Baby sign language & day care

[lliang_chi]

I want to start doing baby sign language with my 4 month old son. Just stuff for essentials like "milk", "diaper", "mommy", "daddy", "sleepy" etc. I realize 4 months is REALLY young, but I want to get it in a habit, so by 7-8 months when he can sign back it's already familar.

But the thing is, he goes to day care 5 days a week for 10+ hrs. Has anyone had any experience with getting day care to help with the baby sign language repetition?

Thanks,
LC

 

[Loves Vintage]

My daycare does it as part of their regular program. They would focus on one sign a week in the infant room as part of their weekly lesson plan, but they would reinforce the same signs over and over. I'd ask if you're sure they don't do it already, but it sounds like you already checked?

If they don't, maybe you can get them a baby sign book? There are SO many of them!! Or, if you have one, just photocopy a few pages of the signs you want them to focus on. My DC is really receptive to whatever the parent wants, so hopefully this is an easy sell for you. It should be!

 

[amc80]

I don't know if it's standard everywhere, but it's worth asking. A friend's daughter learned it at daycare.

 

[vintagelover229]

I have friends that started right away and they have kids signing to go to the bathroom or to nurse (milk) (many of them do elimination communication) even when they are in the store at 6 months of age or less. I really want to get a book on it so I can learn the basic signs (I know the alphabet and a few other basic ones from teaching myself as a teenager). But I really think it's a great thing to do-even if you don't get the daycare on board (which they very well may be on board) doing it at home and showing the primary care taker at the day care the simple signs that your child might do so they know what they mean might spark a trend and start something there

 

[Haven]

I just wanted to pop in and say that I think baby sign language is amazing, and I wish everyone did it.

I work with struggling readers, and one of the first steps to learning to read is to understand that symbols have meaning (and represent sounds/things,etc.). I love that sign language is like a pre-primer to teaching babies this very thing. So awesome.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I think you'd be surprised at how many daycares will work with you on the sign language. We also started signing, just the basic things like you mentioned: eat, mommy, daddy, dog, more, happy, sleepy, bath, massage, want, etc. The signs are super easy, so it only takes a few minutes to learn them. Even all of our songs in our mommy/baby class are signed. The instructor said that even if you only use the signs at home, the babies catch on.

 

[lliang_chi]

Hooray, OK you ladies have inspired me to carry this torch to my day care. A few day cares I toured said they do this, but TBH I didn't write down who does what so I've forgotten by now.

 

[JulieA]

Anyone recommend a good book that shows the baby signs?

 

[orbaya]

I highly recommend "Signing Time." We started with "Baby Signing Time" series when DS was 8 months old. It wasn't long before he recognized signs but wasn't able to do signs himself until 11 months old. DS is not quite 2.5 and he now knows several hundred signs. He and I do a lot of signing back and forth. We still watch the videos and have been into the more advanced videos for a while now. The other great thing about it is that it teaches American Sign Language, where some other things make up some of their own signs. They also have books, which are great.

http://www.signingtime.com/

 

[NewEnglandLady]

We have the book "Baby Signs", however our mom group instructor recommended that you get a DVD when learning the signs since it's hard to capture the movement from a book. I have to agree because once I started learning the signs in class, I realized I'd been signing "all done" incorrectly.

Also, I think different books can use different signs that are all approved by the ASL. Our book illustrated that the sign for dog was to snap. But the baby-friendly version was to pant. I didn't like either of those signs, so our instructor said the sign for dog was to pat your leg. I looked it up on ASL and it seems that patting your leg, snapping OR spelling "D-O-G" are all fine. So now we just use the leg pat for dog. I'm only mentioning this because I didn't realize there could be multiple signs for one word.

 

[lliang_chi]

I've been going online to check out some signs.

Oh and I spoke to my day care and they said they definitely do baby sign language. They typically do it in the toddler group, but the teaacher said they can work with us for Ethan. He's still *really* young now (4 months yesteday) so it's not like he's able to do much. So I think we'll just do the signing at home, and then when he cracks about 7-8 months, we'll ask the teachers to reinforce @ day care.

 

[Haven]

We have the book "Baby Signs", however our mom group instructor recommended that you get a DVD when learning the signs since it's hard to capture the movement from a book. I have to agree because once I started learning the signs in class, I realized I'd been signing "all done" incorrectly.

Also, I think different books can use different signs that are all approved by the ASL. Our book illustrated that the sign for dog was to snap. But the baby-friendly version was to pant. I didn't like either of those signs, so our instructor said the sign for dog was to pat your leg. I looked it up on ASL and it seems that patting your leg, snapping OR spelling "D-O-G" are all fine. So now we just use the leg pat for dog. I'm only mentioning this because I didn't realize there could be multiple signs for one word.

This is great advice. I learned ASL as a child when I became friends with a girl who is deaf. She gave me a bunch of tapes with this couple wearing nerdy sweaters who sang and signed the song lyrics. I'm definitely not fluent, but it was so much easier to learn from the tapes than from books.

This thread is making me so excited to teach our baby sign language! (I have six months to get DH on board.)

 

[orbaya]

We have the book "Baby Signs", however our mom group instructor recommended that you get a DVD when learning the signs since it's hard to capture the movement from a book. I have to agree because once I started learning the signs in class, I realized I'd been signing "all done" incorrectly.

Also, I think different books can use different signs that are all approved by the ASL. Our book illustrated that the sign for dog was to snap. But the baby-friendly version was to pant. I didn't like either of those signs, so our instructor said the sign for dog was to pat your leg. I looked it up on ASL and it seems that patting your leg, snapping OR spelling "D-O-G" are all fine. So now we just use the leg pat for dog. I'm only mentioning this because I didn't realize there could be multiple signs for one word.

This is great advice. I learned ASL as a child when I became friends with a girl who is deaf. She gave me a bunch of tapes with this couple wearing nerdy sweaters who sang and signed the song lyrics. I'm definitely not fluent, but it was so much easier to learn from the tapes than from books.

This thread is making me so excited to teach our baby sign language! (I have six months to get DH on board.)

Haven - sign language for babies and children is AMAZING! DS and I were able to communicate earlier than many of my friends and their kids (who did not do ASL). He has always been advanced with speech, and we (as well as our pediatrician) believe sign language has been key in that respect.

I love the fact that we can go outside, to the zoo, to the park, etc and DS and I can sign our surroundings to each other! He will verbalize the animal, grass, sky, tree, birds, bug, etc that we see, as well as sign them. Sign language has been a wonderful part of our family!

 

[vintagelover229]

If anyone is interested there is the baby signing time on one of the baby deal sites I'm on for half off. The first complete season for 80.00 is going on right now (usually 179.00 or so)

http://babyhalfoff.com/

I've bought tons of deals from them before (diaper bag/teething necklace/hair brush/etc) and they have come just fine

I'd buy it myself but we leave for our HM soon and now is not the best time to be spending the $-no matter what the savings amount is

 

[Haven]

Orbaya--That is awesome. Okay, I'm sold!

VintageLover--Thanks for the great deal link!

 

[Skippy123]

I highly recommend "Signing Time." We started with "Baby Signing Time" series when DS was 8 months old. It wasn't long before he recognized signs but wasn't able to do signs himself until 11 months old. DS is not quite 2.5 and he now knows several hundred signs. He and I do a lot of signing back and forth. We still watch the videos and have been into the more advanced videos for a while now. The other great thing about it is that it teaches American Sign Language, where some other things make up some of their own signs. They also have books, which are great.

http://www.signingtime.com/

which do you recommend buying? there are so many choices. thanks!

 

[orbaya]

I highly recommend "Signing Time." We started with "Baby Signing Time" series when DS was 8 months old. It wasn't long before he recognized signs but wasn't able to do signs himself until 11 months old. DS is not quite 2.5 and he now knows several hundred signs. He and I do a lot of signing back and forth. We still watch the videos and have been into the more advanced videos for a while now. The other great thing about it is that it teaches American Sign Language, where some other things make up some of their own signs. They also have books, which are great.

http://www.signingtime.com/

which do you recommend buying? there are so many choices. thanks!

I would start with Baby Signing Time series, which is 4 DVDs. http://www.signingtime.com/baby-signing-time-dvd-collection You can buy them as a bundle or each one separately.

Here's the Baby Signing Time page: http://www.signingtime.com/shop/baby-signing-time

You can also buy books, flashcards, etc but I never felt the need for that stuff. Many people don't realize that there is BABY Signing Time and then regular Signing Time. At this point, make sure whatever you purchase is the Baby series.

I hope this helps!

 

[Skippy123]

I highly recommend "Signing Time." We started with "Baby Signing Time" series when DS was 8 months old. It wasn't long before he recognized signs but wasn't able to do signs himself until 11 months old. DS is not quite 2.5 and he now knows several hundred signs. He and I do a lot of signing back and forth. We still watch the videos and have been into the more advanced videos for a while now. The other great thing about it is that it teaches American Sign Language, where some other things make up some of their own signs. They also have books, which are great.

http://www.signingtime.com/

which do you recommend buying? there are so many choices. thanks!

I would start with Baby Signing Time series, which is 4 DVDs. http://www.signingtime.com/baby-signing-time-dvd-collection You can buy them as a bundle or each one separately.

Here's the Baby Signing Time page: http://www.signingtime.com/shop/baby-signing-time

You can also buy books, flashcards, etc but I never felt the need for that stuff. Many people don't realize that there is BABY Signing Time and then regular Signing Time. At this point, make sure whatever you purchase is the Baby series.

I hope this helps!

thank you! I was looking at amazon too and I noticed that there were different ones by this particular company so I wanted to make sure to order the right one. I have Baby Sign Language for dummy's and felt I didn't need more paper materials so I appreciate your input. I just was the preview and those little kids doing are the signing are soooooo cute!!! eta: I noticed the series is cheaper through amazon?

 

[orbaya]

Yeah, I did buy some of my DVDs through Amazon because it is generally cheaper there. Once in a while there will be deals on Baby Steals, Zulily, etc. I've lost track now, but we have at least 20 Signing Time DVDs!

You guys will love signing!

 

[Skippy123]

Yeah, I did buy some of my DVDs through Amazon because it is generally cheaper there. Once in a while there will be deals on Baby Steals, Zulily, etc. I've lost track now, but we have at least 20 Signing Time DVDs!

You guys will love signing!

thanks! I just ordered 2 of them to see how it goes with my twins. right now they are copying me so much in waving, clapping, blowing kisses so I thought this would be good for them to help them express themselves

 

[orbaya]

Yeah, I did buy some of my DVDs through Amazon because it is generally cheaper there. Once in a while there will be deals on Baby Steals, Zulily, etc. I've lost track now, but we have at least 20 Signing Time DVDs!

You guys will love signing!

thanks! I just ordered 2 of them to see how it goes with my twins. right now they are copying me so much in waving, clapping, blowing kisses so I thought this would be good for them to help them express themselves

Awesome!!

 

[Skippy123]

Yeah, I did buy some of my DVDs through Amazon because it is generally cheaper there. Once in a while there will be deals on Baby Steals, Zulily, etc. I've lost track now, but we have at least 20 Signing Time DVDs!

You guys will love signing!

thanks! I just ordered 2 of them to see how it goes with my twins. right now they are copying me so much in waving, clapping, blowing kisses so I thought this would be good for them to help them express themselves

Awesome!!

it came in and their little hands are to the point they can point with all their fingers (like for the plane) but I thought I would try a few signs a day. the first dvd was out of stock. What is on the first one? We have the 2nd one, with please, thank you, shoes, socks; that was as far as we got because they don't ever watch tv so this is pretty new to them.

 

[lliang_chi]

Hooray, that's awesome Skippy!!! I ordered Baby Signing Time, but haven't cracked it open yet. I think the first DVD might be stuff like "milk", "diaper", "mommy", "daddy", etc. How are M&E liking it?

 

[orbaya]

Yeah, I did buy some of my DVDs through Amazon because it is generally cheaper there. Once in a while there will be deals on Baby Steals, Zulily, etc. I've lost track now, but we have at least 20 Signing Time DVDs!

You guys will love signing!

thanks! I just ordered 2 of them to see how it goes with my twins. right now they are copying me so much in waving, clapping, blowing kisses so I thought this would be good for them to help them express themselves

Awesome!!

it came in and their little hands are to the point they can point with all their fingers (like for the plane) but I thought I would try a few signs a day. the first dvd was out of stock. What is on the first one? We have the 2nd one, with please, thank you, shoes, socks; that was as far as we got because they don't ever watch tv so this is pretty new to them.

I would definitely recommend Volume 1. It teaches: Eat, drink cracker,water, cereal, milk, mom, dad, grandma,grandpa, more, diaper, and other things.

I am such a supporter of baby sign language that I am considering becoming a local Signing Time instructor. One of my friends was an instructor for a few years so I didn't want to compete with her. Now that she is done with that, I am thinking about it.

 

[Skippy123]

Hooray, that's awesome Skippy!!! I ordered Baby Signing Time, but haven't cracked it open yet. I think the first DVD might be stuff like "milk", "diaper", "mommy", "daddy", etc. How are M&E liking it?

I just ordered dvd 1! It should arrive on Thurs. thanks, open yours! hehe

Orb, you should teach baby signing!!!!

 

[orbaya]

Also, we were not big TV watchers at all so when I started using Baby Signing Time, we had to break it into sections because Evan would not sit still for a whole video. Definitely get your hands on that Volume 1.

 

[Skippy123]

Also, we were not big TV watchers at all so when I started using Baby Signing Time, we had to break it into sections because Evan would not sit still for a whole video. Definitely get your hands on that Volume 1.

I have an Evan too! How old are your kids?

 

[orbaya]

Hooray, that's awesome Skippy!!! I ordered Baby Signing Time, but haven't cracked it open yet. I think the first DVD might be stuff like "milk", "diaper", "mommy", "daddy", etc. How are M&E liking it?

I just ordered dvd 1! It should arrive on Thurs. thanks, open yours! hehe

Orb, you should teach baby signing!!!!

I'm seriously thinking about it!! We will be going to our second Signing Time show next month! Evan is going to be so excited to meet the host, Rachel again!! (We met her and Hopkins last summer here in Maine). It's played such a huge part in our family! I have some friends who have some of the DVDs that they watch occasionally, and don't understand why their child is not signing like Evan. You need to make the DVDs (however long the attention span is of the child) a daily part of your routine. I'm not saying put the child in front of the DVD all day, every day, but just one DVD a day works! Be consistent and you will eventually be thrilled at the results!

 

[orbaya]

Also, we were not big TV watchers at all so when I started using Baby Signing Time, we had to break it into sections because Evan would not sit still for a whole video. Definitely get your hands on that Volume 1.

I have an Evan too! How old are your kids?

Isn't Evan an awesome name?? He will officially be 2.5 next month!! How old are yours?

I have known since I was young that if I had a son his name would be Evan. Thankfully DH liked it too!

 

[Skippy123]

Also, we were not big TV watchers at all so when I started using Baby Signing Time, we had to break it into sections because Evan would not sit still for a whole video. Definitely get your hands on that Volume 1.

I have an Evan too! How old are your kids?

Isn't Evan an awesome name?? He will officially be 2.5 next month!! How old are yours?

I have known since I was young that if I had a son his name would be Evan. Thankfully DH liked it too!

yes! Evan and Miles are 14 months. Orbaya, if you get a chance I would love to see a picture of your Evan in the 12-36 month old thread!!!