Your Starting Signs
Most parents (and child care educators as well as nannies) begin with
signs that are based on their baby’s needs, such as the signs for: milk, eat,
more, sleep, diaper change, etc. Some parents and caregivers start signing with
their baby with signs that represent items that interest their baby like “cat”
or “light”. Still others begin with the basics like teaching the signs for “mommy”
and “daddy”. One grandmother I met told me she was only going to use the sign “grandma”
with her granddaughter!
What signs you choose to start with when you are signing with your baby
is completely up to you. I do suggest that you begin with a few signs that
represent both “motivating items” as well as “frequently occurring activities”.
Maybe start with motivating signs, such as "milk", “dog”, “fan” and “more”
and add signs for activities that you do each and every day with baby, for
example, “sleep”, “eat”, “change”, “bath”
and “play”.
I've got my list of signs to start with….now what?
It's always best to try
to use the sign, while saying the word, before, during and after an activity
every time you do that activity. For example, when using the sign for “milk”….
- BEFORE: Say the word and show the sign for “milk” right before it’s time to give your baby milk.
- DURING: Then once your baby is nursing or getting a bottle, say the word and show the sign while they are drinking. Do this a few times during the activity and the association will come pretty quickly to your baby.
- AFTER: when the activity is finished, this is a great time to show the sign for “milk” again and pair it with the sign for “finish”. Remember, always say the word when you sign it.
Start with a Few Signs and Be Consistent
As with any parenting
strategy that you’ll use, being consistent is most important. Try and remember to use the starting
signs you’ve chosen each and every time they can be shown based on your daily
activities. Consistency is very important but don’t be too hard on yourself.
This is a time that you are learning new skills, new routines. You may be feeling very anxious and you are most likely feeling tired…very tired. Remember that no one is perfect. Just remember to sign as much as you can…using the list of signs that you've chosen for your baby and to be as consistent as you can.
@WeeHands just be consistent she will get it
— Kirsten Payne (@PayneKpayne3876) June 16, 2015
This is a time that you are learning new skills, new routines. You may be feeling very anxious and you are most likely feeling tired…very tired. Remember that no one is perfect. Just remember to sign as much as you can…using the list of signs that you've chosen for your baby and to be as consistent as you can.
How Will I Know If He Is Understanding Me?
You've got your list of
starting signs. You are showing these signs to your baby before, during and
after activities related to these signs as consistently as you can. How can you
tell if your child is understanding what you are doing?
Most babies will sign
back to you between 9 and 11 months of age, but even before then, he may
understand what you sign to him. Even if he doesn't sign back to you immediately,
after two to three weeks of signing to your baby he may just understand some of
what you sign and say to him. How can you tell? Watch his eyes – do they seem
to light up with excitement. Does he seem to kick his feet and move his hands
in anticipation? If the sign you are using is related to food, does he start
moving his tongue and his lips? Signs of understanding can be that simple…and
that exciting!
From Understanding to Using Signs
After understanding
comes expression. After your baby has learned to understand a few signs, you
may notice him signing back between 9 and 11 months of age, especially if you
have chosen a starting list of signs that are really motivating to your baby.
My son’s first sign was at 9 months of age. His second sign came along 3 weeks
later; his third sign came along 3 weeks after that. His fourth, fifth and
sixth signs came 2 weeks apart and there was about a week between his seventh,
eighth, ninth and tenth sign.
That’s roughly just over
4 months to learn 10 words – between the ages of 9 and 13 months of age. After his first 10 words his language learning
seem to explode! By the time he was 18 months of age he had a total of 20
spoken words and 60 (yes, sixty!) ASL signs that he would use to communicate
expressively!
So What Signs Will You Start With?
We’ve created an easy
getting started sign poster that you can use with your baby. Just subscribe to our e-newsletter to get your copy!
Since 2001, WeeHands has been an industry-leading children's sign language and language development program delivered through interactive, fun classes, as well as a line of tailored products. In 2014, WeeHands became part of Morneau Shepell’s Children's Support Solutions, an organization that provides health-centered and educational services to children with differences to help them reach their potential.
Since 2001, WeeHands has been an industry-leading children's sign language and language development program delivered through interactive, fun classes, as well as a line of tailored products. In 2014, WeeHands became part of Morneau Shepell’s Children's Support Solutions, an organization that provides health-centered and educational services to children with differences to help them reach their potential.
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