Baby Sign Language from Perry Public Library

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Sign Language For Babies?

Have you ever wondered why parents are so pleased

when their baby learns to wave bye-bye?

This is one of the first natural forms of communication.

This may be your baby's first sign.

tips on getting started

helpful websites

books and videos

It is a fact that infants develop the fine muscles in their hands before they develop those required for speech, so they're equipped to communicate with you before they can speak.

Most babies will invent their own "signs" to get their meaning across. A baby may learn to wave bye-bye, for example, or point to his or her nose when it needs a wipe.

Signing allows you to share your baby's world without waiting for her to speak. You are likely to be surprised by what your baby sees, hears and feel.

Research has shown that, those babies who are taught to use signs to communicate before they can speak actually begin speaking sooner. In addition, these babies are likely to have a larger vocabulary once they begin to speak.

You can begin signing with your baby at any time and your baby is likely to show a great deal of interest in your hand movements from a very young age. However, keep in mind that, on average, the motor skills necessary for babies to sign back to you mature at around 10 months of age.

Identify a few words that represent objects or actions that your baby is most interested in and begin with the signs for these words first. Your baby is more likely to be interested in signing with you if you focus on words that are of interest to her. Perhaps your baby has a favorite teddy bear (teach the sign for bear) or enjoys a story about a cat (teach the sign for cat) or loves to play with your shoes (teach the sign for shoes.)

If your baby can clap, point, or wave bye-bye,

then your baby can sign

  • Start with a few signs

  • Say the word whenever you sign

  • Repeat both the sign and the word often

  • Make signs a part of your daily routine

  • Point to or hold the object that represents the word you are teaching

  • Wait for your baby to respond — be patient...this may take a while!

  • Help your baby make the sign with her own hands

  • Ask for your baby to sign - play “show me”

  • Always sign the correct sign

  • Share books with your baby using familiar signs
    along with the illustrations

  • Recognize and respond to your baby’s own made-up signs

  • Involve the whole family and friends in signing
    —make sure Daddy and Grandma know the signs too!

  • Above all be patient, offer a great deal of praise and make learning fun

 

Helpful Websites:

Online Sign Language Dictionaries:

American Sign Language
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm

Baby Hands Productions: Video Dictionary of signs
 www.babyhandsproductions.com

ASL Pro     www.aslpro.com

Baby’s First 100 Signs   http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/concepts.htm

Baby Sign Language Programs & Instructors:

 

Good Books to get you started

Baby Sign Language: How to talk to your baby before your baby can talk
      / by Linda Acredolo

My first baby signs / Baby signs for animals / Baby signs for bedtime  / by Linda Acredolo

Signing Smart with Babies and Toddlers / by Michelle Anthony

Baby Talk / by Monica Beyer

Teach Your Baby to Sign / by Monica Beyer

Baby Sign Language Basics /  by Monta Z. Briant

Sign, Sing, and Play /  by Monta Z. Briant

Sign to Learn / by Kirsten Dennis

Baby Signing / by Andrea Fixell

Baby Signing 1 2 3 / by Nancy Cadjan

Sign With Your Baby /  by Joseph Garcia

Hello, Goodbye: teaching your baby to sign (board book) /  by Lora Heller

Teaching Your Baby to Sign /  by Lora Heller

Baby Sing & Sign (with music CD)   / by Anne Miller

Everything Baby Sign Language Book (with DVD)  / by Teresa Simpson

Videos & DVDs

I Can Sign! / by Linda Acredolo

Baby Steps: Sign With Me / Baby Steps Video

Sign With Your Baby /  by Joseph Garcia

Baby See ‘n Sign / Kronz Kids Productions

Baby Einstein: My First Signs / Walt Disney Home Entertainment