Baby sign language...

[Jacaranda]

I was doing a search for baby food recipes a little while ago and came across a page that touts the benefits of teaching babies sign language. (http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/teaching-baby-to-sign.html) It is the standard American version. Has anyone here used sign language for their babies and how did it all work out if you did?

I would worry that they might not start vocalising when they're supposed to?

I can see the benefits I suppose but it makes me wonder how on earth our children turned out ok when they didn't learn to communicate before speaking. :scratch:

What do others think?

[TwoUp]

I haven't but one of my girlfriends did - both her boys could sign before they talked - they have found that these children usually are very clever - highly recommend it

[aussiechicka]

My sister in laws use it for their kids and it seems to work well. I've seen it now from when they are young through to learning to speak and have seen no problems with the transition from signing to vocalizing. They used it for the basics like please, thank you, more.

[Jacaranda]

I honestly hadn't even heard of it! I must have been living under a rock or something! lol

I guess I just thought everyone worked on instinct to know what's needed. :shrug:

[Lozzie]

My Aussie girlfriend here used it for her little boy and he definitely gets it, and is still using it now, while he builds his vocabulary. I think it worked especially well for the basic tasks of figuring out when he was hungry and getting him used to concept of manners.

[cooee cobber]

Chloe's speech therapist taught myself and Chloe sign-language when she was an infant.
Having Chloe sign to communicate stopped her from getting frustrated when she had a hard time communicating her needs verbally.

[Gazza63]

I learned some of the Aussie sign language watching my mum drive as a kid - you know the type - one arm out the window!

[Jacaranda]

I learned some of the Aussie sign language watching my mum drive as a kid - you know the type - one arm out the window!

Lol it's probably a good thing my mother didn't drive then! or I could have been all kinds of corrupted! :innocent:

[Cynless in Seattle]

We tried with Heidi but most of the time she just looked at us like we were crazy. She preferred pointing to tell us what she wanted. I have heard that baby sign language can cause speech delays but my guess is it depends on the child.

[RollyTG]

Our granddaughter was taught a few signs. The only one I ever saw her use was "more" - more food or more swinging usually. It certainly didn't stop her from talking.

[Leah]

My kids learned a little at daycare and it was really neat. One of my friends did a lot of signing with her baby and loved it. I'd have done more if I'd known how to.

[bellebird]

The Speech Therapist had us teach Harry some of the words from the Makaton Dictionary before he had his grommets and began to hear. I try to use some of them now with him because his speech is sometimes still garbled but he wont use them anymore.