Signing

[PixiNanny]

I want to start learning to sign (BSL) again but I don't know whether it's worth starting now as there aren't any signing clubs around me and I know of nobody here who's even learning. But I really want to work with deaf children, which brings me to my point:

Does anybody know of families with deaf children looking for nannies? I was browsing when looking for a job a while ago but found no families on the websites or anything, whether this is because they don't advertise it or just don't have nannies at all is beyond me though. I just wondered if you guys knew of anyone just to see if there are people out there?

Not that I'm looking now, just for future reference!

Maybe you could contact the local deaf club in your area to advertise?

I am currently doing BSL level 1 as dd uses signing to communicate.I am enjoying the course

When I was looking I saw a family with a deaf child looking for a nanny! I think there are also specialist agencies for families with children with special needs etc!

I can't find the deaf club, that's my main problem for self teaching I started BSL level 1 but then left essex, when I came here I contacted the college and asked to join the course a month late and they refused =[ I'd finished unit 1 but they wouldn't let me join even though they had spaces! gr

A specialist agency sounds like a good idea, I didn't even think of that!

Many families with babies who are not deaf like people to sign with their babies, so they can communicate before they can speak properly.

There is a course that you can do at home which focuses on sign language for babies and children. Its called signs for success if you do a search engine on the internet you will come across it. It was formulated bt a lady called Kathy who having 2 deaf children of her own found that there was a demand within childcare to be able to learn and teach the children basic signs. Anyway it is a basic course but very helpful with great ideas on how to involve the children becuase it comes with several dvds you can learn a couple of signs a day when you have the time and youll be surprised just how quick you pick them up. At the same time you could do something more intensive.

Thank you! Sorry I didn't reply sooner, went to see OH for the weekend and didn't come online much!

I can't do any courses yet in it so I'll be self teaching, I won't be able to do an official course until I settle in one place for more than a few months unfortunately.

I've looked into baby signing but I still want to do it properly too. I'll look up that course though! =]

Hi PixiNanny...........Can i suggest you join the ParentPlace site on the National Deaf Childrens Society? My ds is deaf and I go on there a lot. Also The Forest Bookshop is excellent for signing material!!