Baby Sign Language

[Leisha]

Hi there!

My DH and I are interested in learning more about Baby Sign Language and was wondering if anyone out there could give us any advice...

We have heard that this can be an effective way of communicating with your bub while they learn to talk and while our bub is only 9 weeks old, we would like to know more.

Can anyone please help....

[bubhub]

I've just put a new page on the site that might have some help for you, it's on the following link:


http://www.bubhub.com.au/activitiessign.shtml

Hilary

[Leisha]

Thanks Hilary! I will check it out.

[vonnie100]

we used two signs before Caitlin could use words. When she had finished her food, we would say 'finished' while we turned our hands 'palm up palm down palm up palm down' and so on......this worked really good and she still does this when she pushes the plate away.
The other one we used at dinner time was 'more' and put all our finger tips together
You could probably make up your own. Its just being consistent and using it all the time while you say the words. Caitlin will still do the action while she says the word. Its pretty amazing really.
vonne100

[Lucybelle]

Check out your local library too. Babysigns won't work on such a liddle bubba, but good to get started about 6 months or so, they can respond as early as 6 months.

I think it is a great idea as they can get frustrated when they are older and can't form words, you can make up your own if you want. Boys can often resort to a punch or to when they are frustatred and this is a great way around that.

[AM]

I read a really great book called 'Baby Signs' By Linda Acredolo, it should be at the local library.

Angie

[mummy_to_4]

I will be keeping a close eye on this thread as Im to interested in baby signing

[Chickadee]

I was looking at this last week, but think it's a bit late for dd as she's already talking some. Still... might try a few.

I found this site which gives some suggested signs and tips for signing with babies: http://www.signingbaby.com/begin.html

And it has a link to this online signing dictionary which could be useful if you're looking for a particular word: http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm When you pick a word in the dictionary a small media player window opens and the sign is demonstrated in a loop. It's based on American Sign Language, not Auslan (Australian), but if it's just for bub they won't know the difference :)

[daniandremy]

I've used basic Auslan with Remy since about 9 mts, he is now 19mts and can use a whole range of signs. There is an official baby & toddler Auslan version called Makaton, there are books, classes and all sorts of stuff available. Contact Aileen Ryan johnw@ispdr.net.au for Makaton info. I haven't actually used the baby-specific stuff- just used the simplest signs available in Auslan. The Auslan website www.auslan.org.au has an online dictionary, people actually doing the signs. It's free and easy to use. I just pick the ones that are most 'different' so they won't all look the same when done with chubby baby hands.

You can make up your own, of course, but I would like to be able to communicate with our own community and so have stuck to Auslan.

Remy is now starting to talk, I don't think signing has delayed his speech at all, anyway he would always catch up in due course- it's not a race after all. Signing has most definately helped him communicate since about 12-13 mts, well before speech. He's shown very little frustration as he can sign: milk, water, more, hungry, sleepy, dog, cat, elephant, finish, bath, swim, nappy, poo, wee, mum, dad, our own sign for Remy...

Even though he is now talking more each day I keep signing as I speak specific words and encourage him to do so. I would love him to be bilingual!

[BubbleBelly]

I'm studying AUSLAN at the moment and will definately be teaching bub sign!

[divamama]

Hiya Leisha,

I'm a BSL instructor in Wellington, NZ. I can tell you it definitely does work!!! :) As has been mentioned, 6 months and upwards is a good age to start with the "average" child; a good rule of thumb is, if your child is clapping hands, waving goodbye or using other commonly used gestures he or she is ready to start BSL. On average, babies will start reproducing signs from about 8-10 mths onwards. My daughter started at 6 months, repeated her first sign at 7 months and by age 1 was using 120 signs confidently. Because it gives them a high success rate in communicating with others their confidence increases and as a result their spoken language develops much faster as well, since they have the confidence required to try and keep trying new words. At 12 months, my daughter was saying 10 words - at 16 months she started learning new ones at a rate of about 10 words a day, and at 20 months she was saying 500 words (that's when I stopped counting, lol). It works, and what's more, it HUGELY reduces frustration caused by the inability to communicate.

There are two books I can recommend, one has been mentioned already, "Baby Signs" by Linda Acredolo and the other is "Baby Sign Language" by Karyn Warburton. The company through whom I teach workshops in BSL have a website, it's www.baby-talk.co.nz. If you like, you can sign up for an online workshop through them, it's cheap as chips (so to speak).

Feel free to PM me should you have any further questions, I hope you give BSL a go, I believe you'll never regret it!!! :)

Good luck,

Tara :)

[Grubincubator]

Has anyone had any experience with the Tinytalk system?

It had some huge press recently from Today Tonight or one of those shows. Their website says it's 'based on' Auslan. I tend to think though that if you're going to learn and teach anything it would be sensible to use something that can maybe be used in the real world later on?

We've got a couple months to think about it though :) Ethan's only a couple months old.

I might go hit up the local library and see if I can find either of the aforementioned books.

[~Chick79~]

Hi Maryanne!

I only came across it today so am going to check it out to!

Let us know how you go!

[pippa]

Hi Guys,

I just went to a meeting the other day and we had a guest speaker, who actually founded simple signs- or baby sign language for the hearing child in Perth.
if anyone lives in perth or WA and want's her details then PM and I will give you the details.

cheers

[channy]

I have ordered the book and chart from this site
http://myhome.ispdr.net.au/~johnw/ (Tiny Hands/Hands Can Talk). They specialise in baby sign and run workshops in NSW. I have found the books really useful and a reasonable price. We have been using it a month or so now. It is all based on auslan so is something he can use when older too. Highly recommend it.

[andrewsmum]

I'm deaf but communicate orally, I taught my son to sign when he was a bubba. By ten months he knew the signs to dog, cat, drink, more, please, thank you, i love you etc. It was great as this was all before he talked properly. You can make up your own signs as you go along.

Now he's almost 22months, I've stopped teaching him sign language, but hmmm, I wish I kept it up as he tends to mumble and whinge a bit now! I can't understand him then! :D

Good luck, I think its really worth it to teach bubbies sign language!

[veve]

Hey :)

working in special ed... I have the benifit of speaking basic conversational signed english- and have ALWAYS looked forward to teaching to my bubs...

I have actually taught some basic signs to my DH - which we find very useful... at parties or when one of us is IN the petrol station and the other over near the car :D - it is amazing how often we use it!!!! Can't wait till bubs can use it too!!!

just remember whatever signs you use with bubs you have to be CONSISTENT... and everyone (grandma grandpa etc) should learn too... so bubs can talk to them!!

xxx

[divamama]

Has anyone had any experience with the Tinytalk system?

It had some huge press recently from Today Tonight or one of those shows. Their website says it's 'based on' Auslan. I tend to think though that if you're going to learn and teach anything it would be sensible to use something that can maybe be used in the real world later on?

We've got a couple months to think about it though :) Ethan's only a couple months old.

I might go hit up the local library and see if I can find either of the aforementioned books.
Hi, just wanted to comment on your post. I can't speak for Tinytalk but from my own experience with the BabyTalk system, our system is also "based on" NZSL. What that means is that 80% of the signs are identical, the other 20% are for the most part simplified versions of NZSL signs, simplified because the NZSL signs are too complex for a young baby, with his or her limited motor skills, to manage. Your feeling that it would be helpful to teach something that might be useful later on in the "real world" makes sense, but for that to be relevant you would have to continue on with the sign language when your baby is already talking. Typically, babies will drop a sign when they learn to say the word and are confident about using the spoken word instead of the sign. Once they've been speaking (verbally) for a while and haven't used the signs, they typically forget all about them so unless you intend to follow through with the signs and follow it up with teaching them AUSLAN as a second language, it really doesn't matter whether the signs they use as babies are understood in the "real world" or only by his or her immediate family. BSL is not intended as a second language, it is merely intended as a stopgap to bridge the gap between "not talking" and "talking".

Hope that helps. :)

Tara
BSL Instructor

[Mother Duck]

Hi Guys - here I am once again a slow coach in a great thread!

I have been using sign with Mickayla and we have an absolute ball.

I think the local think I am a bit loco-loco but that's the same people that are embarrased to sing to their baby in public!

Mik's fav's are: dog, cat, bird, moon, flower, more, food, drink, I love you (she doesn't do this one properly but I get it!), book, lamp.

Sometimes she puts her fingers together to make a sign that I haven't shown her - not that I know what she means, but it is nice to see her enjoying this.

I used Makaton because I couldn't afford the baby sign books etc and just wanted to get started.

So many signs, so much fun!!!

[Jaileth]

This is really intersting.

I have heard about BSL, but forgot all about it till I came across this thread! Thank you for reminding me! It sounds like I'll have something else to study up on now!

[dizzy]

Hi everyone just found this website.
I have two boys 7 and 21 months. When my 7 year old was 6 months I started to use signed english to him. Worked great. With my 21 month old I started at 6 months also. Now he signs biscuit, toilet (most times he makes the toilet) drink, A, B,C , no, yes, please and thankyou. I also say the word to him. My children are both hearing. I had a young friend who was deaf. That is why I know how to sign. The child doesn't get frustrated trying to say what he wants. I highly recommend signing to babs.

[Grubincubator]

We ended up purchasing the TinyTalk system. Ethan's only 3 months but we figured there's no harm showing him the basics now. He gets "milk" before every feed and "more" if I have to swap sides mid-feed.

Can't wait for his first sign :-)

[Lunar]

Hi there. I have been using sign language with my 3.5yo for 2.5yrs, she has a diability with speech delay and it has been a god sent! There is a website I think you should have a look at. The lady who started the site has a business her name is Aileen Ryan and she runs "HANDS CAN TALK" She also runs workshops for parents, carers and basically anyone who is interested in learning. You can also purchase books and all sorts from the site. I would recommend signing to any parent not just those who have a child with a delay, as it has been proven to be of benefit to all. Some may say that this will encourage the child not to talk and to use sign instead but this has been PROVEN untrue! It just provides an alternative way of communicating until the approariate sounds emerge.
Of couse you ALWAYS say the word you are signing and encourage the child to watch your mouth as you are speaking.
The web site is:www.handscantalk.com.au
Hope this is of some use to you. Good luck ;)
Kristin, mum to Emily 3.5yrs, and Bit (due 1/3/06)

[Mother Duck]

Thanks Kristen - great resource!

I definately believe that sign enhances the spoken vocab - dosen't slow it down at all.

In fact Mickayla started to sign and say words at the same time.

Its great

[bubhub]

The signing courses that we know of around the country are listed on this page:


http://www.bubhub.com.au/activitiessign.shtml

If anybody knows of anymore, please feel free to email /pm me.

Thx
Hilary

[Mother Duck]

Hi all - Out of interset I thought I would share a little story with those on this thread

I have been teaching Mickayla sign for several months now and it has been great - she signs lots of words here and there and is very expressive overall

Well now, this morning (she stayed with us last night) - she made a point to wake me up. She was sitting over me on her knees - when she was sure I was wide awake she signed "I love you" - it was perfect!!

At 14 months this is her first sentence I guess! :)

[terrisue]

Hi, I have been reading all of your experiences with much interest. I am a speech pathologist working with young children with communication difficulties and have been using Makaton, which is a system of signing the key words in a sentence, for many years with these children. Makaton in Australia uses Auslan signs. So, naturally when I had my boy Felix, I decided to sign with him too. I have no qualms about it delaying a childs speech, all the research shows that it can enhance spoken language development. Felix of course foiled us all by not signing mummy or daddy first, but inventing his own sign for 'ball' so he could thouw a ball to our dog - 'dog' was his first word too, lucky dog.
I always use speech with sign, and of course do my best to encourage his spoken langauge development too by tuning into what he's interested in and talking about that with him. He's two now and a super chatter box (exhausting at times) and still loves to sign and 'talk with his fingers', his favourite at the moment is the rainbow song.
I use Aileen Ryan's resources (both baby sign and Makaton dictionaries) and recommend thes to the parents I teach in my courses (see the Activities/Sign section for my Baby Sign Time course details in Melbourne). I hope you all continue to enjoy signing with your little ones - I especially loved the 'I love you' story, and yes I find it useful for communicating with my beau through windows and at long distances too. I think its great to use Auslan, rather than only made up signs, because many childcare and kindergarten teachers also have training in Makaton/Auslan, and so potentially your child could be able to communicate with all of these people as well.
Have fun
Terri Sue

[challenge]

Hi all, it is really exciting reading about signing. I just wanted to let you know that I been signing with my daughter for a while now and have to say it is one of the best thing I have done. To be able to talk with her before she has the words has been great and from a mothers point of view I can tell you it has helped with tantrums and helped her to talk earlier - she is almost 2 now and is a really good talker). I am glad I didn't have to wait until she was 2-3 years old to be able to have conversations with her.

I have been using the Tinytalk system as it was recommended to me. The system and the signs were so easy to use, very user friendly and so much fun. I would really recommend using Tinytalk.

For those who are not sure about signing I would say try it, once you see how excited they get when they know you can understand them you will want to sign more. I recember the first time my daugher signed 'dog', she hit her leg so many times she was so excited.

Happy Signing:)

[Mother Duck]

Hi there - and welcome to bub hub!

Yes I have to aggree - although I find the sign for dog a bit tricky as when we sign 'dog' one of our five wants to jump all over M - a pat on the upper thigh in doggie sign is 'come here to me'!

Hope to see you around in some of the other chats!

[zenifa]

Attended a TINYTALK talk and signing class with my DD today, organised by my mum's group. We had lots of fun signing with our bubs (all aged 4-5 mths) and have bought the pack and plan to continue. DD is constantly trying to talk, so as a keen communicator, we think she will love this.
Having someone come out to give you the info and do a demo is fantastic too, so I would recommend that if you know of other mums who may be interested.
For anyone interested check out their website www.tinytalk.com.au
Will let you know how we go - can't wait for DD to sign back to us!! Z :)

[Seekrit]

Is anyone thinking of teaching their child basic Auslan rather than baby-sign?
the thought has crossed my mind to teach nugget some practical signs (I'm not big on the whole baby-sign thing reallly) that he/she may use in later life.

[Mother Duck]

Yeah I have used Makaton - which is based on Auslan

It consists of logical signs that help create sentences as well as an overview of finger sign.

In hindsight I think it would be easier with a baby to start with baby sign (as some signs are a bit tricky for little hands) and then progress into Auslan or Makaton.

Having said that, I havn't used the baby sign yet so hmmm - we will see

[proudmummy]

My son started signing at 7 months old. We use the Tinytalk book and he knows about 10 signs, he's invented a couple himself too! His latest is 'where'.. SO cute.
He can say a few words too but has realised that he can get what he wants by signing too. Hope this helps.

[Lunar]

seeskirt,
Check out this website
www.handscantalk.com.au
It is all auslan/makaton based and we have been using this method with Em since she was 11 months. I personally know the teacher and author of the books and she is a very good teacher. Check it out if you are leaning toward auslan/makaton.

[Seekrit]

seeskirt,
Check out this website
www.handscantalk.com.au
It is all auslan/makaton based and we have been using this method with Em since she was 11 months. I personally know the teacher and author of the books and she is a very good teacher. Check it out if you are leaning toward auslan/makaton.
very interesting, thank you :)

[didijac]

Hi Leisha,

Has anyone passed the information of the Australian baby hands website on to you?

www.australianbabyhands.com.au

This is a site that tailors sign language to bubs with Auslan in mind. Most books available for baby sign language are based on the American signing system which could be confusing if you and your little one want to keep expanding on your language skills as they get older. After all, it's a great skill for them to have.

There's also been recent studies released in the UK in regards to baby sign that have shown that the childrens vocabulary is more advanced at school entry level, as well as some indications of a higher IQ rating in these children. Unfortunately I no longer know the link to these studies, but I'm sure a quick search on the net will yield results. The above site also gives some info regarding learning etc.

Good luck,

Didijac.

[annb]

Im in WA and did the WA Deaf society baby signing course, it cost $60 for the session including a DVD of loads of signs and a chart with basic signs on it, it was very imformative, the lady who ran the session was great and of course all the profits go to the Deaf Society. We did the course when our baby was 4mths old, we have been doing only a few signs - milk, more, eat, bathtime - hes now 13mths, understands the signs and I think hes just starting signing back eat!!!

[squirtle81]

I use [URL="http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/aslpro/aslpro"] it shoes you how to do the signs for babies its really good

[goldcoastgirl18]

my boo is only 3months old but i have been signing to him since day 1 of his birth and he can do his first sign he will not cry for milk during the day he signs it to me now im so proud of him:yelclap: now that he has done his first sign i have started to try and teach him other anyone else signing to there children?




_____________________
:kiss: louise-19
:smiliedance: lucas 25-11-2005

[Mother Duck]

yep we are still happily signing away - I love it

In fact on several occassions a potential tantrum has been nipped in the bud due to her ability to sign - we thought she was pointing at one thing and it turns out she wanted something a bit hidden - she signed for it and wholla - alls well that ends well!

[nicoleE]

I am so glad I stumbled upon this thread, I am still new and am looking back in all the forums for things of interest.

I saw baby signing on Foxtel the other day (Discovery Home & Health, a show called Yummy Mummy) I thought it was a great idea and made so much sence!

I will definatly be trying it with my kids, thanks so much for all the information!

[Mother Duck]

And enjoy the journey!!!!!

:)

:thumbsup:

[Lizzy_80]

I was looking at this last week, but think it's a bit late for dd as she's already talking some. Still... might try a few.

I found this site which gives some suggested signs and tips for signing with babies: http://www.signingbaby.com/begin.html

And it has a link to this online signing dictionary which could be useful if you're looking for a particular word: http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm When you pick a word in the dictionary a small media player window opens and the sign is demonstrated in a loop. It's based on American Sign Language, not Auslan (Australian), but if it's just for bub they won't know the difference :)

I just had a look at this site and I thought it was awesome. It has a heap of signs that are showed on Video so can acurately sign them. Will definanetly refer to this site in future.

[challenge]

Hi everyone

For those of you who haven't decided which one to use, I wanted to pass on some information to you as I spent a great deal of time researching them before deciding which one to use. I decided on Tinytalk because the signs have been developed so that babies can use them. The Auslan versions ever though they looked very good I found some of the signs too difficult as the signs haven't been altered so that babies can use them. I found this very important as I didn't want to wait until my daughter was a lot older before she had the fine motor skills to use these signs, I wanted to start when she was younger. My daugter was signing back at 7 months. Tinytalk also has a great website www.tinytalk.com.au containing research, footage of babies signing etc and they were very helpful when I had a question and wanted more information (the person I spoke to was a signing mother).

Anyway though it may help.:yelclap:

[bec078]

hi every1

:thumbsup:
Im Bec, and im a qualified child care worker and have been working with babies for almost 8years...:o and have just started using AUSLAN with the children in my 0-2year old group at my childcare centre!

I am now doing my Advanced diploma of children's services. I am doing a research topic on "baby sign language" and found your site and feedback very interesting.

I have so much information on positive effects on using sining with babies, but does any one have negative effect! you didnt like it? you feel your child used signs instead of words???

i want to interview families who use signning with their child and have positive/negative effect on your child's developement or you are a speech therapist , if u would like to help me with my assay... please email me rebeccamcdonald078@yahoo.com.au

thank you so much for reading my Post and look forward to hearing from you! thanks

from bec mcdonald

[Mother Duck]

Hi everyone

I decided on Tinytalk because the signs have been developed so that babies can use them. The Auslan versions ever though they looked very good I found some of the signs too difficult as the signs haven't been altered so that babies can use them.

I also think Tinytalk is a great idea....just out of interest I find that M creates substitutes for some signs that are easier for her to use. This way the more complicated signs are easier - I figure she can learn them 'properly' later and for now I just adapt to her sign.

[defaipe]

I've just put a new page on the site that might have some help for you, it's on the following link:


http://www.bubhub.com.au/activitiessign.shtml

Hilary
thanx definately have a look :)

[NeilR]

Bec, it is probably too late, but I might be able to assist.
If the interaction is positive and fun, focused on the child's interests etc etc then it would be difficult to imagine any 'harm' from signing.
However if the signing is poorly implemented and 'forced' then you might expect there would be adverse behavioural consequences.
Note this is with a normally developing child and if there are any developmental concerns with communication or intellectual skills then it is possible that signing may not be the best/most effective path.
Also consider that the research often quoted and the 'outcomes' are very questionable from a scientific standpoint.

[Mother Duck]

Me again - still merrily signing away with Mickayla who is now 2yrs and 3mths old

Well we have had some very interesting experiences in the last year - one of which was more traumatic than I can tell you (M was bitten by a brown snake) - the relevance here is that it was her brilliant communication (and I mean brilliant) which helped me to identify the issues relating to the snake bite - these were huge and varied and while we are now almost healed - well, if it wan't for sign my toddler would have been assumed to be "just being a two year old" - becuase of the sign - I knew it wasn't that, she was in a sort of state of shock/trauma etc

On the downside - the only thing that I notice is when she wants to be defiant she won't look at me - because she knows that I will tell her off visually just as strongly as I could verbally - so she figures if she doesn't see it there is no problem!!

Clever clogs her!

Then again - selective hearing, if she wasn't "not looking" surely she would be "not listening"

Neil - great to have another fellow on the hub (assuming that you are a fellow!) - I hope that you stick around to chat in some of the other sections to

Tell us a little about yourself

T'rah for now
Jess

[NeilR]

Well, I am indeed a fellow, though with the vagaries of the www I understand why you would ask that.
I am a early paediatric Speech Pathologist, having worked with early paeds for the last 12 years, hence my reply to Bec, who has no doubt well finished her assignment!
I am married, two children and am currently at work preparing for the upcomming year!

[Tulp]

DS is now 18 weeks and he now puts his hand up and tries the "milking cow" action when he wants his milk. We've been signing that to him every since he was a month old. Amazing stuff. He loves "bath time" sign too.

[Mother Duck]

Bath and shower are great for us too

Once DD explained to me mid-tanty (sorry if I am repeating myself) that she didn't want mummy to bath but wanted daddy to do a shower for her instead

blah blah

I just get so excited about this subject!

Does anyone know how I can become accredited to teach sign for babies in my area?

Tulp - how did you get interested in sign?

Oh and - Jakey is picking it up amazingly too - he sees M and I talking with our hands and just assumes its the norm!

[Tulp]

My younger sis introduced it to her kids and I saw it actually working. Kids were signing before they could talk.

[camcat]

Only just noticed this thread. We've been signing to DS since he was approx 6 1/2 mths. We've got a tinytalk dvd and just get signs from that.
It was so nice though as couple of weeks ago DS did his FIRST EVER SIGN!!!!
Not surprisingly it was milk and he thinks it's so great that he does it all the time. He knows it only means milk but he's so proud of himself that he does it for other stuff too and then giuggles about it:laughing:. It's so nice being able to communicate in this way with him. Can't wait for him to learn the rest of them so we can have full on chats:laughing:

[kiah]

I too have been signing with my little one and it is amazing. We only do the basic signs for eat, drink, nappy change, more, no, mum and dad. Even Jayce is joining in. Great thread!

[MummyCharmzy]

We've been signing for raound 4 months now and its going great, Isobellas learnt around a dozen that she uses often and a few more for occasional and Savannah shows understanding of about 5 so far but no signing back just yet :D

[Mother Duck]

I just love this thread - it just keeps coming alive again out of the blue, and never gets boring because you can always add new information!

I wonder if the OP is still even chatting on the hub!!

Our latest is that I need to now get really serious with Mickayla (ie signing correctly - for big people!) she is now so unbelievably articulate that she never needs to sign. In fact I have seen her in the last few months questioning why her mummy talks to her with her hands and other people don't

I now want to take it to the next level both because I love signing myself (there are times that I would prefer to speak to my children using sign) and because I want her to be able to speak to children or adults who sign because they have to

As for Jakey, well now, he is yet to say real words although he certainly talks but he is already signing! Not quite properly but well on the way with I love you and lion

Another thing that might be of interst to others - we often make signs up - that is to say differ from the official - I treat this as my babies poetic licence, if they want to say it a different way, well who am I to argue!

If you are thinking of signing - GO FOR IT!!!!!

[Trumpet]

My sister and I use this one.
http://www.signwithme.com/002_browse_signs.asp

but I have been pretty slack with my DS but am trying to make more of an effort now in using it with both of my bubbas.

[kiah]

I just love this thread - it just keeps coming alive again out of the blue, and never gets boring because you can always add new information!

I wonder if the OP is still even chatting on the hub!!

Our latest is that I need to now get really serious with Mickayla (ie signing correctly - for big people!) she is now so unbelievably articulate that she never needs to sign. In fact I have seen her in the last few months questioning why her mummy talks to her with her hands and other people don't

I now want to take it to the next level both because I love signing myself (there are times that I would prefer to speak to my children using sign) and because I want her to be able to speak to children or adults who sign because they have to

As for Jakey, well now, he is yet to say real words although he certainly talks but he is already signing! Not quite properly but well on the way with I love you and lion

Another thing that might be of interst to others - we often make signs up - that is to say differ from the official - I treat this as my babies poetic licence, if they want to say it a different way, well who am I to argue!

If you are thinking of signing - GO FOR IT!!!!!

Yes it is a wonderful thread. I am sometimes reluctant to sign when I am out but I guess I should just do it anyway. It's helping her language and it's fun. I luv watiching Jayce do allthe signs to princess. It's so funny when he does the sign for no and he asks her if she wants something to eat and comes up to me doing the sign and says "Mum Kiah wants this". Very cute.:yes:

[missiemoo]

I started signing with DD when she was about 6 months old, It was GREAT it completly took away the frustration of when she wanted something.

I just simply did Auslan signing with DD as I already knew a lot of it from work (childcare) so there was only bits and pieces that I needed to check on.

My mum and dad (DD's granparents) were amazed by it, we also taught them the signs so that they could do them with DD when were at there house. Both parents still tell other people how we sign with DD and how fantastic it is. they both keep saying I wish we had done that with you 4 kids!!

[Pixie]

Eliza is signing too, Dog, Cat, Milk, we're onto mummy and daddy now, I do it when I am out, I don't care, people stare lol

[kiah]

Eliza is signing too, Dog, Cat, Milk, we're onto mummy and daddy now, I do it when I am out, I don't care, people stare lol

Well I'm taking on that attitude then. When Eliza signs back to you does she do it right. Princess just kind of squashes her hand around but I understand the gesture to some extent. She has just turned 7 mths.

[Pixie]

Eliza signs back and as soon as she sees a dog she says "dog" and signs she will watch you and copy you, and yes she does it correctly, the cat one she hasn't quite mastered it's getting there but she says "cat" so that helps lol

I am sure people think she is deaf though as I am signing so many words lol

[kiah]

Eliza signs back and as soon as she sees a dog she says "dog" and signs she will watch you and copy you, and yes she does it correctly, the cat one she hasn't quite mastered it's getting there but she says "cat" so that helps lol

I am sure people think she is deaf though as I am signing so many words lol

That is cool pixie, i can't wait to see princess do more signs. She kinda just watches me atm but i think she's getting it slowly. How old was Eliza when she really started signing back at a level u could understand???

[Pixie]

Around 9 months Kiah this week she has perfected milk so that is two fluent signs she can do now, and she has started to pat my chest sign for milk and say BOOOBY very loudly lol so subtle NOT :D

Still working on cat, mummy and daddy
she'll be turning 11 months next week.

[kiah]

That si fantastic!!!! So much to look forward to. I'm really enjoying all this signing. I wonder if there is somewhere I could get a dvd on sign language nursery rhymes? Do you know?

[Pixie]

I have no idea if you can get that?

[kiah]

I saw a video yrs ago when I was teaching about nursery rhymes thru sign but i hav no idea where i would begin to look for something like that.

[lizzymcfizzy]

See the bub hub sign language page: http://www.bubhub.com.au/activitiessign.shtml