Baby Signing

[MrsR]

I did signing with DS but he never really seemed to take to it and is now completely vocal so we haven't signed with him in a long time. He's very forward with his speech and I've often wondered if the signing helped this despite him not seeming interested? I was a bit upset he didn't bother with it and if I ever have any more children I'd give it another go.

Im sure it helped him no end! A lot of people think that its 'not working' if baby doesnt sign back but most of the benefits come from them watching you sign. Be proud of how you helped your boy be so clever

Aww thank you xx

 

[beckyboo1]

Titch can you do a link to your page or pm me.... I might like to know if there's were DVDs available.....

 

[l_maclean]

What age should i start with Aaron titch?


Please excuse any typos from my fat fingers!
Tapatalk madness!

On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[FirstBabyEek]

Sorry to ask a daft question but could you make your own signs so long as you're consistent with them? Or is there some developmental benefit to using the standard set of signs? Xx

 

[titch]

No as long as you and the other people in your LOs life are consistent its fine. The signs have been adapted from BSL to make them easier for LOs to use considering their motor skills development. If your child will go to a nursery or childminder it would be easier if you could say "they use some makaton signs" than go through every sign you've made up.

With the programme I teach has online resources so you can print off a sheet of signs your LO uses to give to people. So in those ways its better to use a standardised system, but developmentally, there's nothing in it.

 

[FirstBabyEek]

No as long as you and the other people in your LOs life are consistent its fine. The signs have been adapted from BSL to make them easier for LOs to use considering their motor skills development. If your child will go to a nursery or childminder it would be easier if you could say "they use some makaton signs" than go through every sign you've made up.

With the programme I teach has online resources so you can print off a sheet of signs your LO uses to give to people. So in those ways its better to use a standardised system, but developmentally, there's nothing in it.

*slaps forehead* that makes perfect sense xx

 

[tweetyfoo]

How early is too early.

When I saw the development specialist when Aaron was only a few weeks old she told me to start using the "up" sign with him straight away.

I feel a bit daft as well he barely makes eye contact yet.

Obviously with Aaron there is a chance that he will rely on signing more depending on his speech development, so I want to start as soon as I can.

 

[Jazz]

I posted about signing to daughter, she doesn't sign back but today I signed to ask if she wanted to eat and she looked towards us and smiled and went to her high chair felt amazing we can finally see she understands even if she doesn't sign back

 

[Sassyjane]

How early is too early.

When I saw the development specialist when Aaron was only a few weeks old she told me to start using the "up" sign with him straight away.

I feel a bit daft as well he barely makes eye contact yet.

Obviously with Aaron there is a chance that he will rely on signing more depending on his speech development, so I want to start as soon as I can.

Tweety, you may find that Aaron uses peripheral vision..... I have worked with a few DS children who would not maintain any form of eye contact, but look peripherally at you.... Also the little boy who I work with is autistic and deaf and he definatly does!!!
Signing is a good way to encourage speech, also things like intensive interaction are fab too!!! I have a few kids who have spoken due to being taught sign first!!! X

 

[Squeakz]

can signing encourage children to not speak as why would they if they can communicate anyway?? sorry just interested.....do any signing pteachers teach bsl as opposed to makaton do you know or is that a personal decision based on individuals??

thanks x

 

[Hope81]

I think it's a stage of communication development, vocal communication is probably the immediate next one. Ofc I have no professional opinion but signs have always being used?
For example when you teach a baby to wave bye bye?? Isn't that sth similar? In Greece parents usually teaching the babies to mimic the holding bottle and drinking motion for the babies to communicate that they want a bottle.
that's how I see it at least.
I already teach different things to Amelie though is very very young like waving and clapping hands and the sign for up and down when I put her on her bed or lift her from her bed.

 

[Sassyjane]

can signing encourage children to not speak as why would they if they can communicate anyway?? sorry just interested.....do any signing pteachers teach bsl as opposed to makaton do you know or is that a personal decision based on individuals??

thanks x

In my experience all the children I have worked with have gone on to use some vocal communication, even if only a few words, signing is used as a back up, we always speak as well as sign, I even speak with the deaf child I work with so the other children know what I am saying too..... I am qualified in bsl, and I know my friend teaches bsl rather than makaton at her baby sign classes..... Not sure on other teachers though!

 

[tweetyfoo]

How early is too early.

When I saw the development specialist when Aaron was only a few weeks old she told me to start using the "up" sign with him straight away.

I feel a bit daft as well he barely makes eye contact yet.

Obviously with Aaron there is a chance that he will rely on signing more depending on his speech development, so I want to start as soon as I can.

Tweety, you may find that Aaron uses peripheral vision..... I have worked with a few DS children who would not maintain any form of eye contact, but look peripherally at you.... Also the little boy who I work with is autistic and deaf and he definatly does!!!
Signing is a good way to encourage speech, also things like intensive interaction are fab too!!! I have a few kids who have spoken due to being taught sign first!!! X

He does look up at me a lot, and follows me when I move. But he doesn't make eye contact on demand iykwim. He's very much his own person and does things in his own time

What is intensive interaction?

 

[Stunned]

Love this thread! Not teaching baby sign but actual bsl my my lo.

 

[Sassyjane]

We use intensive interaction alot at our school, it's a way of encouraging eye contact, and communication..... I will see if I can find the info for you Tweety, basically it's very child led, and we copy facial expressions, noises, movements etc that the child makes, when you first do it you feel like such an idiot, but it does help alot..... Leave it with me and I'll find the stuff out xx

 

[Sassyjane]

http://www.intensiveinteraction.co.uk/

That is the main intensive interaction website, I trained with Dave Hewitt who did alot of the foundation work on this, also if you search intensive interaction on YouTube, there are loads of videos showing how it is used, I think alot are with autistic children but it can be used with any child to encourage speech!

Next time I'm in work (I'm signed off sick) I will see if I can grab and copy the resource we have x

 

[tweetyfoo]

Thanks hun! x

 

[dyscochick]

titch - would love to know if you recommend any classes in Cardiff, you are a bit far for me to come! also a link to your website (or pm me) cos i'd love to start from the off with signing. xx

 

[daisyduke76]

titch - would love to know if you recommend any classes in Cardiff, you are a bit far for me to come! also a link to your website (or pm me) cos i'd love to start from the off with signing. xx

Me too please! I'm in Windsor, thanks! xx

 

[titch]

can signing encourage children to not speak as why would they if they can communicate anyway?? sorry just interested.....do any signing pteachers teach bsl as opposed to makaton do you know or is that a personal decision based on individuals??

thanks x

no it doesnt stop them talking, the opposite in fact, research has shown that baby signers talk in sentences sooner than non-signers.

People will always communicate in whatever way is easier for them and most efficient. This is usually speech unless a child has a developmental problem.

I'll find my summary of the research and post it here. brb!