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Original poster

The value of baby signing

33 replies

Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 07:53

Hi all,
I'm wondering whether any others are avid baby signers as we are? We used it when our 9 year old was a baby and she became very proficient. She's now very bright with an amazing vocabulary.
My 1 year old (just) is getting ever better at it and we now have "more", "finished", a few animal signs etc. She has now started signing "change my nappy" which is fantastic.
So, just wanted to hear your baby signing stories.

OP posts:

JiltedJohnsJulie · 16/08/2015 08:33

Same here sing. DS has just done his SATs and got 6s and 5as in everything not so stealth brag

Asleeponasunbeam · 16/08/2015 08:37

Mine aren't as old as that - 6&3 - but both did a lot of signing as babies. I sign as part of my work so it came naturally to me to sign with them. DD had over 200 signs at 15 months. Neither were early talkers, but both began using full sentences soon after starting to speak.

I also used only a parent facing pushchair and slings too. And read a lot of stories, and used a lot of 'baby talk'. Not as a 'parenting strategy', just the way I did things.

I loved the insight into their baby minds that signing gave.

Allstoppedup · 16/08/2015 08:41

I LOVE it. We started classes at about 5 month (just to get out of the house), not expecting much and it was amazing. My 19 month old is starting to talk now but we've been able to understand and communicate via signing since he started using it at around 9 months - the times it must have saved us from miscommunication frustration are innumerable!

Even now if he's upset/poorly he often will use a sign along side any words. I'm expecting my second in a few weeks and we will be signing from the start.

Obviously to early to know any long term effects but I'm so happy we did it as it was useful, funny and I think added a really lovely bonding opportunity throughout the whole family.

Original poster

Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 09:22

So lovely to read your comments. I genuinely think it's fantastic and that more health visitors etc should be recommending it. We haven't done an actual class this time round (did Sing and Sign last time) as we couldn't find one locally but have used the DVD and obviously have done it ourselves lots. The strange thing is that dd1 who was fabulous at it can't remember the signs at all now but has re-learnt them to teach her baby sister!

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Asleeponasunbeam · 16/08/2015 09:29

My dd couldn't remember any either, until reception when they used makaton in class. Interestingly, she stopped using each sign as soon as she could say the word.

Original poster

Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 09:32

I agree Asleep with what you said about the insight into a baby's mind. It really is lovely to be able to communicate with them and to know that they understand you. This morning my 1 year old has "read" a book to me, signing the pictures of animals that she saw. Just lovely.

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EmzDisco · 16/08/2015 09:36

My first baby is due in a few weeks and I'd love to do this with them. Benefits sound brilliant! Could any of you recommend any good books or DVDs I could get?

Original poster

Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 09:44

You can get Sing and Sign DVDs on their website. We love them- very child friendly and lovely songs. There are classes all over the country which are worth going to if you're new to it.

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TheBobbinIsWound · 16/08/2015 09:44

The sing and sign DVD is brilliant. Also includes a CD-ROM of a signing dictionary too which is pretty helpful.

Easiest way to learn are through the Sing and Sign classes however.

Original poster

Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 09:48

The classes, I should add, are baby groups- not classes for adults! My daughter used to love going.
There are other companies that do lessons etc as well though- we just used the Sing and Sign ones. 'Something Special' on cbeebies gives an idea although the signs are a little more complex as they're geared towards disabled children rather than babies- ie they are learning signs for life rather than temporary signs if that makes sense...

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 16/08/2015 09:51

I got the sing and sign dvd from eBay and a book from the library

Lovelise · 16/08/2015 09:55

I would recommend baby signing to anyone. It's worked very well for our family and everyone gets involved including grand parents!

DD (16 mths) tells us through SL if she's hungry, thirsty needs a nappy change etc.

It makes me laugh when she randomly does a dog sign for example. I think to myself, aw she's thinking about doggies!

TheBobbinIsWound · 16/08/2015 10:29

My favourite signing moment was
"Mouse" "mouse" "mouse"
(In a park... No mice)
Followed by "monkey" "monkey" "monkey"
Eh?

She'd seen a squirrel!!!

Original poster

Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 11:29

Ah! That's lovely. We've had times when a sign has popped up and we've thought what?? Then looked around and seen that there was indeed a cat/butterfly etc etc. Much better eyesight than her knackered parents.

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FlumptyDumpty · 16/08/2015 11:37

Ooh, excited about this! Will definitely be taking my new dd (6 weeks). I was thinking it would be something to start when she's a bit older, but I see my local branch have baby classes starting when she will be about 9 weeks old. They say the classes are aimed at 6 weeks plus. Has anyone done the baby classes? Are they worth it?

FrancesOldhamKelseyRIP · 16/08/2015 11:37

Just to offer an alternative view, whilst I'm sure baby signing is great for many babies, I gave it a miss because I could tell that my DC were on the verge of speaking orally at the time that I'd have started signing lessons, and it wouldn't have been worth the effort. So it's probably not the right choice for DC at the very top end of the language range.

FrancesOldhamKelseyRIP · 16/08/2015 11:39

(Although my post assumed starting at 6 months plus not 6 weeks - clearly you can't tell when your DC is going to start speaking at 6 weeks)

Original poster

Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 12:09

I would be surprised if many 6 month olds could communicate verbally to the extent that they can communicate through sign though?

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LongLankyLegs · 16/08/2015 12:30

Sorry to hijack the thread but I've taught my dd the sign for boobies and she's just started doing sleep today (although is a sleep refuser!)

What signs did people find helpful to teach their dc?

TIA

FrancesOldhamKelseyRIP · 16/08/2015 13:26

It would be a very rare six month old who could actually speak, but some will be audibly on the way there, and some won't. At the time when I was looking into this you'd be starting to teach signing at 6 months and they'd be signing for themselves at 8 months. If you're expecting them to start speaking orally at 11 months then that's a significant benefit, but if you're expecting them to speak orally at 9 months then you might decide it's not worth the effort.

AnneElliott · 16/08/2015 13:37

It was great for us but we use BSL at home ( although not exclusively) DS could communicate early and it didn't stop him speaking.

Original poster

Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 13:42

Signs and speech tend to go together for a while though. Signing doesn't stop speech, but it does aid communication and in my opinion helps to avoid toddler rage!

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TheBobbinIsWound · 16/08/2015 14:19

I really prefer the "key word signing" approach that Sing and Sign teach over BSL etc. One sign per sentence is plenty thank you!

Do you mean the "babes" course? There's lots in it on early communication and early signs with your baby. When they get older they "move up" into different classes too and you learn things that most children care about at that age. "Chance nappy" is BRILLIANT!

TheBobbinIsWound · 16/08/2015 14:20

*change

G1veMeStrength · 16/08/2015 14:23

Oh we loved sing and sign, I prob still have the DVD. My DC are not running the country yet but it was fun.

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