Baby Signs
By kimko5099
@kimko5099 (195)
United States
February 28, 2007 1:50pm CST
I've been teaching my baby signs since he was six months old: eat, more, drink, milk, all done. I know he knows what they mean but the only one that he has caught on with is more. He is now nine months. Does anybody else do signs with your baby? If so what are your experiences? I would like some suggestions on how to get my baby to learn them better. Thanks.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@mommycrat (148)
• United States
28 Feb 07
We started with our son doing Potty, Mommy, Daddy and Milk as soon as he was born. He's 5 mos and has been signing potty for 3 mos now, Daddy for about a month and has made his own sign for milk. I also noticed he only does them when we are close b/c he knows we understand. If we aren't in his line of vision, he makes his old noises for those things.
@mommycrat (148)
• United States
2 Mar 07
Try http://www.handspeak.com/
My family has deaf members, so we've always done sign language. For potty, everytie we changed him we'd wave our fist back and forth and say "potty." The correct sign would be waving the letter "T" (thumb stuck between your index and middle fingers), but that was a bit much to ask of a newborn. He took it and waves his arm up and down when he wants to be changed (not quite when he potties..sometimes he doesn't want to stop playing).
Consistency (as with everything) is key. If he sees you using the hand sign every time you say the word, then it *is* the word for him. And, respond as soon as he does a sign so that he knows you understand him.
@kimko5099 (195)
• United States
28 Feb 07
Wow he learned really early. Thats great! I dont't even know the sign for potty. Where did you learn your signs from? Is there a good place online that shows you how to do them correctly?
@rachelzwo (310)
• United States
28 Feb 07
I'm just starting to teach my daughter signing. She will be 6 month next week. My husband thinks I'm being stupid for wanting to teach her it, but I don't care. I wish you the best of luck with it. Please tell me how it's going, I would love to know.
@juliemarie84 (642)
• United States
28 Feb 07
I don't think it's stupid at all. It will be a wonderful way to communicate with your child before they learn to speak. It works.
@kimko5099 (195)
• United States
28 Feb 07
My baby just learned the sign for more. Its really cute. Everytime he wants more of something he claps his hands. Thats the only one that he does right now. And I know that he understands eat, milk, and water beacuse evrytime I do it he gets really exited and looks for it. I guess it takes alot of patience.
@juliemarie84 (642)
• United States
28 Feb 07
My nephews are raised on signs at early age as well. Interestingly enough, the only ones I'd see them do was "More". But it's a great form of communication for the little ones that can't talk. My one nephew that was raised on that is now 4 years old. He talks non-stop and even knows to speak some Spanish and Japanese. It's amazing what they learn if you teach them early on.
@kimko5099 (195)
• United States
28 Feb 07
Did he do anything else besides more? I heard baby signs are a really good form of communication and some babies talk faster.
@VermontSigns (12)
• United States
3 Mar 07
Hi Kimko,
I have been an instructor for Baby Signs, Inc. for about 4 years now. I signed with my twins. Each of them learned over 100 signs and they turned to words around age 2!
Many of the parents who came to my workshops and classes started just as you did - with the basics, eat, drink, more, etc.
The reason your baby has learned more is it is used a lot ( more book, more drink, more eat, etc.) and that it is a really helpful sign!
I suggest introducing some signs for things he is really interested in - do you have a dog or a cat? What is his favorite stuffed animal? Does he like balls, etc.
I think introducing signs for things they are really interested in communicating about will help them be really motivated to use the signs.
Hope that helps,
Kelly
