How I did it: I used the Dutch baby signing method babygebaren by Lissa Zeviar and just went with it. It first took some time and focus to get into it and to convince dear husband to come along for the ride, but when Torin started signing back I was over the moon. He is using some signs now that he is talking, and I am still signing with him even though I know he can understand me to further stimulate his language acquisition (visually). It is amazing to start looking into my boy's world of experience! His eyes light up when he throws his arm around to sign "peacock" and exclaims "pauw!" in Dutch.

Lessons & tips: Once you start, keep going. Do not think that because your baby doesn't sign the actual signs yet, he won't in the future. If you use signs that are of value to your child to communicate with you, he or she will eventually sign back. Do not overload your child with too many signs from the start, but always know and use a few more than your child uses to keep up interest and fun in learning. Always say the word while signing. You want your (hearing) child to learn how to speak, after all!  Create situations in which you can utilize signs you both know. Make eye contact with your child. Repeat and vary. Learn to read your child's signs, they won't come out perfectly, just like in speech, children sign at their motoric and cognitive level. Finally: HAVE FUN!

Resources: babygebaren.com
Meeting the author Lissa Zeviar by pure chance.
Lotte en Max book and DVD

Oct 22, 2010, 02:06PM PDT | 0 comments | 4 cheers