Baby Sign Language

[tt3]

It sounds like a fad, and thats what we thought too, but we tried it. I cannot say enough about it. Get a book and try it with your child. We started showing Tara a few signs at 8 months, and at around 9 or 10 months she was repeating one or two. As she gets older she learned more. Right now she has around 30 or 40, the first signs she learned are also now her first words. Mommy daddy puppy kitty and the like. It doesn't take a lot of effort on your part since you are only showing them a few at time and you are learning as they are. It just takes consistancy (what doesn't, raising a kid?).
The winner for us was having her be able to tell us what she wants instead of pointing and screaming. Water juice milk cookie/cracker etc are easy signs that go a long way.
I'd love to help anyone get started or point you in the right direction, and its never too late to start.
Cheers
t

[chefdave]

I'd love to learn!!! Got any suggestions for books to check out? I gotta get a library card in my neew town, so this would be the perfect reason.

[tt3]

This (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0966836707/qid=1089292201/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/103-2190752-9367853?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) is what we got, the tape is nice because it shows you how to make the signs ... though we only watched it once. A few months ago we got an ASL sign dictionary as well as our needs grow beyond what the book covers.
There are still a ton of times I'm happy we did this, she's got words for most of her signs, but it helps clear up when we don't quite understand her words ;)
Anything will work though, and your boy is 8 months right? He'll probably start showing signs in another month if you start now! I think Tara's firsts were "more" "o's" and "puppy" (we made that one up, its not ASL, but who cares, we understand it)
Best part is you only start with a few and go from there, so you both learn as you go!
good luck!

[Muz]

We picked up the Signing Time videos. Each one covers about 30 signs. We've only gone through tape 1 of 3 so far. Nathan seems to enjoy it, although he hasn't yet started using any of the signs. He's only been at it a couple of weeks, so we'll see....
You might see if your library carries them. We used our library to pre-screen these vids as well as Baby Einstein. We were so glab we didn't buy BE. It was like a bad acid trip. I could see college kids sitting around on Sat night getting high and watching BE.

This site has the best price I found on the Singning Times set:

http://www.mommysthinkin.com/baby_sign_language_signing_time.htm

[dabrewinguy]

Our 2nd daughter who is now 4 was born with Down's Syndrome, and as such she was behind a little bit developmentally. Not that she wasn't smart, she just couldn't physically do it. So in addition to speech therapy, we taught her to sign the simple words, like "more", "cookie", "juice" etc. That was 2 years ago, and she still uses them from time to time, even though she has since learned to talk. And we're doing the same with youngest who is a year and a half, and she uses signs as well as words now too. I was never exposed to it as a kid, but sure wish I had been. In this day and age where disabilities are no longer hidden or shunned, I think it's great for kids to grow up with an acceptance and understanding that there are many ways to communicate and overcome obstacles.

[tt3]

I wanted to bring this topic back to update it a bit. Tara still remembers a good number of her signs. Leah is now 8.5 months, and she has two signs down, book and o's. I want to let you guys know if you haven't tried this with your infant, I still can't say enough about it. I certainly don't sit and drill her with it or anything, just show her the sign before the object. We started with puppy (the one we made up) and went from there. She's not as interested in our dog as Tara was, so that one hasn't stuck yet.
Please, if you thought about it, try it, you'll be amazed!

[Muz]

I second it. Nathan is starting to get bored with the videos, but he probably knows about 30 signs. He can sign us (and is starting to say) his favorite foods. Banana (nana), Apple (aPULL), Cheese (eeeese), Cereal, Milk, Thirsty. It makes it so much easier when you are able to figure out what he really wants to eat on the first time. However you teach them, teach your kids a few basic signs. You'll both be happier for it.