Who uses Baby Signing?

[LysnDan]

We are actually looking into this because Amelia was really premature and may have some speech delay.

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[luna moth]

We use Makaton. I did a course in Melbourne when I was working.

DD signs "help" all the time. When she's frustrated, she will put down what she's doing and sign "help" rather than scream, which is awesome. But on the cuter side, if I'm cooking or something, she will toddle up and offer to "help" Very sweet.

She can also sign the alphabet. Every letter is L.

There's a few other cute ones. The sign for "eat" goes further and further into her mouth depending how hungry she is. She has just about choked herself once or twice. "Duck" and "Butterfly" are favourites, we see them a lot.

[Arcadia]

Yes, although I make up my own signs! We have two key ones in our house. Booby and finished () and ds mastered those at about 10 months. I am interested in hearing from others too.

I know some people credit early speech to signs, but from my very small circle of friends who've used it I noticed a speech delay, because the kids were so good at signing why speak iykwim? But then again, once they started speaking it was mental lol.

[onthefly]

My DS could do around 70-odd signs by the time he was 15 months, but he didn't talk much till 20 months. He did acquire a small amount of language in the interim. He used a lot of signs because he couldn't talk yet, I don't think it delayed his speech. By 2 he was talking in 5-6 word sentences.

My DD seemed to pick up the signing quicker, but hasn't gotten as far with it. I think it's because she has started acquiring words much earlier than DS did, so doesn't need it as much. Plus she prefers emphasis over precision in communication.

[luna moth]

I know some people credit early speech to signs, but from my very small circle of friends who've used it I noticed a speech delay, because the kids were so good at signing why speak iykwim?

The evidence suggests otherwise. But my DD does do a lot of grunting and pointing or grunting and signing to get her way. She has about 20 words and notquite as many signs - not sure, I'm not great at counting signs. So I have wondreed if it's because she signs.

But honestly, I don't care. The "help" sign is such a tantrum saver that it's worth it!

[jackrose]

Arcadia, I can't believe you have a circle of friends who have used it! Small or not!! I don't know a single person who tried it. I would have loved to sign with other babies too!

Audax, I completely agree on the saving a tantrum. For me, that was the real bonus.

[Dansta]

last night i the first half of a KWS coarse if you google "sign bank" they have a whole range of signs - the women who took the corase said that baby sign is good - and being able to sign later on - be it at child care/kinder helps alot too as most early childhood carers learn a small amount of it.

But she also said it is a stepping stone in communication as well - for those who talk later it could be the first "a-ha" moment before speech happens, it can also help when it comes with kids with speech issues/commication issues to.