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Original poster

Baby Sign Language - which type? ASL/BSL/Makaton?

18 replies

GeorginaA · 26/09/2004 09:46

Apologies if this is in the wrong place - but it's sort of a second language, isn't it?!

Ds2 is now 4 months old and gradually becoming more expressive. I'm seriously considering introducing sign language of some sort as an aid to communication although I realise it's likely to be a few months yet before he'd be able to respond in kind.

I'm having a look around, but I'm getting a bit confused by the different types. Most on Amazon seem to be based on American Sign Language rather than British Sign Language. I'm not really intending to use it beyond the baby years, so I'm assuming that's not crucial.

However, ds1 is hooked on Something Special on CBeebies, which I understand is Makaton so it would be nice to learn that to tie in as they get older. I can't seem to find any baby related Makaton learning things though?

I wondered if other mumsnetters have used sign language with their babies successfully, what type/book/video did you find easiest to follow & learn, did you find it improved your communication with your babies and would you use it again if you were to have another baby?

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woodstock · 26/09/2004 09:52

We used Baby Signs. I had thought that he would really catch on by 6 months as he is a very communicative child IYKWIM but really it took even a few months after. We started with the sign for drink and he picked up pretty quickly on that one. I'm still working on others but think it is a worthwhile goal. I have read that knowing how to sign greatly reduces some of the frustration in toddlers especially nearing the 2 year old stage and I'm all for that!

Ghosty · 26/09/2004 09:57

Hmm ...
I'd be interested in your answers here Georgina ...
I never did sign language with DS and tbh I don't think he would have needed it. He and I could communicate very well and he was quite a fluent talker by the age of 2 so we never had the frustrating toddler times that woodstock mentions. I kind of feel that signing would have got in the way of his speech had I tried it.
However, DD is different to DS and so I am open to finding out more about signing for babies ...

SoupDragon · 26/09/2004 10:10

Personally, I'd go for Makaton. DS1 and 2 learnt a few signs of this because one of DS1s friends was profoundly deaf. I liked the idea that it is actually a "proper" language IYSWIM. DS2 (then 18months) learnt biscuit, milk, please and thankyou - and this supplied all his most important toddler needs as far as he was concerned!.

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colinsmommy · 27/09/2004 05:14

I'm in America, so its ASL for me. Personally, I love signing, and think it would be beneficial no matter what method you choose. Colin knows mostly food related signs, and it seems that he learns to say the words he knows how to sign faster than the ones he doesnt. More was his first sign, which he's been doing for about 3 & 1/2 mo (he's 13 mo) and having him sign that is much more pleasant than having him throw a fit to get more food. Most of us in the babygroup use it, and we all are happy we started teaching them how to sign.

geekgrrl · 27/09/2004 07:20

another vote for Makaton which we use with our dd with SN. It's derived from BSL and used widely and there are plenty of resources - best of all the Dave Benson Phillips nursery rhymes video - good for parents, too.

anorak · 27/09/2004 08:33

At our meet-up last Thursday there was an interesting conversation going on between melsy and muddaofsuburbia (who both try to use signing at home even though their kids don't need it, they just like the idea of it as a useful second language) and Christie who uses it all day in school where she teaches kids with SN. I am sure they would have useful experiences to relate.

fio2 · 27/09/2004 08:38

We use Makaton for obvious reasons!

Christie · 27/09/2004 20:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

beansprout · 29/09/2004 09:31

Am really interested in doing this so thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread

Original poster

GeorginaA · 29/09/2004 09:36

Yes, thank you from me too! Of course, I still haven't made up my mind which type sigh...

... I hereby rename myself "oh dithery one".

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Original poster

GeorginaA · 08/10/2004 08:36

Just wanted to update you all. I received Baby Signs in the post yesterday morning.

I was veering towards Makaton, but it did look expensive and I was a little concerned it's not really geared for babies and was quite impressed that Baby Signs has chosen signs suitable for little hands to form. Plus much cheaper for me to dip into and see if we get on with it. Although it would be nice if it was a language he could "keep" as he got older, my primary goal was just to aid communication pre-speech so I think it's a fair compromise.

I will let you know how we get on

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sleeplessmumof2 · 08/10/2004 23:08

hi all, we did babysign with our now 4.5 year old because we liked the idea of it. We now have an 8 week old baby and will definetly be doing it again. IMO it totally aides close close bonding as you are need to make more close eye to eye and tactile contact all the time and without a doubt it is incredibly rewarding when they are able to communicate needs like, milk, water, more etc before they are able to speak. Also as they get older it is easier and perhaps kinder to reprimand in public by privately using sign language i will still occassionally cough to get my sons attention and sign to him no! and equally i will tell him good boy! or he will sign to me please! it is like a secret little communication language we have going and at 4.5 he loves it and cant wait to teach our little one.

Equally his half brother and sister loved it too!!! So im a great fan and really recommend it

Sibongile · 09/10/2004 10:23

Hi Georgina,

We are using baby signs with dd who is 12 months, and it's working really well. We have been doing the signs for several months, but she's only really cottoned on to them since about a month ago, and in the last 2 weeks she has been learning new signs incredibly quickly - so it just happens when they are ready for it, I guess. We have adapted some of the signs, using signs that she can make for useful words rather than strictly sticking to the signs in the book. When you read the book you'll see that the basic message is: 'Baby signs are great, you can just make up your own if you want to!' So if it's only a way for you to communicate with your baby, it doesn't really matter what the sign is, as long as the two of you are agreed on its meaning.

:-)

lunavix · 11/10/2004 20:03

GeorginaA - you are doing baby signs now? are you using the book? I'm a bit nervous about following a book, I'd rather have a video to help too. I'm really keen to get ds started...

Original poster

GeorginaA · 11/10/2004 20:07

I'm waiting a bit until 6 months ish I think, having read it in more depth. There's a section which describes readiness for introducing signs in there and I don't think ds2 is quite there yet. Holding myself back, basically

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lunavix · 11/10/2004 20:09

do you feel 6 months is the right time? ds is 6 months on friday, i was thinking of going to the signing classes, as we've just moved and i know noone, but i can't find any locally at all.

Original poster

GeorginaA · 11/10/2004 20:14

I haven't got the book to hand it's upstairs (and kids sleeping peacefully, so daren't creep up there quite yet ) but it basically said that 6 months is realistically probably the earliest and there was 3 or so signs that they might be ready. However, they do stress that there's no harm done if you start earlier than that, it'll just be a longer wait for you before they start communicating back.

BTW, I wouldn't worry too much about needing to see the exact sign unless you want to go for something they will use as they get older too. The philosophy in the Baby Signs book is very much use what works for you (even if that means making up your own sign for a word which is easier to copy/makes more sense for your baby) - so getting it "exact" isn't essential by a long shot.

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mar75 · 17/10/2004 16:40

Hiya, glad you are so enthusiastic about babysigning. I've been signing with my 2 and a half yr old dd since she was 7 mnths and it really is a life-changing experience. It's so rewarding I got hooked and now I teach it!
Between 6 and 8 months something in a babies brain 'clicks' and they become able to remember a word and gesture which is really the thing that enables them to 'learn' the signs.
I teach in Bristol and can recommend the video from Sing and Sign as being really helpful, thats what we started with and it has lots of songs you can use throughout the day. It really has enhanced my relationship with my dd and shown me how her world looks! Good luck.. if you want any advice etc ..I'd be pleased to help.. M

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