Kids Using Sign Language

[midaycare]

Two of my dck's - 1 that is 2 years old, and 1 that will be 2 soon signed up with me because I have a curriculum. Parents are freaking out because their little love's can't talk yet. Well ... they taught their kids sign language early on. Their kids are using sign language (and pretty well), so there is no need to talk.

Within 3 weeks I had the 2 year old talking & using sentences.

Within 3 days I had the younger one saying 9 words. Parents thought she was so behind and would never talk. But ... I just don't allow sign language with them. I tell them to use their words, and they do.

Anyone else have dck's that are using sign language & waiting to talk because of it? I'm not sure that's the reason, but I'm mostly convinced.

[itlw8]

no , in fact most of mine that sign are also ahead verbally. My guess is when they taught and use the sign they did not also use the spoken word at the same time.

I would not forget the sign I would teach it to all of the children It is a great skill to have. Just like a foreign language the early years is the best time to learn sign language.

[midaycare]

no , in fact most of mine that sign are also ahead verbally. My guess is when they taught and use the sign they did not also use the spoken word at the same time.

I would not forget the sign I would teach it to all of the children It is a great skill to have. Just like a foreign language the early years is the best time to learn sign language.

Very interesting. I know infant sign language is all the rage right now, I'm just not sure why. I do teach sign language, but only about 30 words, and the alphabet. And I have no infants, so just 18 months and up.

[KidGrind]

My DCKs that sign seem to pick up language Nascar fast once they start talking.

[jenboo]

The only way sign language could delay their verbal language is if the parent didn't say the verbal words while signing them and only talk in sign language to the children.
My guess is that the parents didn't make them talk verbally.

[midaycare]

Around here it seems like everyone wants to sign their child up for services by the age of 2 if their child isn't talking all day, every day. I'm not sure it's entirely unusual for kids to wait this long to talk ...

[NightOwl]

Children are expected to have 50 words and speak in 2 to 3 word sentences by age 2 to be developmentally on track.

[Meyou]

My DCK's that sign have all been early talkers usually with a few months of some hybrid sign/speech combination before they drop the signs altogether. I LOVE baby signs. I teach more, help, drink, please, thank you, hungry and a few others to all my new babies. It helps alot with the whining between 12 and 18 months. ALOT.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Reply from a HH person.....

I don't think sign language hurts language use in hearing children. I'm assuming the kids the OP is referring to aren't children of deaf parents.

As a member if the deaf/hh community, I support children learning ASL. "Baby Sign" is not ASL. It's more of a cute novelty that does help those who cannot physically speak yet communicate their needs. Once children can speak, they should stop using baby signs, in my opinion. Not because it impedes their use of speech, but because sign language is for the deaf and hard of hearing. I think it's as important as learning any other language, and using multiple languages is very good for brain development. But I do not like seeing hearing children who CAN SPEAK using signs. I don't know why i feel this way, and maybe I'm way out of line, but I think ASL should be taught and learned like any other language, as a serious endeavor, not a cute novelty, and baby signs should stop once words can be formed and used.

[KiddieCahoots]

no , in fact most of mine that sign are also ahead verbally. My guess is when they taught and use the sign they did not also use the spoken word at the same time.

........

Maybe the parents aren't very verbal either.

Children learn what they live.

Like others have said, my children learn their vocabulary very quickly, with the connection of ASL.

We use ASL a lot for the use of describing and showing of our emotions. It helps them socially and emotionally to develop and understand others feelings by using multi sensory to jog synapsis of the brain, helping to gently pull them out of their egocentric age level of thinking.

[NightOwl]

I don't think sign language hurts language use in hearing children. I'm assuming the kids the OP is referring to aren't children of deaf parents.

As a member if the deaf/hh community, I support children learning ASL. "Baby Sign" is not ASL. It's more of a cute novelty that does help those who cannot physically speak yet communicate their needs. Once children can speak, they should stop using baby signs, in my opinion. Not because it impedes their use of speech, but because sign language is for the deaf and hard of hearing. I think it's as important as learning any other language, and using multiple languages is very good for brain development. But I do not like seeing hearing children who CAN SPEAK using signs. I don't know why i feel this way, and maybe I'm way out of line, but I think ASL should be taught and learned like any other language, as a serious endeavor, not a cute novelty, and baby signs should stop once words can be formed and used.

My dd and I both want to learn asl but we have no idea how to go about it as we don't know anyone who is deaf/hh to teach us. How did you learn?

[craftymissbeth]

I'm deaf in one ear and beginning to notice a decline in hearing in the other. I would love to learn ASL just in case my hearing decides to go completely one day. I am an expert lip reader, but it's starting to be not enough... and I can't afford hearing aides.


Anyway, I taught one of my dcg's baby sign when she started here at 14 months. She really didn't talk at all or even seem to try at all... but right before she turned 2 it's like her vocab just exploded. She's a complete chatterbox now

[Sugar Magnolia]

My dd and I both want to learn asl but we have no idea how to go about it as we don't know anyone who is deaf/hh to teach us. How did you learn?

Like any language, immersion is the best way. I was taught by deaf people who I grew up with as a child, my deaf cousin, and by several deaf folks I worked with over the years. I'm also hard of hearing and my family uses it when they don't want to shout at me or i missed something. I rely mostly on lip reading, closed caption and text messages. I do have hearing aids now, but I don't use them very much because they can get overwhelming sometimes.

[NightOwl]

Hmmmmm. We don't know anyone who is deaf and can commit the kind of time needed for us to learn. I wonder if there are any programs out there that teach it?
So the baby signs are not ASL? I didn't realize that.

[AslansG1rl]

Hmmmmm. We don't know anyone who is deaf and can commit the kind of time needed for us to learn. I wonder if there are any programs out there that teach it?
So the baby signs are not ASL? I didn't realize that.

I have taken two years of ASL in college. You could actually probably start there. You might be able to find ASL classes in a local community college. You could also go to http://happy.deafcoffee.com and look for an event in your area.

American Sign Language is a LANGUAGE, and anyone interested has a right to learn and use it. There have been many different times where I was able to communicate with a Deaf person because I know how to sign.

Research has shown that babies who learn ASL tend to have HIGHER IQ's, less tantrums, and SPEAK SOONER.

The whole " If the kid signs they won't speak " myth is just that. It is untrue, and unfounded.

The kids I take care of , 18m, 6y, and 10y, all are learning ASL. They are really enjoying it too.

Baby signs are ASL songs that have been slightly modified in order for a baby to be physically capable of the needed motions.

A few more awesome helpful ASL websites include: aslpro.com, signingsavvy.com, asl.ms

Quick funny note: when I first explained what ASL is to the 10y boy, he was super excited and told me he wants to learn so he can talk to his friends in school and in church without getting in trouble. ::