Charlotte Said:

Is it possible to teach a baby sign language with only 2 days of time a week?

We Answered:

yeah, it will just take longer than if it was every day.

Judith Said:

how do u teach your baby sign language?

We Answered:

it's easy just like learning to read or learning to speak!
when saying words just use the sign and start having them use the sign to tell you what they want.
signs like i(point to self), want(hands palm up move towards body). milk(cow horn). or sleep, hungry, eat, drink, play, television
just using signs with/for everyday words will get them in to his/her head
there are movies they can watch(baby signing time is a good one), classes you can take

Tracy Said:

How can I teach a Baby Sign language??

We Answered:

I am impressed with all of the good information you have been given. The Baby Signs book is terrific. I use signs/gestures with all of my early talkers and non-talkers as a Pediatric Speech Pathologist. It definitely promotes language development in typical and delayed children. As far as making sure that your baby makes the connection between the word and sign make sure that you prompt the sign/word before giving them the wanted item/response. For example, if your child wants to be picked up, wait until they lift their arms on their own or with your help, before lifting them up. With consistency, they will be showing you they want up very quickly. Try using the gestures/signs as part of the songs you are doing with your baby. Hand-over-hand works great. Some signs need to be modified for your baby to be able to use them. This is fine since at this point you and your baby are the only ones that will really need to understand the signs being used. Don't worry about making sure that your baby knows one sign before introducing the next one. We certainly do not do this in teaching them oral language. Keep a list of the words and signs that your baby knows and uses. You will be happily surprised by his rate of development. If you have any concerns, please have you child evaluated by a pediatric speech/language pathologist.

Rachel Said:

What are the best ways to teach a baby American Sign Language?

We Answered:

While I don't know ASL and, therefore, don't know the specifics of teaching it, I am a retired English as a Second Language teacher. The teaching methods may well be the same. Either use signing alone or as you are saying the same things orally. Children pick up languages much faster than adults so you can probably expect them to learn a few "words" right away. My nephew, who studied ASL in high school and college, started signing to his daughter soon after she was born. She could communicate simple ideas through ASL long before she could speak. Signing did not delay her oral communication and maybe enhanced it.

Ruben Said:

How did you teach your baby sign language?

We Answered:

I started about a month ago. Still waiting for my 8.5 month old to make a sign, LOL! But it's all about patience (plus, 7 - 8 months is a good time to start signing but don't expect results right away). Here's what I did / do:

I bought the DVD and book from Joseph Garcia. Check out Amazon.com. He's a recognized "expert" in teaching babies sign language based on American Sign Language (I'm sure the Baby Einstein is based on the same sign language so probably no need to buy another DVD).

First, I chose the 3 signs (as he suggested) I wanted to start with. I did this for 2 reasons:
1. To keep it simple for the baby: too many signs and they will get confused.
2. To keep it simple for me! LOL! In the beginning I found I forgot to make the signs.

Since consistency is key start with just a few. The signs I chose were "eat," "milk" and "cat" (because we have one and I thought I would be cute for her to sign it!). After they start making these signs you can start to add more.

Then, each time we go to eat I make the sign at her eye level and say the word (making sure she sees me do it). I also make the sign/say the word while she is eating. I do the same each time she has a bottle and each time the cat comes around.

Again, consistency and patience are key. Think of it as something fun to do and not a must-have.

Good luck!

Troy Said:

How early can i start to teach my baby sign language?

We Answered:

I found my library has the series "Baby Signing Time" so we're using that with my second, and my first really loves them as well as relearning a lot of the signs she knew, and remembering them better. :) The first DVD was:
-eat -cracker, banana, cereal
-drink - milk, juice and water
more and done (in connection with eat and drink)
-diaper/potty
-mother, father, grandma, grandpa
-pets - dog, cat, bird, frog, horse
-hurt - where? - point to the spot

With my son, he's 4 months old so we just use them around him like we would use normal language around him, which is how the hard of hearing and deaf kids pick it up (I know several 6-9 month olds who string words together and sign.) He HAS started signing 'mom' (coinciding with him starting to say "mommommomm" when he sees me this week...) so I do think he's starting to do something there. So 6 months is plenty old enough to start. But don't do flashcards as much as just you signing around him. You give a bottle and you sign 'milk' or breastfeed and sign 'mama milk' etc. (Loved how in the video it shows a mother breastfeeding!)

Add: 6 months is when most babies start signing back. Though here's one signing back at 3 months. But like any language, you just use it around them and they pick it up.

Add: I actually put those videos up for the poster, not you A. That's why the first is a 6 month old, her baby is 6 months old, so it's very relevant. Then I thought the 3 month old was interesting. But, look up the information. 6 months old is when they begin to sign back and almost every class guarantees a 6 month old can learn to sign (it's also when most babies start trying to say their first word, so is it surprising?) The one woman was saying her 3 month old spontaneously signed 'up' when asked what she wanted, and stopped crying when picked up, and that is the beginning of language (she said the baby also tried to say 'up', not just sign it, though hearing the baby I think it's mommy wishful thinking it's not impossible.) At 4 months old some babies have shown to understand their parents' signs. Repetitive behavior is how a baby learns to speak, to communicate, to sign, to do anything. Like any language, it's pretty understood that earlier exposure is better than putting it off.

Please provide evidence that it's impossible for a 4 month old to sign if you're going to argue it's pointless to teach them until 11 months old. I've simply babysat far too many deaf or children of deaf kids who were signing at 4-6 months old, consistently communicating their needs, to accept your answer that a 4 month old can't sign.

Travis Said:

Parents, did you teach your baby sign language?

We Answered:

Yes, we started sign language a few months ago. Technically you can start as soon as your child is able to wave bye-bye. We ended up using sign language because our daughter is a late talker, too. She is finally starting to repeat some words that we say, and the doctor isn't concerned because she understands many words.

Our experience with sign language has been very positive so far. Angela picked up on it quickly, and uses her signs appropriately. It has definitely helped bridge the communication gap until she can talk better. This morning she came up to me and signed "more" and "eat" to tell me she was still hungry. It's a pretty amazing thing that she can express her needs even if she can't say the actual words yet.

Best of luck!