Terrie
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Baby Signing.
What is signing?
As a part of typical development before speech is well established, babies naturally use a combination of gestures and sounds to help their parents understand them. For example they may point, shake their heads, clap their hands and wave "bye-bye". Once your baby is doing this it is a good time to introduce some extra gestures to help your baby communicate. It's easy to do and your baby will really enjoy it! Why not try milk, more, change nappy, or tired? Baby signing is wonderfully rewarding and fantastic fun.
How to begin signing with your baby.
It is best to introduce one sign at a time, repeating the sign in a number of ways. ALWAYS say the word whilst signing, say the word slower than the rest of the sentance, emphasising it and signing it. i would introduce around 5 basic signs at first, repeating them often and slowely build up the vocab from there.
Basic Signs.
Milk - make your hand into an upright fist then open and close 2 times
Food - make a 'duck' shape with your fingers (like youre gonna do quack quack) then tap the side of your mouth 2 times
All gone - make both hands into upright fists and place together, then pull apart, opening as you go
More - make your hand into an upright fist then place your other hand flat on top
Bed/Tired - place your hands flat together then lift them to your head resting your head on them like you are sleeping.
Change Nappy - make both your hands into upright fists and place together, then rock them from side to side (this is the sign for change but is used for change nappy)
Nappy - using your middle and pointing fingers only on both hands hold out in front of you and point to the floor then make a folding gesture
these signs are your basic signs for newborn to 7months
after that you can start introducing new signing groups:
Food
Animals
Transport
Objects
People
Emotions *v important for tantrums!*
Instructions (wait, stop, no, sorry)
18 months plus
Linking words (and, soon, etc)
Colours
Potty Training
Alphabet
Fun ways to sign
nursery rhymes and song are a fab way to engage your child in signing. for instance Old Mcdonald had a farm... this song can include the signs:
newborn - 12mo:
cow - make two cow horns coming out your head
pig - make your hand into a fist shape and hold to your nose and twist
duck - 'duck' shape with hand open and close
sheep - make swirling motions on your cheeks with both your pointing fingers
dog - using your middle and pointing fingers only on both hands hold out in front of you and point to the floor.
cat - stroke both your cheeks with your pointing and middle fingers from your mouth to your ears.
then from 12mo:
farmer - make a pot belly gesture!
farm - with a flat hand make a circular motion to the side of your body
ok so thats just an example there are many other nursery rhymes and songs!
What are the benifets of signing?
will add more info after ive had my dinner!!!
What is signing?
As a part of typical development before speech is well established, babies naturally use a combination of gestures and sounds to help their parents understand them. For example they may point, shake their heads, clap their hands and wave "bye-bye". Once your baby is doing this it is a good time to introduce some extra gestures to help your baby communicate. It's easy to do and your baby will really enjoy it! Why not try milk, more, change nappy, or tired? Baby signing is wonderfully rewarding and fantastic fun.
How to begin signing with your baby.
It is best to introduce one sign at a time, repeating the sign in a number of ways. ALWAYS say the word whilst signing, say the word slower than the rest of the sentance, emphasising it and signing it. i would introduce around 5 basic signs at first, repeating them often and slowely build up the vocab from there.
Basic Signs.
Milk - make your hand into an upright fist then open and close 2 times
Food - make a 'duck' shape with your fingers (like youre gonna do quack quack) then tap the side of your mouth 2 times
All gone - make both hands into upright fists and place together, then pull apart, opening as you go
More - make your hand into an upright fist then place your other hand flat on top
Bed/Tired - place your hands flat together then lift them to your head resting your head on them like you are sleeping.
Change Nappy - make both your hands into upright fists and place together, then rock them from side to side (this is the sign for change but is used for change nappy)
Nappy - using your middle and pointing fingers only on both hands hold out in front of you and point to the floor then make a folding gesture
these signs are your basic signs for newborn to 7months
after that you can start introducing new signing groups:
Food
Animals
Transport
Objects
People
Emotions *v important for tantrums!*
Instructions (wait, stop, no, sorry)
18 months plus
Linking words (and, soon, etc)
Colours
Potty Training
Alphabet
Fun ways to sign
nursery rhymes and song are a fab way to engage your child in signing. for instance Old Mcdonald had a farm... this song can include the signs:
newborn - 12mo:
cow - make two cow horns coming out your head
pig - make your hand into a fist shape and hold to your nose and twist
duck - 'duck' shape with hand open and close
sheep - make swirling motions on your cheeks with both your pointing fingers
dog - using your middle and pointing fingers only on both hands hold out in front of you and point to the floor.
cat - stroke both your cheeks with your pointing and middle fingers from your mouth to your ears.
then from 12mo:
farmer - make a pot belly gesture!
farm - with a flat hand make a circular motion to the side of your body
ok so thats just an example there are many other nursery rhymes and songs!
What are the benifets of signing?
- Helping to understand your baby's needs, thoughts and ideas
- Reducing frustration (for baby and parent!)
- Enhancing early vocabulary and understanding
- Encouraging the development of speech
- Enriching your baby's relationships
- Building confidence and self-esteem
- Stimulating your baby's intellectual and emotional development
will add more info after ive had my dinner!!!
) but we do the same gestures for sleep and all gone xx
its fab!
But not Justin if that makes sence?!? but i like the message he puts across. Jacob watches it with wonder everytime its on. OH just takes the Pi$$ when i suggest baby signing classes. It will prove him really wrong if it helps his developement eh? xx
and more and more each day. It takes a while to get into using them everyday but once you do they soon pick it up. It took about 3/4 months before she started signing but now there is no stopping her 
