Baby Sign Language (BSL)

[Dr_Gonzo]

We've just had our first child and my wife and I are thinking of teaching him baby sign language as soon as possible. Has anyone else tried this? If so, are there any books, DVDs, or other resources that you'd recommened to help teach them?

Any stories of anyone else's experiences with baby sign language would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

The Doctor

[TristanGardner]

Our little girl is 2 in November. We didn't really plan on teaching her BSL but friends of ours were teaching it to their little girl of a similar age.

Tilly has picked up how to sign for please, more, bird, drink and food.

Sometimes it is really useful when she seems to be moaning for no reason, she'll make the sign for food or drink and we can sort it for her.

If / when we have another child I think I will learn it and teach them some more as I think we are sort of limited to who little we know. The more you know the more useful I can see it being.

Although I wouldn't be quite as into it as in Meet the Fookers or whatever that film was.

Tris

[SSC!]

My friend used to do this in Inverness and it was very popular, you might be able to find one local through here....

http://www.singandsign.com/

[Planet Claire]

SSC! said:

My friend used to do this in Inverness and it was very popular, you might be able to find one local through here....

http://www.singandsign.com/

Yes, lots of sing and sign type classes up and down the country, check out your local press and websites. A friend of mine used to run one of those classes in the link above once she had her own little girl. When I last met her the little girl was old enough to talk but was shy, but was quite happy signing to me instead (I've learn BSL so could understand her responses ).

[Tiggsy]

lol - the joys of the first child and time on your hands.

We look at something similar with our first - by the time we had number 4 I dont think we even bothered to name it until he was 1 or 2

[ehonda]

Tiggsy said:

by the time we had number 4 I dont think we even bothered to name it until he was 1 or 2

A friend of mine did it with her son, he was a very late talker. As far as scientific studies go that's about as bad as can be, but it put me off using it with our little one (an early talker).

Let's face it though, they're not going to say anything too fascinating at that age anyway, so if you enjoy it and you feel it helps you bond, where's the harm?

[Tiggsy]

ehonda said:

A friend of mine did it with her son, he was a very late talker. As far as scientific studies go that's about as bad as can be, but it put me off using it with our little one (an early talker).

Let's face it though, they're not going to say anything too fascinating at that age anyway, so if you enjoy it and you feel it helps you bond, where's the harm?

As Louis CK says about his kid saying they have something important to say "they have absolutely nothing to say to him that, if they didnt say it, would matter"