BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

And when did the baby sign back?

I'm thinking of teaching at 6 months, hope it's not too late!

Re: BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

We've been signing w/ DD since she was 4 months. She started signing back around 9 months - but only one sign. Now at 15 months she will imitate any sign we show her, but only uses one to communicate (the first one she used at 9 months).

Re: BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

I started around 4 months with DD...once I noticed she was paying attention to me and my gestures when I was talking. She started using her first sign, milk, at 6 months. She picked up a few more after that and now at 11 months she's really taking off and picking up new signs very quickly. Right now she does:
milk
eat
sleep
cereal
more
bath
lights
fan
balloons
book
hat
ball

There may be a few others I'm forgetting. She's imitated some other signs, but hasn't really used them spontaneously on her own.

With my older DS I started probably even earlier. I think his first sign was around 9-10 months...lights. He had about 50 signs that he used consistently before he dropped them in favor of speech. It's funny because now he sees us doing them again with DD and he's trying to sign again!

eta: 6 months is definitely not too late! I'd pick about 3 signs for things that DC really enjoys and use the sign whenever you say the word. Once they learn a new sign, add another one.

Message edited 3/20/2009 7:49:55 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

Re: BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

where did you go for the classes?

Re: BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

I started signing with my DD when she was 5 months old. I did it for months and she would watch but not sign back. Around 7 months old, after I had cut down on trying to get her sign, she was sitting in her high chair eating and finished her food and signed "more" to me. I couldnt believe it! I asked "do you want more?" and she nodded "yes". From that point on I was full force with signing. I have a video of her at 1 year old doing all of her signs. At the time she knew:
more
eat
juice
all done
hot
please
dirty
sick
sorry
A few others I think Im forgetting. Soon after that I taught her mommy, daddy, nana, papa and we still sign to this day - she will be 3 in April. We are learining the alphabet now too and DD is always asking me for "symbols" (she means signs) of different things.

I learned to sign when I was 7 yrs old and retained it. When DD was born I knew I would teach her to sign. I bought a book on how to teach your baby to sign and it gives great suggestions. For instance, dont stop just because they arent signing back, they WILL get it eventually - and also their signs may not be the exact sign - they may modify them a bit because they are ...well...babies!

I also bought DD 2 different sign language books that are pictures of babies/kids doing the signs - they are 2 of her favorite books. I have the Baby Einstein video that teaches signing too although she never really took to that.

She is learning new signs all the time and loves to sign the alphabet while we sing.

I HIGHLY recommend teaching your babies to sign. It cut down sooo much crying and frustration because even though she couldnt talk at the time, she was able to sign to me and tell me she was hungry, thirsty, etc.

I hope this helps :)

Message edited 3/21/2009 10:17:55 AM.

Re: BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

Also, this is a GREAT website - it shows you how to sign with a small video clip for many words.
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/Sites/aslweb/browser.htm

Re: BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

We had about 2 signs that we did with him from 9 months on. At 17 months we started a class. I know the alphabet from when I was a kid but I did not know a lot of words. We don't know if DS will take to it or if we will stick with it but we want to learn more about it. We use the video dictionary here: http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/aslpro/aslpro.cgi

Re: BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

My DS still signs more when he REALLY wants something.

He didn't start until 18 months (when he moved up classes at daycare) so it's definitely not too late for you!!

Re: BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

Re: BTDT Moms, When Did You Teach Baby Sign Language?

Around 4 months we started playing videos called "Baby Signing Time" when DS was in his exersaucer. He'd watch it once a day or every other day. They are awesome! Use cartoons and songs along with the woman to show the signs.

DS now knows milk, eat, more, please, thank you, hat. I am sure there are more, but I can't remember.

Anyway, I highly recommend the videos!