Baby Signing: How to Talk with Your Baby in American Sign Language 
asked by tacos on November 6, 2006 11:18 PM
Babies usually start to talk around the age of two, but they can learn to communicate through sign language as early as six months. Using simple signs, babies canand love totell their parents how they feel and what they need. Rather than guessing what is in the mind of a fussy infant, parents could talk with their babies and discover when they are hungry, tired, ready to play, feeling unwell, or ready for a hug. Learning sign language also helps babies acquire the mental building blocks for speaking, and studies prove that babies who learn to sign are better at language than those who don't.
This new book from sign language teacher Andrea Fixell and musician Ted Stafford uses songs, games, photos, and easy-to-follow instructions to help parents teach basic American Sign Language to babies. The stand-up format makes it easy to learn and practice the simple hand gestures with your baby, helpful tips offer encouragement, and silly songs ensure you both have fun while learning.
Reviews
This is definitely the best book on this subject. Lots of fun for both parent and child and so easy to use. Love the stand-up format and the photos of signing children. Also the parent information and games for the adult to play with your child are very helpful. My 26 month old still uses the signs he learned when he was younger. Wish I lived in the NY area so I could attend the classes.
reviewed by porsche on November 25, 2006 3:38 PM
The best of the books on this subject that I have seen. So easy to use for the parent and fun for the child. The unique stand-up format lets you interact with your child with both hands. The photos of the babies and toddlers who are signing make it easy for you to see what a child is capable of. On the other side of the stand-up page is information for the parent and games for the adult to play with your child. I learned so much. Signing has become a family affair. Andrea and Ted's classes and concerts must be delight.
reviewed by faithfulone on November 25, 2006 4:24 PM
This is a really nice book of ASL signs for babies & children. The book opens up to a tri-fold tent-like design, so it can stand up & you can flip the pages. The pictures are clear & simple, somewhere in between black & white and full color.
My 3 year old loves the pictures of the kids! I love the explanations for the signs- they help to make the actions feel more logical to do.
Overall, this book is a big hit for us!
My 3 year old loves the pictures of the kids! I love the explanations for the signs- they help to make the actions feel more logical to do.
Overall, this book is a big hit for us!
reviewed by axelrose on November 27, 2006 10:46 PM
As the parent of three, I remember how frustrating it was to have a crying baby or toddler who couldn't fully communicate what he wanted. There were days when my baby would try to say a word or would simply point at a cabinet door behind which were a number of possible items he might want - but which one? Needless to say, there were moments when both of us felt frustrated and unhappy about our inability to understand one another. I thought there was no other choice. At the time, there wasn't.
But as soon as I opened this book on using sign language with babies, I realized the possibilities. Sign language....of course! It made immediate, intuitive sense.
Still, I was skeptical eonough that I enlisted the help of some "volunteers" (friends and their babies) to try out the signs shown in this book. WITHIN ONE HOUR, a fair number of babies in the 9-12 month range were using basic signing techniques (and one 7 month old was well on the way). It was truly amazing - and exciting - to watch! The parents were equally impressed and, of course, proud of their offspring.
If you think that sign language is more than just a clever "game" for parents and children, think again. Studies have shown that babies who learn to sign may have a head start on learning how to speak later on. Rather than slowing down speech development, signing is a way of enhancing communication before very toddlers are truly verbal. Tt lessens frustration and readies them for actual speech.
Signing is also a PERFECT way of communicating in a quiet setting (church, doctor's office waiting room, certain restaurants) and even babies and toddlers can learn that communicating quietly is far more effective and acceptable than grunting, crying, whining and pointing. In short, sign language not only works but has major advantages in specific settings.
This little book has many extras, including a wonderful stand-up format so that readers don't have to hold it in their hands and have both hands free to sign. This makes it easy to learn and practice the simple hand gestures. Ir is small enough to fit in a purse or small tote bag.
I love the fact that this book was written by an author who really knows her material, with a background in working with both deaf and hard of hearing children at private and public schools. She not only teaches ASL but she knows how to make it totally fun. The games are interesting for both parent and baby, making for a wonderful bonding experience.
But as soon as I opened this book on using sign language with babies, I realized the possibilities. Sign language....of course! It made immediate, intuitive sense.
Still, I was skeptical eonough that I enlisted the help of some "volunteers" (friends and their babies) to try out the signs shown in this book. WITHIN ONE HOUR, a fair number of babies in the 9-12 month range were using basic signing techniques (and one 7 month old was well on the way). It was truly amazing - and exciting - to watch! The parents were equally impressed and, of course, proud of their offspring.
If you think that sign language is more than just a clever "game" for parents and children, think again. Studies have shown that babies who learn to sign may have a head start on learning how to speak later on. Rather than slowing down speech development, signing is a way of enhancing communication before very toddlers are truly verbal. Tt lessens frustration and readies them for actual speech.
Signing is also a PERFECT way of communicating in a quiet setting (church, doctor's office waiting room, certain restaurants) and even babies and toddlers can learn that communicating quietly is far more effective and acceptable than grunting, crying, whining and pointing. In short, sign language not only works but has major advantages in specific settings.
This little book has many extras, including a wonderful stand-up format so that readers don't have to hold it in their hands and have both hands free to sign. This makes it easy to learn and practice the simple hand gestures. Ir is small enough to fit in a purse or small tote bag.
I love the fact that this book was written by an author who really knows her material, with a background in working with both deaf and hard of hearing children at private and public schools. She not only teaches ASL but she knows how to make it totally fun. The games are interesting for both parent and baby, making for a wonderful bonding experience.
reviewed by tacos on November 29, 2006 7:13 AM
