Does anyone use baby sign language?
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Anonymous
| If you do use baby sign language - where did you learn? My MB recently mentioned that she's like the baby to learn some baby sign language and I'd actually be interested in learning to do it as well. Can anyone suggest a program or course? |
Anonymous
| I do I learned it when I used to work in daycare |
Anonymous
| I learned it on my own. Just pick up some books from the library - for babies you really want to give them specific and useful words, ASL grammar isn't so important until later on and you can learn as you go for the first few months. Teach things like milk, more, all done, mom, dad, sleep, play, bath, dog or cat if there's a family pet...stuff that features predominantly in the baby's life and needs/wants s/he would be frustrated not to be able to communicate (e.g. "More milk"). |
Anonymous
| I learned on my own and also my MB bought a "baby signing time" DVD. My charges are currently 16 months (twins) and know a lot of signs now but I used to play the DVD for them while I was making lunch or needed 20 minutes to do something and they learned a lot from the DVD. |
Anonymous
|
I taught myself from a library book as well. You only need to learn about 20 to 50 signs to start and can teach them to your charge. My MB/DB won't allow their children to ever watch a video (or anything on a screen) so I couldn't use the DVDs.
Even after you teach yourself 100 signs or so, you can add Baby Sign Language to your resume! |
Anonymous
| Knowing baby sign language can be a real plus in your next job, OP. I'd find a class to take that offers a certificate that your employer will pay for so you'll have the documented skill in your next job search. |
Anonymous
|
You don't need a class or certificate. Do people ask for a certificate when you say you speak Spanish? No.
There are lots of videos on youtube. I also have this book: http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Sign-Language-Basics-Communication/dp/1401921590/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401034149&sr=1-1&keywords=baby+sign+language |
Anonymous
| We used yo watch the Signing Times DVDs. Did the kids end up fluent? No, but it helped with a lot of the basic words that were appropriate for their age and it helped them communicate what they needed. |
Anonymous
Thanks - I just followed you link and bought the book on Amazon (it comes with a DVD) and I'll check out youtube. |
Anonymous
You tube is great for watching the person do a particular sign if it's tricky. I should have clarified in my PP -- you won't become fluent in ASL by using the book/you tube, but it will be more than enough to teach signs to the children in your care. |
Anonymous
I understand, PP and, again, thank you. I think the book is a great place to start and learning 20 - 50 signs will be a great - I never expected to become fluent in ASL. Any problem I have, I'll first look to youtube. Thanks, again. |
Anonymous
I have just started looking into this myself and found this website. The "100 basic signs" would already give you everything you need with a baby (milk, water, bathroom, sleep etc.) but there's an ENTIRE program to learning ASL 
http://www.lifeprint.com/ |