks like he may be a late talker, so DH and I were thinking it might be a good idea to start.  Is it too late to start teaching signs?

[meltown]

It is never to late!  you can start at any time.  infact the older they are the sooner they should sign back.  you should just be as consistant you can with 6-12 signs and then once you see understanding you can sign as much as you want.  It is a wonderful thing for reading and future schooling too so you get double benefit from it.  if you want some suggections for books and sites let us know.  we have a wealth of info here. 

Sarah- great job on keeping at it.  it is good to hear of success as I am begining to wonder how long with will take some days! 

[meltown]

I just wanted to tell all you fellow signers that I am officially CERTIFIED!!!  I took the test and passed it the first try.  I will be getting classes going in the next couple weeks ehre and I am so excited!  you guys can all see my info and such here!

http://www.northlightcommunications.com/profile.php?ID=2773

[binxyboo]

That's very exciting to see it all in print!

[OnyxRayne]

I have a great uncle whose deaf, so learning these sign would be helpful for everyone in my family!