signing with baby- questions-

[cilantromapuche]

I would like to sign with abraham but have a couple questions:

1. We don't have a TV for the videos. Can we still do it if we repeat a lot?
2. We could watch them at the IL's once every couple weeks. Would that make a difference?
3. The library has Garcia's "Signing with w/ your baby" book but not the other stuff. SHould I buy the package for the video? and then buy the signing time stuff?
4. Any tips? ABe is 6 months and I thought it would be a good time.
TIA,
CHris

[Karenn]

Here's my thoughts about a couple of your questions-

1. Totally! Most of my friends taught their babies to sign without any videos. Many of them still don't use videos. (Even though I rave to them about Signing time ;) )

2. I think your baby would still benefit from watching the videos every couple of weeks at your IL's- I was amazed at what Colin picked up after one or two viewings.

3. I'd say not to waste your money on the Garcia package. The book from the library should be all you need. I think the Signing Time videos are worth the money, but check your library for that too. A girlfriend of mine found Signing Time there.

4. Be patient. It took awhile for Colin to catch on in the beginning. I started at six months and Colin didn't start signing back until 11 mos. Another baby we know picked up the signs at 7 months. It's really worth the wait though! I'm still having so much fun with sign language!

Good luck!

[agomalley]

Hi,
My DS is 9 months old and I have been doing some babysigns with him since he was about 4 months old. He hasn't done any signing yet, but I'm hoping it kicks in soon. He doesn't even wave yet. Oh well. He's too busy crawling and cruising the furniture, I guess. ;)
Anyway, if you can get any book that shows the signs, I'd do that. We have the DVDs but haven't watched them alot (although they are WONDERFUL) because DS just isn't interested. If you learn some signs and start repeating them, I think it will help.
There is a babysigning board at ParentsPlace.com. You could probably get some good information from them, too.
Good Luck,
Anabelle

[cdlamis]

Hi Chris~
You will have a great time signing with Abe. Its amazing to see them communicating so early!

In my opinion, you will do fine without the videos. I love our Signing time videos and they are great to have but you can still do the same without them. We just bought the videos a few months ago and did fine without them. Julia learned signs quicker after getting the videos but it was because I was learning more and signing more to her. I think I learn better and faster with the videos just because I see the signs done in real life and they are presented in a catchy way. That said, you may want to buy (or check out from library) one video to watch at Grandmas just because they are fun to watch. I think babies/toddlers think its neat to watch someone else that speaks their language.

I bought the Garcia book and only read it once- it has been mentioned here that it may be better/cheaper to check it out from the library. The book gives the foundation to signing and how to's. IMO, it is the best signing book out there. You may want to purchase the reference chart by Garcia-
http://northlightcommunications.com/store/
**look half way down the page

I hung it up on my bathroom mirror so I could review the signs everyday.

Hope this helps some. There are many parents here who sign and can give great advice and suggestions! Have fun!

Daniella
Mom to Julia 6-13-02
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b35d0802848f *December pictures

[JulieL]

There are several good books that have signs good to start out with babies. I even saw in the book section at Target these little square boxes with signs to use with babies. I think it had 20 cards and it cost only $8 (maybe less). There were other little boxes also that had game ideas for 3 year olds and such. If you use the signs yourself it will be the best way for your child to learn. I sign to my son on top of letting him watch the Signing Time videos. If you didn't sign to him but just let watch the videos then your baby wouldn't see the point of using them. The point of signing is for communication. People have been using sign language way before there were videos, so I think you would be fine on your own. In saying that I must plug this for Signing Time (which I love!), you get to see children of various ages signing. This is wonderful to show you that your child could have different variations due to fine motor skill developement. I have the Garcia book and found it an excellant read. I hope this is helpful! Good Luck and have fun!!! Oh my son didn't sign till 18 months and now uses them all the time so don't be dihearted if it takes a while, or not. The one that has proved the best to date is the sign for help. It definately cut down on the screaming!

[egoldber]

Complete and total ditto!

[AngelaS]

I have taught three children to sign and have yet to see a video. :D I used the book Baby Signs and a signed English text from college to learn signs.

My girls always picked signs up fastest thru their favorite books. I would pick one or two things from each page and show the girls the signs for those items. It didn't take long before they were signing along. :D

[cilantromapuche]

Should I be concerned about staying true to ASL? This sounds like a dumb reason but I think what if he needed it later on and had learned some other type of sign.

[cdlamis]

>Should I be concerned about staying true to ASL? This sounds
>like a dumb reason but I think what if he needed it later on
>and had learned some other type of sign.
>
I figured if I were going to teach Julia another language, I would teach ASL and not just made up signs for babies.

Daniella
Mom to Julia 6-13-02
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b35d0802848f *December pictures

[cilantromapuche]

Do I need all three or are some better than the others? This has been very helpful!