Mumsnet Talk

Annie Kubler uses BSL signs, (but is technically sign supported English, but specifically BSL rather than signalong)

not too late. one thing I didn't know is there are different baby signs (a bit like languages, so don't confuse yourself with buying too many different things. we did sing and sign classes also but only for a term. we have their dvds and dd loves them. she has pretty much self taught herself the signs from watching the dvd <lazy>. she has suprised us by knowing signs we didn't know she knew via the dvd! we still watch one sing and sign dvd (she's nearly 2) and she loves doing the actions to the songs and although will chat and talk alot still does a number of signs as she talks

One is a great age to start because you will get results almost immediately. I would suggest learning the really important signs first, yes, no, more, all done, please and thank you then move on to food, drink etc. learning animal sounds and signs are nice easy ones to do.
Try the cbeebies website they may have some signs on the something special section. My kids love something special and have learnt lots of signs watching that
Enjoy, it's great being able to communicate with your little one.

The 'not at all' was the answer to 'too late to start?' by the way.

If you just pick a few key words I'm sure he'll crack it in no time.

Not at all - I didn't do much signing but DS could sign 'bird' and point at the telly which meant he wanted to watch 'Rio'. He could also sign for drink which was a godsend. Focus on the words you want him to learn and repeat repeat repeat!

I took all 3 of mine to Sing and Sign and it's been wonderful. It's a lovely, fun music class for them and you choose which signs to use in the home.
The signs are a mixture of Macaton and BSL, simple stuff so the tinies can do them easily.
My youngest is 19m and is loving signing - and they all really enjoyed Something Special - but best of all my older two - 6 and 4yo - still use the signs to communicate with my little one. He has lots of words now but uses the signing in tandem.

I would say go to a S&S class if you can and if not invest in the dvds and signing dictionary. I don't think you'll regret it.

One other thing. We were taught never to sign in silence - always say the words as you sign them. All three of mine talked early and are very articulate, I'm sure that has something to do with it!

Good luck

we watched the 'sing and sign' dvd, we live abroad and classes were not an option, my little boy loved it and still watches it now he's 3, he learnt some signs quite quickly and we never really had any frustration about communicating, we also came to them quite late.

Not sure which system AnnevKubler uses. Like I say we used a book from the library, can't remember which one sorry, and a sing & sing DVD I had from ebay.

If you are thinking of something special, they use makaton. Have a look here

Thanks so much all. What are some good books/DVDs to get started with? Have bought the Annie Kubler book. Is 'Something Special' worthwhile? or is that for older children?

I took ds1 to sing and sign classes from 7 months, but I didn't really do it at home with him until he was about 11 months. He took to it really well and I would 100 per cent recommend it. Buy the sing and sign DVDs and you will pick it up easily. The CDs were good for the car too.

I am to going to bother taking DS2 to classes. I am just doing it at home with basic signs (food, drink, milk, nappy etc) and i will stick the DVDs on when I can locate them!

It is never too late.
signed stories and twinkle fingers are good for songs and stories. And you can get loads of books for children (google Annie Kubler or "child sign book")

I did it with des from an early age and did go to a class, just got a book from the library.

I was much more lax with dd and didnt really bother. She started nursery at 3 and they used makaton all the time with all the children. She picked it up really easily so I think its not too late to learn at all. It might be worth talking to your childcare provided too, they might already use some signs, them you can use the same ones.

My DS (just 1) is desperate to talk and while he can say a few words he obviously has trouble communicating. He does a lot of screeching and getting frustrated so I would love to be able to find a way to help him tell me what he wants. Am I too late to start teaching him to sign?

How do I go about it. I work full time so wouldn't be able to take him to classes but would I be able to do it in the evenings at home together?