How do you feel about baby sign?

G

goni10

New Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2011
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hi All!

In recent years the use of baby sign among hearing-only families has become quite popular, one might argue it's even become a fad of sorts.

I have heard a number of reasons for its use. Among these include, it's "cute", it enables communication prior to spoken language among hearing infants, and some speech language pathologists claim that it truly does help with spoken language acquisition.

From the Deaf/HOH end of things, I have heard some express that they feel it is an exploitation of their language (ASL).

I'm curious as to what the consensus is regarding this subject. What are your opinions or other thoughts/comments??


Angie
 
Hi Angie,

I am deaf in the right ear and HoH in the left. My son is learning from the baby signing time video's and was before I became a part of his life.

I have no problems with this, I look at it from the prospective that we teach ASL to High School students as a foreign language so whats wrong with starting them earlier?
 
I find it refreshing that people are learning. Is this ASL, or is it a family to baby sign language of its' own? It is great for a child to develop language skill.
 
I love it when ASL is properly used. Any means of opening communication at a younger age. But some of the baby sign things that are marketed out there use different signs, saying that the ASL one are "too complex". That I do not like.
 
Nothing is wrong with all babies learning ASL. The baby signs are a waste of time.
 
I think that language is a concept. The idea of reinforcing the hearing infants learning of oral language with manual language helps teach this concept. It promotes ASL, which is a plus for everyone. The world needs more exposure and open use of ASL.

Made up languages, such as baby talk and nonsense sign languages are a waste of time and effort. It takes much more time to relearn the proper usage. However, that being said, the baby talk and signing does promote language interaction, fun, and intimacy. Therefore, it should be up to the parent to decide whether to use made up language.

I do believe that many hearing kids will stop using sign language skills at an early point in their lives (and drop the baby talk too) but will carry the language skills they learned forever.
 
In my opinion, it is just a fad. However, it has brought with it important awareness that sign language exists and is a language. Yet, due to it being a fad, it has faults that can be detrimental to truly embracing sign language. If it is seen purely as a open door to understanding of the Deaf and Deaf Culture (which includes the recogition of a distinct language used by Deaf) then it has its place.

Signing Time is a good starting ground to introduce a love of sign language to children. It has helped my hearing children.
 
Valid point Beclak. I do agree that it may be a fad. This fad has had some unexpected benefits. Of course we knew these benefits, but others have learned as well.

It has proven that sign language promotes early language usage and comprehension.
Sign language does not deter speech (at least in hearing children learning sign).
It has brought sign language into many homes and promoted manual language and communication techniques.

Exposure is good. I wish there was more.
 
I have no problem with baby signing. My only problem is that only hearing babies allow to sign most of time and Deaf babies aren't allowed.
 
I believe it does babies wonderful in many ways. Learning to sign at a very early age promotes communication between babies and their parents, guardians, etc. and miminises frustration of getting their needs met. My son's hearing, but since I'm deaf, of course, I encourage him to learn ASL, that way he can tell me what he wants and needs. Not only for that, he can utilise it for amusement and imagination...and communicating with other people he meets. :)
 
I actually got my start in ASL through baby signs. My wife and I wanted to teach baby signs to my first son, but we were both so sleep deprived that we could never remember what sign we had made up for different things, so we got some ASL books as a reference. This eventually led us to the Signing Time DVD series. Then it so happened that my second son was born deaf, and my wife and I looked at each other and said, "Well, guess we'll continue learning sign language."
 
Back
Top