Not only do I love the concept of teaching your child to sign, I love the fact that it allows me to get things done around the house. Kind of selfish, I know, but at least he is watching something that will hopefully benefit him. In short, a big benefit of teaching your baby sign language is that it allows your child to communicate long before he is verbally able. This creates less frustration for all!
One criticism of teaching sign language to your baby is that it delays their speech. As always, there is research out there for everything! Personally, in this case, I am willing to take my chances. And I am aware of the "con" so I will be sure to not only teach signing but incorporate plenty of verbal communication.
My husband and I find it quite amazing at how much Graham loves these videos. We put Graham in his exersaucer or his crib (yes, he has a t.v. in his room already and we actually contemplated mounting it so he could see better) and he stares at Rachel, Alex, and Leah as they sing and dance and sign. One great thing about the dvd's is that they have an automatic replay feature so if Momma is busy doing laundry or drying her hair and the show ends, it will start up again without having to press play. Genius! Thank you Signing Time!
Here are a few photos that we have taken of Graham while he enjoys his Signing Time!
Graham is not an expert signer yet. But we have noticed some hand movement. At the end of meal time when we ask if he is all done he will mimic us doing the sign for "all done". He is still learning that his hands can do different things. But I think it is just a matter of weeks before he begins to sign. That will be so exciting.
This is awesome! I don't know if you know this but I am a deaf education major and know sign language. I think it is an awesome choice to teach babies sign. They do express themselves sooner that they would verbally and honestly it is more about giving them language than the mode you choose (manual or verbal). Don't let those nay-sayers talk you out of it!
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