Sign Language

[Tw1nkle]

Hiya,
My DD watches 'Something Special' - the one with Mr Tumble, every day, and she absolutely loves it!!!
She's picking up all the signs really quickly (she's 2.4).
I'd really like her to continue learning sign language, as she seems to love it so much (if she changes her mind when she's older, then fair enough!).
So Mr Tumble does makaton (i think that's what it's called), which is different from British Sign Lanugage I think.
Should it be ok for me to keep with the makaton, or should I think about changing over to British Sign language?
Thanks!

Don't think it really matters at this stage which one she learns unless she has somebody close who uses a particular one. DD uses Makaton at Nursery as a couple of the children use it. If she likes Mr Tumble, I'd stick with that. You can get some good DVDs on Amazon or ebay.

Hi, we have used WOW first signing, which progresses from whole animal signs, to signing out individual letters my DDs love this!

Makaton is used to help communication with those with learning disabilities and is fairly limited, and is based on British Sign Language which obviously is a full language in it's own right. If you think she'd like to do it longer term, I would lean towards using the proper language -- though beginning with signs that aren't used in the show and showing her 'another sign' for the ones in the show at a later point (also fingerspelling alongside showing letters can be good fun for when she is a bit older).

British Sign has a great free section for basic signs and fingerspelling, as well as a lovely beginners programme that you may find useful now or when she is a bit older. You can also find practice groups across the country which can be good fun.