Baby sign language

[SassyLou]

I've been meaning to share some pictures of DD for days now, but couldn't do it from my sons tablet or my phone. This is the first chance I've had to go on the laptop!!! DD signing at around 16 months.

Signing "signing"



Signing "tree"



Sorry I don't know how to flip them the right way

But you get the idea

 

[FleurDeMai]

My mother taught baby sign language to my sister. It went so well that she was sad she couldn't turn back time and teach it to me and my brother too! Anna was (and still is now that she is 8) pretty impatient and she picked it up quickly as she clearly couldn't wait to be understood. She could say thank you, she could ask to be nursed, we knew when she was thirsty or hungry, if she was hurt, and probably more I forgot after all that time.
People were constantly asking my mother if she was worried it would delay the time Anna started to talk, but they really didn't have to worry. She started talking even sooner than the kids of these particular people.

 

[Trishg21]

I'm planning on doing it with my LO and I've researched it a bit and most say around 5 months is really when they can start understanding what they are seeing. They may not start signing back for quite a few months but they are learning

 

[AP]

There is a great few apps out there, a good one is simpily called Baby Sign and has videos of babies and toddlers signing too. Behind each word a woman signs it. ?(it's BSL, not Makaton)

Whatever you chose to use you must remember it's not the same for each format. Makaton is derived from BSL so those using BSL would understand what you are trying to get across in Makaton.

There's another called Signalong which is derived from Makaton. Less used however but some regions in the UK (like mine) reckoned it was cheaper for resources. It's not, and there's far less.

They all have similarities however, and if you are only intending to use it on babies all that matters is the communication between parent and caregiver as they won't continue to sign forever.

 

[Nicolalove353]

Thanks for the ideas!

I'm excited to try this! I can't wait for him to be older and able to start picking up the signs! It really is wonderful that a baby can have a way of telling you what' she/he wants. It is sad to see the frustration in babies before they can talk.

 

[Nicolalove353]

Such cute pics of your baby signing!