Teaching babies sign language?

Question

I was wondering whats everyones opinions on teaching babies sign language, I don't have children yet but I 'speak' sign language fluently and plan on teaching my kids as well, so whats your say on it? good? bad? neither? too lazy? lol

Answer 1

Well, it is completely untrue that learning sign language will make them speak later. It actually makes them speak earlier.
It's like saying you shouldn't let a baby crawl, because then he'll walk later. Once they learn to speak the word, they will do so instead of using the sign.
I started teaching my son when he was an infant, and he started using signs at about 6 months old. Don't expect them to start signing out entire sentences; the whole point of baby signs is to give them a way to communicate their basic needs and single thoughts. For instance, my son had a sign for dog that he would use every time he saw a dog. However, he wouldn't sign out, "There's a brown dog outside by the tree." You can't expect that from a little one.
I really think it helps young children develop speech and language skills. My son could use countless signs and well over 20 spoken words before he turned a year old. I credit this, in part, to the fact that he learned sign language.
If you already know ASL, that will help a lot. Just remember that baby signs are different; they're much simpler. Skip the overpriced Mommy and Me baby signs classes, because they can't teach you anything that you can't learn yourself. All I needed was a book that my sister - in - law (who is also a speech therapist) gave me.

Answer 2

Baby sign language is a great thing! I am reading up on it because I plan on using it. Basically, it cuts back on the frustration of the baby because he/she can express feelings. The coordination skills for language take longer to develop ( 15-18 months) but babies as young as 7 months can use the sign language to express those feelings! IT's amazing! I have friends who used it and their babies have all been minimally fussy because they can tell you what they want instead of crying and waiting for you to figure it out!
Many parents are concerned that this will stunt baby's verbal skills when actually the opposite has found to be true. Babies who could use sign language, actually had a greater, more advanced language base by 18 months of age. Besides, as you are signing, you are, ideally, speaking the words as well. I have read you can start signing to them as early as you like but the earliest you'll see the signs will be 5-7 months.

Answer 3

It's great! Kids are language-learning machines, and they will not get "confused" or anything if you teach them more than one language at the same time. Knowing a little sign language might be very useful to them. Go for it!

Answer 4

I think it's great. My daughter knows probably about 25 signs and now she's also speaking over 20 words. It's really awesome to communicate with her more than if she didn't know sign language. It allows us to "see" what she knows. I love it and plan on teaching my next child as well.

Answer 5

Being multilingual (even ASL) is always a great thing! We've been trying to sign with my son for many months now (he still isn't talking at 26 mo) but he doesn't appear to be interested. He prefers to run to the fridge and tug on the door which he can't open to let us know he's thirsty, lol. Definitely a good idea and NOT lazy at all. You'll just have to be patient and consistent.

Answer 6

IF you SIGNED fluently you would say you SIGNED fluently rather than "Speak" sign language (I have a degree in American Sign Language and American Deaf Culture...they do not "speak" anything). My daughter was signing her name, yes, no, dog, cat, hurt, mother, father, hungry, tired all before she was a year old.

Answer 7

I'm in the process of trying to teach my six onth old some sign language, but we don't seem to be doing too well!

Answer 8

I actually say wait until they are a little older and can communicate with words already. I read an article that said that sign language in babies who would otherwise talk can diminish their language use. Like they will use it instead of talking. But I would definately start when they are a little older. It is a great skill to have. One that I learned when I was older and I use it often.

Answer 9

I think it's great. I bought a bunch of sign language books to use with my son, but honestly, I always forgot to do it. Since you are fluent it will probably come more naturally.

Answer 10

It never worked for our daughter. Well ... actually it did, but she would only learn things that were important to her, like milk. My aunt has a deaf brother, and she had trouble teaching her daughter too. I read all the books, but I still don't know what the trick to it is.