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Original poster

Any mums here who signed with their babies? I need your input.

105 replies

asmallpoll · 02/02/2006 19:34

Hello.

I have been teaching signing to hearing babies for a little while now.

After a really good start I have found that my numbers have started to dwindle quite alot despite lots of promotion and demonstrations at various meetings and groups.

I found out today that there is a group of mums who frequent the local social circle who have been criticising signing in general saying amongst other things that it delays all speaking in babies and is only for special needs children and no others I live in a semi rural area and word travel fast

What I would like to find out here is what your opinion of baby signing, with hearing children, is? I'm sure there will be a mixture of comments and I would like to show them to mums who come to talks in the future.

I really don?t want to give reams and reams of information from experts which is why it would be interested to hear from you.

All of your opinions would be gratefully received be they positive or negative.

Thank you.

OP posts:
meggmoo · 02/02/2006 19:38

What utter rubbish that it delays speech if anything it promotes it!

All the babies I have ever known who have done it(consistantly) have been miles ahead in terms of vocab than thier non speaking peers. (and that has been quite a considerable number of babies too!)

hana · 02/02/2006 19:39

baby signing is in vogue at the moment
I can see that it would help babies and young children who may have special needs
I've not thought much of it myself - words start coming at about one don't they, and then they come thick and fast. classes for these babies only start at about 8 months don't they? so I can see partents trying it out for a term , maybe 2, but stop after that cause maybe they see their littleone speaking more and more
but I don;'t see that it would inhibit speech development

it isn't for everyone

MarsOnLife · 02/02/2006 19:40

doesn't inhibit speech at all. DT1 uses some signs, but talks more and more. She uses signs to emphasis her point I've found. DT2 never got on with signing and hardly says a word.

I think that signing encourages communication.

starlover · 02/02/2006 19:40

i think it's great! it allows me to communicate with my 11 month old where otherwise i woul dhave no idea what he wants!

i know several people with older children who sign and they all have an incredible vocab and speak very well.....

bundle · 02/02/2006 19:42

can't see the point of it myself, would rather spend my time/money on something else.

starlover · 02/02/2006 19:43

haven't spent any money on it! got some books from a library and we just sign throughout the day with whatever we're doing... so no extra time involved either!

bundle · 02/02/2006 19:45

you didn't spend any time learning it? that's strange.

dd2 does a little signing at nursery, during circle time, where they have a couple of SN children (all the workers went on a Makaton course) and she enjoys that, but I've never had any trouble communicating with my girls.

hunkermunker · 02/02/2006 19:45

DS1 went to baby signing from 7mo. He signed from about 10mo (when he said his first word - bubble). He had quite a few signs (largely animal and food-related...!) and picked them up very quickly if he wanted to use them iyswim.

His language is incredible now he's 22m.

I'd say it gives them the idea that they can communicate and allows them to before they learn enough words - signs are easier.

starlover · 02/02/2006 19:46

not really.... flicked through the books... all the signs were in alphabetical order, so just had a peek when i wanted to know what something was...

really no effort involved at all.

hana · 02/02/2006 19:46

dd also does makaton at preschool (I also use it teaching)
she has a friend who has no speech and they use it to talk to each other, v sweet to see them communicating in this way, they are both 4

Original poster
asmallpoll · 02/02/2006 19:46

thanks bundle!

I know what you mean and I understand why someone wouldn't be interested in it but I live in a town where everyone moans that there isn't anything to do with babies!

It's a matter of opinion whether people like the idea or not the same way people agree/disagree about routines for babies or smacking.

I think I was just a bit shocked that people would go as far to say it delayed development when they don't seem to know enough about it.

OP posts:
bundle · 02/02/2006 19:47

would rather be baking cakes or swimming than peeking at signs.

biglips · 02/02/2006 19:47

im a deaf mummy and my DD is hearing and had been signing a mixed of baby sign and BSL sign (im a speaker, walrning to sign) and signing apparantly supposed to IMPROVE the speech development for the child so baba had improved alot too

kittyfish · 02/02/2006 19:47

I take my 9mo daughter to sing and sign classes and she loves it. I think it is a great idea and such a shame that a few people who know nothing about it are spoiling it for you Asmallpoll. Anything that helps communication between parent and child is great imo.

starlover · 02/02/2006 19:47

yes well it takes me a matter of seconds to look it up in a book... so still plenty of time for baking cakes etc...

why SO anti bundle?

biglips · 02/02/2006 19:48

walrning = learning!!!!

bundle · 02/02/2006 19:48

i wouldn't say it delayed, asmallpoll, but i would much rather do another activity with my child, especially if i was in a rural community.

bundle · 02/02/2006 19:49

i think there's too much reading about parenting (whether it's signing, etc) why not just do things?? or is that not v trendy?

Psychobabble · 02/02/2006 19:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

starlover · 02/02/2006 19:51

well... we DO things as well. signing doesn't take over our lives1 it's just another activity that i find enjoyable and helpful.
we still go for walks in the park, feed the ducks, colouring, making cakes etc etc

bundle · 02/02/2006 19:53

i even got sent the books about signing (because of work) if anyone wants them, I'd be happy to give them away if I can find them

kittyfish · 02/02/2006 19:54

You speak as well as sign - I talk to my dd all day but I use signs for certain words too. As for reading too much about parenting - no reading at a signing class and it is getting out and doing something. Can't see why you are so negative about it Bundle.

bundle · 02/02/2006 19:55

and I can't see why you're so positive about it (unless your children have SN/want to communicate with someone who has SN)

kittyfish · 02/02/2006 19:57

Because it is fun, it is a bit different, I meet nice people, my daughter loves it, I will be able to meaningfully communicate with her at a much younger age than if we just spoke... Now give me your reasons for being such an anti.

bundle · 02/02/2006 19:59

didn't need it, my girls spoke very early and I think it's a bit "up itself".

was serious about the books though, will try to dig them out tonight if anyone would like them, CAT me and I'll send them (I'll pay for postage)