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** As featured on CTV British Columbia! Read the article, or watch the video **
We're learning to sign!
| Did you know that
babies as young as 8 months old can start to communicate
using Sign Language? Using American Sign Language babies
can learn to communicate many of their basic needs and
consequently feel less frustrated. Research has indicated
that apart from learning a way to communicate before they
know verbal language, signing with babies enriches the
parent-child bond, increases interest in books and enhances
verbal language development.
My deaf step-sons who were diagnosed at 16 months old were exposed to Sign Language immediately and by the age of 2 were conversing in full sentences. Our hearing children both used Sign Language to communicate before they could talk. We have our daughter Claire on video signing "more", asking for more cake on her 1st birthday. Our son Marc used to sign "milk" every time he wanted his bottle. There were many times when having a sign to communicate what they wanted, we avoided a lot of tears.
Baby Sign classes run for 8 weeks and are 1 hour long. Apart from signs, songs and finger plays that you can share with your baby are incorporated into the class. The atmosphere is fun and informal and is a wonderful way to meet other parents who are also interested in teaching their baby to sign.
Here's some other great resources online:
www.cbc.ca/news/background/babysign/
www.Sign2me.com
www.signingstore.ca
Signing Time! Are premier videos that teach hearing babies and toddlers basic signs in ASL. Entertaining and educational at the same time.
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"I
took a signing class at Britannia about a year
ago, my son Liam was 2.5 months. I just wanted
to let you know that he is now signing about 20
signs and my consistency with doing the signs
has finally paid off. I am so grateful for your
guidance and energy in that class, I took another
class after, closer to my home but your class
was so much more appropriate in accommodating little
ones. I even still sing the songs you taught in
that class! It is so exciting to see him sign,
he is so much less frustrated because he can now
express himself.
"He has even made up his own signs for things,
like cat and more. So thank you for your wonderful
teaching ability, I learned so much and have continued
to apply what I learned more than a year later."
- Jennifer and Liam
* * *
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Thank you so much for a wonderful
signing experience. It's too bad that
we didn't get to take another signing
class with you due to the strike. We
are in the process of moving back to
Norway and will leave in about 5 weeks.
I just wanted to tell you that Sean is
finally signing. It happened when he
was about 13 months ie 2 months
ago....just as you said. I was getting
a little discouraged, but you were
right, something clicks at about 13
months. He signs: dog, cat, please,
milk, more, walk. It's wonderful to be
able to understand him through his
signing.
I've recommended you to several people
in my network here in Vancouver. I've
said, 'Go to Barb at
Roundhouse........' I'm just so glad I
took your class."
- Sean Kristoffer and Vivian (Wong)
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Conrad signing "more"
Liam signing "mouse"
Tyson signs "I
Love You"
Pearce signs "juice"
Liam signing "run"
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Copyright © 2004 -
Barbara Desmarais
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