Are sign language classes for a hearing 9 month old a waste of money? Should I just get a book instead?

Answer 1

I believe the book is just fine. We only used signs up to the point where they could talk and then signing just kind of stopped.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

I taught my 1st daughter baby sign... and it was the BEST thing ever. She's now 19months and talking, but sometimes I still have a hard time understanding what she's asking for... so if end up saying pardon a few times she'll make the sign and I know what she's asking for. I started when she was 6 months... it's wonderful. It hasn't hindered her speach at all. My sisters little one is 10 months older than her and hardly speaks as well as my daughter. ( I know every child develops differently).. I'm just trying to let you know that baby sign will not stop your child from learning how to speak.
As for classes... I too didn't want to waste the money. So I had my husband find me some videos online to download. I'm sure you can find some free videos or even websites to help you learn some signs to start teaching your baby, or a book for that matter.
Good luck and I hope you you enjoy it as much as me and my family did. Saves lots of frustration when you know right away what you're child is asking for.. .like milk, or they've had enough to eat, or are hungry, etc.

Answer 3

Obviously you are interested in baby-signing which is such an awesome and successful way to communicate with babies who can't hear yet -- so your question isn't "Should I teach my baby to sign," which some people seem to think you are asking.

Congratulations on making the decision to involve your child in early communication! It is so rewarding and absolutely will not impair his/her ability to talk when the time is right.

In any case, as the baby-signing books will usually tell you, you have to use the signs *a lot* in order for the baby to catch on. 9 months is a little young to start, not too young but don't expect the baby to start doing them back quite yet. Anyway, the point is that you are going to be doing so much signing at home that the class does seem like kind of a waste. Since every single time you say "eat" or "apple" or "Daddy" you are going to do the sign .... what good is a one-hour class with a stranger every Thursday?

I would not bother with the class at all. Signing is natural for babies (hence every kid in the world can wave bye-bye), just like talking is natural for two or three-year-olds. And are you planning to put your child in talking classes? Of course not . So get involved, get your child-care provider involved, and sign as much as you can while you talk. You might feel silly at first, but you'll be thrilled when they respond.

And anyway .... babies learn way more from their parents and primary caregivers than they do from strangers ... especially strangers they only see once a week!

Good luck, and have fun!

*** EDIT to add: When you ask "Why learn to talk if their needs are all met by signing," you forget that, when children's vocal mechanisms are ready to begin speech, they will know hundreds and hundreds of words that they don't have signs for yet ..... you forget that every kid in the world learns to walk despite the fact that crawling gets them everythign they need ..... you forget, in fact, the basic human curiosity and energy that gives us the ability to continue to learn and grow up until the day we die.

Sheesh. How many six-year-olds do you know that can't still speak in full sentences? Just saying "juice" got them their juice ... but eventually they figure out how to say "Where is the juice?" and "Is that my juice" and "No, I want orange juice instead."

OK, end of rant.

******

Answer 4

I think the classes are a waste of money. I have added some links to sign language sites for you as well as a download of a booklet. Good luck!

http://asl.ms/

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/SITES/ASLWEB/browser.htm

http://www.mocobabies.com/

http://ca.share.geocities.com/__geri/BabySignsBooklet.pdf

Answer 5

have you tried looking on the internet i have found some a while ago on baby signing i think they are a waste of time i think it slows down the childs progress in speaking when they sign why learn to talk if you can already communicate

Answer 6

i don't see the need for special classes unless she or family members are hearing impaired, just get the book and practice it with her, just don't neglect her vocal skills in an effort to be cool and get the sign language down kwim?

Answer 7

why do it at all? unless you are trained in sign language, so not teach it to your child. have someone who knows what they are doing do it. i know that there are so many parents out there that wanted to be able to communicate with their child who cannot speak, but by doing so you are running the risk of them never learning to speak. why should they learn? everything they need the know how to sign for. it creates more problems than good.