People around us are often intrigue with the Angel’s signing and I have often been asked about it and why and how I started using it with the Angel.

How I started :

I first read about baby signing as a form of communication in a parenting book (can’t remember which one now but it isn’t a very newly published book). It depicts a few pictures of how we can start signing. I introduced this concept to a friend who later came back to tell me about Signing Time. Thanks, C.

I started signing briefly to the Angel when she was about nine month-old, and then for fun when she turned one. Not having ready access to any signing materials, I made up my own signs with the Angel. We signed words that we used/talked about, such as animal words like, ‘rabbit’, everyday words like ‘thank you’, ‘please’. Gradually, the Angel started making up signs herself! That really amazed me and I fell in love with the wondrous language of signing.

Here’s why I love it :

1) From personal experience, signing enhances speech. Signing and speaking at the same time help the mother to talk more. I do not think that signing delays speech. People who met the Angel when she was about 16 months felt that her speech was slow. Where we are, her speech input then was mainly mine and her papa’s. I probably did not speak to her like an ultimate talking machine. Anyway, she is the talking machine now.

2) When you first start, sign words that you often use. When an adult signs and speaks, the child makes use of her auditory and visual senses. It can help a child to listen and look, very powerful tools later on when the child can speak.

3) Signing helps with creativity. We create signs ourselves from young (still creating) because we want to sign words which we use. We brainstorm and talk about how we can create signs and have had many fun moments. Nowadays, the Angel makes up more signs for me.

4) Signing can be used even after the child can speak. The Angel is going to be three in July and we have only received the Signing Time DVDs in February. We are still signing now and enjoying it even more.

5) Signing helps with spelling. The Signing Time DVD teaches the alphabet and we use it to spell and sign words as the Angel is too young to write words. I love the use of visual and audio cues for spelling. I can forsee how this can help her later on in her phonics and spelling, making it fun and interactive.

6) You can use signs anytime, anywhere. On our trips, we played games, such as guessing each other’s signs (this game is even more fun to play with people who do not know any signs!), spelt words by signing and made up more signs! No need to lug any materials!

7) Signing is a language on its own and facilitate communication. When the Angel is in distressed, too upset to speak, with a mouthful of food, or cannot be understood by others (sometimes speech inaccuracy), she signs to communicate what she needs. It gives another avenue for communication. Can work as a secret code (among ourselves) and communication with the hearing impaired, too!

Signing Time is a wonderful and engaging way to teach your child signing. I personally enjoy Signing Time because it uses reinforcement to teach signs, by using children. It is thematic and relate to children’s experiences and everyday life (age appropriate). In fact, because the children (Alex and Leah) ‘grow with the signs’, your child will grow with them, too. That makes it very real. Not only so, Signing Time teaches manners and sharing, life skills, very often through songs. I admit, I love Signing Time and I’m all praise for it.

Fret not if you don’t have Signing Time (it is quite dear); make up your own signs or share with others who have. I’m willing to pass mine round (currently sharing with a boy whom I’m teaching).

I can’t think of any demerits to signing except expecting your child to sign as if it is another task that must be done or to show off to someone. Leave it if your child doesn’t feel up to it. It really should be an additional language that is fun.

Is there anyone out there using baby signs, too?

Categories: Parenting Tips