Pre-Signer

Before we speak, we babble...

Before we babble, we listen.

It is the same with babies who are learning to sign.  Before they make clear signs they will move their hands around in an attempt to sign.  Even before then they will react to other people signing.  A smile, a squeak, reaching for the signing hand... these are all reactions that my 5 month old has when she likes what we are signing.  Take a look...

I sign "milk" to ask if she wants some and in response she gets excited, reaches for my hand and puts my finger in her mouth to suck.  When she isn't hungry she'll either push the hand away or turn away.

The other day the 5 month old was on the floor making noises and movements which my husband didn't understand but 3 yr. old big brother knew what she wanted and was able to help by telling daddy that the baby wanted to be picked up.
Signing is a great way to help siblings communicate too!

Sign of the Week

This was one of me son's first signs and it looks like my daughter may be signing it soon too!
The Sign of the Week (for last week...) is dog.

Signing Pop Songs

Did you catch this in the news?
http://news.yahoo.com/video/entertainment-15749636/sign-language-opens-music-world-to-deaf-citizens-23928119
You can see Ally's youtube page here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/allyballybabe

Sign of the Week

"My Turn" is this week's Sign of the Week.
Don't miss "cry" which was the sign last week.

In The News...

Did you catch this on Christmas Eve?
It aired in the US on NBC...
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/40906933#40805882
While the classes seen here are not Baby Signing Time classes it is still the same idea... teaching ASL, a real language, to babies so that communication is smoother.
We are living proof that signing with babies works. :-)

グー・チョキー・パー

Here is a Japanese kids song which we have adapted for reviewing signs...

As you can see both kids love it!

The words are simple...

グー・チョキー・パー

グー・チョキー・パー

なにつくろ？

なにつくろ？

みぎては＿＿で

ひだりては＿＿で

＿＿（手話の名前）＿＿

2x gu-choki-pa (rock paper scissors)

2x nani tsukuro? (what can you make?)

migi te wa _(name shape)__ de  (right hand makes ___ shape)

hidari te wa __(name shape)__ de  (left hand makes ___ shape)

___(name of the sign)____