Signing with Babies
Why Do It?
•Children can learn to sign long before they have the ability to speak. Using
sign language with your baby can reduce frustration for both of you. Your
baby can tell you exactly what he wants!
•Children exposed to sign language early in life will not only find it easy to
learn ASL later, they will find it easier to learn ANY language later.
•Early exposure to language may increase I.Q., social skills, and create deeper
bonds between parent and child.
•Sign language is not only good for your baby, it’s fun! And it’s not just for
babies either – keep up the learning as your child begins to speak, and you
and your child can develop a second language together.
Tips for Signing with Your Baby
•Teach the signs for everyday objects and activities first. Use the objects to
reinforce the signs often, until your child begins to sign it back. Remember,
they can understand you before they sign it back, so keeping using it.
•If the child begins to sign back, reward him or her with lots of smiles and
hugs and kisses.
•Be consistent. Make sure you use the same sign each time for the same
object.
•Use your face. 80% of ASL is on your face and body, NOT your hands. The
sign “HAPPY” doesn’t mean “happy” unless you’re smiling!
•Accept your baby’s signing style. Babies won’t always make a sign correctly
the first time they sign it, just like they won't speak a word correctly the first
time they speak it. Keep signing it the correct way and your baby will soon
learn.
•Reinforce signs throughout the day to help you both remember them. You
can learn signs from books, though videos and live people are usually a lot
easier. See the other side of this sheet for great resources to help you both
learn.
•There are lots of places to sign! You can use sign language at home, in the
car, at the park, while reading stories. You can also make the signs in
different places to help your baby understand. Sometimes sign it on her, on
the book, or on yourself.
•When using signs with your baby, it’s a good idea to use American Sign
Language. There’s a big difference between American Sign Language, which
is a whole language, and Signed English, which is just a manual code to
represent English words. By using ASL, you’re giving your child (and
yourself) a chance to become bilingual!
Click here for recommended resources about signing with babies.
Why Do It?
•Children can learn to sign long before they have the ability to speak. Using
sign language with your baby can reduce frustration for both of you. Your
baby can tell you exactly what he wants!
•Children exposed to sign language early in life will not only find it easy to
learn ASL later, they will find it easier to learn ANY language later.
•Early exposure to language may increase I.Q., social skills, and create deeper
bonds between parent and child.
•Sign language is not only good for your baby, it’s fun! And it’s not just for
babies either – keep up the learning as your child begins to speak, and you
and your child can develop a second language together.
Tips for Signing with Your Baby
•Teach the signs for everyday objects and activities first. Use the objects to
reinforce the signs often, until your child begins to sign it back. Remember,
they can understand you before they sign it back, so keeping using it.
•If the child begins to sign back, reward him or her with lots of smiles and
hugs and kisses.
•Be consistent. Make sure you use the same sign each time for the same
object.
•Use your face. 80% of ASL is on your face and body, NOT your hands. The
sign “HAPPY” doesn’t mean “happy” unless you’re smiling!
•Accept your baby’s signing style. Babies won’t always make a sign correctly
the first time they sign it, just like they won't speak a word correctly the first
time they speak it. Keep signing it the correct way and your baby will soon
learn.
•Reinforce signs throughout the day to help you both remember them. You
can learn signs from books, though videos and live people are usually a lot
easier. See the other side of this sheet for great resources to help you both
learn.
•There are lots of places to sign! You can use sign language at home, in the
car, at the park, while reading stories. You can also make the signs in
different places to help your baby understand. Sometimes sign it on her, on
the book, or on yourself.
•When using signs with your baby, it’s a good idea to use American Sign
Language. There’s a big difference between American Sign Language, which
is a whole language, and Signed English, which is just a manual code to
represent English words. By using ASL, you’re giving your child (and
yourself) a chance to become bilingual!
Click here for recommended resources about signing with babies.
American Sign Language Services
from
Kathy MacMillan
ASL interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer, and signing storyteller
from
Kathy MacMillan
ASL interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer, and signing storyteller
| Stories By Hand: Programs for all ages |
| ASL Workshops: professional development |
| ASL Instruction |
| Publications |
| Resources |
Kathy MacMillan 7 Beth Court ~ Owings Mills MD 21117 443-739-0716 ~ info@kathymacmillan.com Page last updated 2/3/08 |
-Overview
-Program descriptions
-Collaborative Summer Reading
-Sign language birthday parties
-What others say
-Upcoming performances
-Book a program
-Upcoming classes
-Private tutoring
-Classes by request
-Overview
-Workshop descriptions
-Workshop participants say
-Book a workshop
-Books
-Articles
-Recommended ASL
resources
-Tips for working with an
interpreter
-Signing with babies
-How to communicate with
someone who is deaf
-Program descriptions
-Collaborative Summer Reading
-Sign language birthday parties
-What others say
-Upcoming performances
-Book a program
-Upcoming classes
-Private tutoring
-Classes by request
-Overview
-Workshop descriptions
-Workshop participants say
-Book a workshop
-Books
-Articles
-Recommended ASL
resources
-Tips for working with an
interpreter
-Signing with babies
-How to communicate with
someone who is deaf