Baby Signs

We are teaching Ashtyn sign language and wondered if anyone knew of a good book that would teach me about baby signs or regular signs so I know what I am doing...lol!!!! Any advice on signing would be great!

[BabyHardiman]

COOL!!  We are going to do teach our baby sing language too!  We have already begun to teach the older two girls how to sign their letters.  I think this is such an excellent gift to give your child.  I can't wait to see the responses!

[JoyRenee]

You don't really need a book. Just use the signs in your every day life. That is how I taught our children (I just did SIMPLE signs, nothing fancy). They just pick it up! When you give your baby milk, you have to verbally say, "Milk" AND do the sign at the same time. After time, wait until baby signs before handing the milk over and smiling and saying, "Yes, milk!"

When you say "Thank you" sign it at the same time. When you say "Sorry", sign it, and so on!

My first daughter began picking up the signs and using them by her first birthday. My second started doing signs when she was 5 months old. Babies will use body language long before they use real words! It boosts their IQ too!!!

[JoyRenee]

Oh, and don't worry if it takes time. And sometimes the sign is so subtle you don't notice. Like "milk" looks like you're milking a cow, sort of (that's what I think of anyway!). You just squeeze your fist and then relax it (I do it somewhat fast and more than once so it is exaggerated). I didn't notice my baby signing it at first because I thought she was just making a fist! HA!

Don't get discouraged and don't give up. It will take time on almost all the signs!!!

[AndiJ78]

Common first signs for babies are milk, more, sorry, please, thank you, yes, no, and eat. I started with those literally from birth. Out of habit whenever I would say something I would sign it. As time went on I found myself signing everything to them. The Children's Book of the Month Club has a cute "My First Sign's" book, there are also some great cd roms out there that demonstrate the signs for you. We still sign a lot of things, in fact I don't know that anyone just says the words above, we all sign them, too without thinking about it ; )

I noticed it really helped with Tristan. He took longer to talk (seems like Jonathan did all his talking for him) and by giving him a "voice" through sign, he was able to express himself in a positive way.

Way to go, baby sign is such a wonderful gift.

[jenstam]

I am teaching Brody sign language. I am in an ASL class to learn more, but also when we put him in his swing or want to keep him occupied for bits of time, we always put in the Baby Einstein DVD, which he LOVES. I highly recommend it. Sorry, I don't know a book but I'm sure there are plenty out there.

[tiredbuthappy]

http://www.signwithme.com/002_browse_signs.asp

click on the word and it has a video showing the sign. like andi said, you really only need to learn basic words.

[Cheyenne_08]

Thanks everyone!!!!

[mysty2001]

baby signing for dummies

[maddysmommy]

we are teaching blake sign now.. when you take him to therapy ask them there..i dont know if he sees ot or speech but they will probably have the best answers..i cant remember the book they suggested...ill ask on friday when we see her again..good luck

[Cheyenne_08]

Thank you!!!!

[rubyolivia]

Discovery Toys has a good signing product! ;)

Honestly, we do.

[Cheyenne_08]

lol....well, I will go check it out and see if I like it...if so, you might get an order = )

[K1990]

I have the book... Random House Webster's American Sign Language Dictionary and it is wonderful!!  Very very helpful, I am teaching my little ones that I nanny for and it is just perfect!