Baby Sign Language?

[Stu Gotz]

Wacky Tabacky or the Straight Dope.

Thoughts?

[bklyn]

Where's that photo with the baby giving the finger to the camera?

[concretejungle]

My babysitter was deaf when I was little and until I was 3 or 4 used "baby" sign language to communicate. It was a great learning experience and I still retain some of it. I think it helps a lot with a babies motor skills and also provides exposure to a different language and culture, to a certain extent.

[Turd Ferguson]

My brother and sister in law did this with my niece with a handful of signs.

My first reaction was ridicule/disbelief, but when I saw my niece in action I was immediately convinced.

She never really cried/whined because she could tell them when she was hungry, thirsty, ready for a new diaper, etc

[Tippster]

Yep - don't go overboard and it works great - Milk, Hungry, Tired, Blankie/Teddy/whatever seem to be key.

[Noonan]

We did it with our little guy. It worked well. And like Tipster said keep it simple. Our guy only used around 10 signs, but it was good he could tell us "more" and "milk" and "hungry" He was able to communicate basic needs with the signs instead of just being able to cry.

He used to 'say' "please please please" for more Pepperidge Farm Goldfish - they're like crack to toddlers - and unfortunately dads too. I'd be a lot thinner if those things were never invented.

[Poop~Ghost]

^^ goldfish... we taught our little guy the "fish" sign. a very cute thing to see.



agreed w /above. keep is simple and you+baby will be happy.

[G. Gordon Liddy]

Books, websites? I have a little one coming in September (me=scared as hell), and this sounds pretty cool. At the very least it's worth a shot, right?

[Stu Gotz]

Where's that photo with the baby giving the finger to the camera?

The wonder twins already picked that one up. At the swings, I think.

They use it liberally when my parenting skills are lacking. Which is most of the time.

[flatNshallow]

Stench is baby sign for "change me".

[TeleHoar]

This totally works.

You can never start too young...

I am already using sign language to talk to my testicles.

[Chugachjed]

The book is titled Baby Sign Language. I know clever title right. My little one is 8 months as of yesterday and we're starting to teach her. She knows the signs for come here, milk, and no. Works great so far.

[G]

Wacky Tabacky or the Straight Dope.

Thoughts?

.

[Poop~Ghost]

That is sign language for...

[72Twenty]

My daughter started signing at 6 mos. She learned about 15 or so signs up to a year and a half. She is now 22 months and can say every word she learned to sign, and can say many many more.

[spanky]

http://www.signingtime.com

My 2.5 y.o. son loves these. It was really helpful when he wasn't talking yet and now we see that it's really helping his vocabulary.

[DJSapp]

The Mrs. teaches infants & toddlers and baby signs are gold, especially in a class with a dozen of them. The trick to them is, when they are signing, sign back and say the word associated with it like you're asking them a question (more? all done? are you hungry, tired, etc).

[Anxious Mo-Fo]

I'll dissent.

My wife got our toddler involved and it was a big waste of time. He learned the sign for "bird."


Stage-parent silliness.

[rideit]

Our 8 month old is teaching me calculus.

[DJSapp]

This is Mrs. DJSapp:

Baby signs do work, for most babies, not all of them pick it up. If you want to try and cut down on the screaming , crying, I want something but don't know how to tell you then try and teach them to sign to you. They are too young to even make the word (i.e. their vocal cords are not developed to produce the right sounds) but they can gesture. Of course if you think its a big waste of time, then sure, I love being in a room where I can't hear myself think, but that's why I teach toddlers...

[snow_slider]

I agree with Spanky about the Signing Time DVDs. They are awesome. Our middle daughter is profoundly deaf in both ears and, as a result, our entire family began learning ASL. These DVDs were a huge help. My oldest daughter (now almost 4 years old) absolutely LOVES these DVDs.