[ZebraD]

I'm really interested in using baby sign language with my child, and I think I have my husband on board as well (he'd never heard of it before).
My question is - How important is it that all the child's carers are involved? Does it help to have all grandparents/uncles and aunts/carers using the language?
Related to this - If the child is using sign language to communicate their needs, should we educate their carers in what the signals mean to avoid the child getting frustrated that their message isn't getting across?

This post has been edited by ZebraD: 08/05/2010, 09:07 AM

[Bazinga]

Will this program work with all babies?

[BabySignsAustral...]

I understand studies show that babies that use sign will have advanced speech in toddler years, but I'm concerned that if we teach our baby to sign that it will delay her starting to talk as it would be easier and less frustrating for her to revert to signing as that is what she will already know.

Have there been any studies in relation to delayed speaking in babies using sign?

Hello!

Thank you for your question.

Drs. Linda Acredolo & Susan Goodwyn's research was completed over many years. Part of their research focused on whether using signs would delay a child's speech. What they found was that it didn't, and that in fact, it encouraged babies to talk earlier than they normally would.

You can find more information:
http://www.babysignsaustralia.com.au/webap...?info_id=207529

Or view our program video for more information:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BabySignsAustr...f/1/BZxzhWaDct0

Baby Signs Australia

[BabySignsAustral...]

My husband and I plan to teach our new baby 2 languages. I would be speaking only English and my husband will speak only Spanish. Would incorporating Baby Sign Language help or hinder this bilingual child's development and would be both be able to incorporate the signs with our respective languages?

Kate

Hello Kate!

Thank you for your question.

The answer is it will support your bilingual child's language development. Adding signing to the mix actually makes the child’s job easier, not harder.

When children first start learning about language, they quite naturally look for one-to-one correspondences between words and the objects (or actions) they label. For example, babies in an English-only environment, upon hearing the word “milk” in the presence of white stuff in their bottle, will eventually learn to associate the two together.

When children hear two languages, they need to figure out that both words are equally important labels for milk. Which is where signing comes to into play. By adding a sign to the mix so that the same visual symbol (sign) accompanies both words (“milk” and for example “leche”), parents make the job of connecting the object with the meanings of both words much easier for babies.

In other words, when the baby hears “leche” paired with sign and then also hears “milk” paired with the sign, the pieces fall into place.

Baby Signs Australia

[BabySignsAustral...]

When should I stop using sign language with my child?

Hello!

Thank you for your question.

Generally children take the lead in this area and will drop their signs once words begin. This is due to children finding words a lot easier to use than signs.

Just like the success when they first learnt signs, once they see success in getting their needs and wants meet through words, they will drop the more involved practice of signing.

If your child does not drop the signs and they are taking your cue of when they should, then slowly drop signs that they can say and you understand. A good first example is the word "Mum" as a lot of children will say "Mum" when they first speak. Just remember to stagger the words you drop as words such as "kangaroo", could take a while for your child to physically say.

Baby Signs Australia

[jacaxelach2]

i have a almost three year old that is almost completely speechless do u think signing will help my child to communicate with us

[BabySignsAustral...]

When is the best time to start signing? Is there ever a point when it's too late to start?

Hello!

Thank you for your question.

We suggest beginning the program before three years of age.

For earlier signing babies (before 12 months) they will usually learn the full Baby Signs program.

With older signers, they benefit through having an avenue to use those more complex words such as "birthday", "crocodile" and "puzzle". This means they could build their language from ten spoken words to ten spoken words PLUS 100 signing words.

Baby Signs Australia

[Tofu Puff]

Hi,
I have been using the first basic signs with my almost 6 month old: mum, dad, eat, drink and milk - with milk being the one I can see she recognises the most, lol.

What would you recommend be the next most important set of signs I teach her?

Also, what would you recommend I teach her to represent her sister? Can I just use the sign for sister whilst saying her sister's name (as I can see she is already starting to recognise her sister's name) or should I spell out her name using the Auslan alphabet?

Many thanks!

[BabySignsAustral...]

How long does it usually take babies to start using baby signs? What factors influence a baby's interest in/willingness to take up signing?

Hello!

Thank you for your question.

Because children grow and develop at different times, we are unable to answer how long it takes for babies to start using signs.

What we do know is the earlier you start, the longer the wait it will be before they begin to use signs. For example, one parent used the Baby Signs program with both her daughter's from the day they were born, and both her daughters started using three signs by five months. Whereas, waiting until they are older, say around ten months, will mean they learn the signs quicker. I recently spoke with a parent who started using the Baby Signs program with his son at ten months, and his baby started signing his first word in two weeks. Each signing story is different and unique, including our own.

With regards to encouraging signing with your baby, we suggest starting with signs that match your baby's interests. For example, if they have teddy bear they love, use the sign "bear" or if your family has a pet dog, use the sign "dog" in your starting signs.

Baby Signs Australia

[BabySignsAustral...]

If babies create their own signs for certain words should these also be adopted by the parents/caregivers and used or is there benefit in sticking with "correct"/prescribed signs?

Hello!

Thank you for your question.

If babies create their own signs we promote using the ones that they create.

This is because the Baby Signs research tells us that babies have a natural desire to communicate and will pick up quickly that signing allows them to communicate their needs, wants and feelings before talking.

Therefore, they may create a sign because a parent/caregiver is yet to introduce a sign to an object, concept or emotion. Babies do this to continue the success of communication and if we try to change that sign to a "prescribed" sign we can confuse babies and take away that joy they have achieved in communication.

Take a further look at:
http://www.babysignsaustralia.com.au/webap...?info_id=207456

Baby Signs Australia