2006-08-31 08:42:54 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I started as soon as my son was able to sit up and use his hands a little which was about 4-5 months. But I am sure you can start as soon as your baby starts to stay awake for longer periods of time. My son is 17 months now and he can sign several words. He knows stop and no very well...LOL...I would suggest you should show the baby what you are signing. For example if you sign milk show him/her the milk and say the word milk.
2006-08-31 08:50:20 · answer #1 · answered by Jade 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
any time you do specific things, or a certain action, get in the habit of using the sign. it has to be repetetive and dont use so many to start out or they will get confused.
i would say to start from the beginning. When they start becoming aware of their surroundings, start. I would say 6 months maybe? maybe sooner.
The sooner the better though, even if you feel sooner. It will get you guys both in the habit.
"Babies in deaf families, immersed in a signing environment, use simple signs from as early as 6 weeks. Some parents feel that they don't have enough time to teach their baby sign language, but by using sign with each other in front of the baby, they will need to spend little time in actual instruction."
Also you will really like this. It gives a lot of tips to help you teach your baby. its organized into categories and it sounds really exciting. Go check it out!
http://www.youareborn.com/signs1.html
2006-08-31 08:54:29 · answer #2 · answered by Eternal Sunshine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not an expert, but I would say it's never too early to start using it around the baby, but I know this little boy who some words he will not say, he only signs, which he has no problem talking, and I find it kind of annoying. My friend has a hearing problem and just found out her little guy got it too.. she has been signing to him since the day he was born, he is now 5 months and can actually understand. She used sign language and spoke to him at the same time.
2006-08-31 08:46:29 · answer #3 · answered by Minn_Girl_16 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Although it surprised the heck out of me, I had a friend who was hearing impaired, and her two-year-old son was quite proficient in sign language. It was amazing, because most two-year-olds do not begin to speak that early. But here was this little toddler who could sign like an expert. I was struggling with it myself, and finally gave up because sign language can be so easily misinterpreted if you accidentally give the wrong sign. If you are a signer, you know what I mean.
That reminds me of a very funny story. Another friend of mine whose son was engaged to a deaf girl, was eager to make an impression on her family. So she encouraged her son to teach her a few simple sentences. After she had mastered those, she invited the girl's parents to dinner. As they were all seated around the table, my friend signed what she thought was, "I'm hungry, aren't you?" The looks she got must have been priceless. Later, her son told her she signed, "I'm horny, aren't you?" So you see, that's why I gave up sign language as a lost cause.......But getting back to your baby -- you might start him or her at age two or three...Just be sure your child signs the difference between hungry and horny....LOL!
2006-08-31 08:56:17 · answer #4 · answered by gldjns 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can start about 6 months. Always say the word with the sign.
2006-08-31 08:46:10 · answer #5 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You would be admazed with the power of a baby, They can start mocking your facal movement by 6 weeks! With sigh I say about 4 to 5 months old .He will learn by watching you do the sighs over and over again.
2006-08-31 08:50:41 · answer #6 · answered by charmagnemcknight2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About 4 or 5 months is a good point to start.
2006-08-31 08:45:52 · answer #7 · answered by Naomi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would start as soon as the baby is born, you can do little things like please and yes and no, these sign languages are easy and there things a baby needs to know first. you could take your childs hand and sign "please" then say please do this couple times a day make sure you also sign to your child and tell him or her what it is, so when your child gets 6months he will sign please to you or other sign langauges.
2006-08-31 09:32:03 · answer #8 · answered by Lori T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know a gal who started teaching her boys to sign basically from birth. When she gave them a bottle, for example, she'd say "bottle" and she'd sign it, too. Both of them could sign a few things like "bottle" and "blanket" before they could ask for them verbally. I've heard it actually helps children become verbal sooner because they get the concept of things having a name sooner.
2006-08-31 08:47:11 · answer #9 · answered by mockingbird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can start as early as you choose, although babies don't usually start making the signs until they are at least 6 months. This site has lots of info about signing with your baby - http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/baby-sign-language.html
2006-08-31 09:59:34 · answer #10 · answered by alburychristine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋