We've begun a new adventure around our house and it's...Baby Signing!
I wanted to start signing with the girls because our therapist told us one day that especially with multiples, speech can be delayed for one and really strong for the other. Usually one multiple speaks first and then speaks for his/her sisters/brothers and so they become advanced where the other multiple becomes delayed. So baby signing can and hopefully will eliminate one multiple needing to speak for the other(s). Of course I will do whatever is best for each of the girls, so baby signing it was!
Also, I know so many families that it has worked for and it's just amazing what babies can learn and how fast they do!
So, it's been well overdue and finally I got around to borrowing some videos to sample from a friend before purchasing any.
We've been watching:
And...
It's taken me awhile to learn too...but it's something I really want to do and teach the girls! Any good hints or suggestions I should do/use for teaching the girls? I would be grateful, as I can barely remember each sign most of the time!!
Wish us luck!
Do you have a preference on the videos? We bought a book, and flash cards. But I forget a lot too. And it's hard to remember to sign things to her. A video would probably be nice for all of us!
ReplyDeleteMaybe pick 2 signs like please and thank you or more and all done and just focus on those until everyone's got it before adding another set of words. That would be easier to remember than 20 words/signs at once, then it won't get overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteConsistency is key! We started signing with our son consistently around 6 months (I signed to him from birth, though I am fluent, so it was just me talking to him). We started with more, and by 9 months, he could do more. We would say "more" and sign it, and then give him more ( food typically ). Once he mastered that we moved on, one sign at a time, some of which he would master in 1 day ( like apple ). At 18 months, he probably knew about 25 signs.
ReplyDeleteStick with it, even if it seems like you're not getting anywhere! One day, it'll be an explosion, and all of a sudden signs will be flying.
One thing I did find SUPER helpful, was getting family on board. Whenever family would babysit, I would bring flashcards of the signs my son knew. That way they were not totally confused. My parents were thrilled that their grandson could communicate his basic needs with them at such a young age.
We love baby signing and have used it for all 4 of our kids! Samantha is our talker and Samuel loves to sign :)
ReplyDeleteWe love Baby Signing Time! My kids didn't care much for the Baby Einstien videos, but Baby Signing Time and now regular Signing Time are their favorites. At 18 months my kids are using about 80 signs currently. It is so much fun. I never used flash cards or really anything except the videos. I learned from the vidoes and then just tried to remember to sign the word every time I said it. My kids didn't really start signing back until a year old, but they have taken off in the last few months and sign constantly. It is sooo helpful because they can express themselves so much more easily. They say many of the words now, too, but without the signs it is still hard to understand them. I suggest starting with the food signs- more, eat, milk, and all done. Then go from there. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love this, I want to it too. We do eat, more and all done. :)
ReplyDeleteI love baby signing time! I do it with Aubrey. I like to try and use the signs when we're doing whatever activity is that we just learned about. For instance, when they taught about fruit, I'd often do the sign for "banana" when we were eating bananas, or "crackers" for crackers. She doesn't seem to respond too much but I think my repeating the process, she'll get it more and more...eventually. :)
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