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I think my sister-in-law just did sign associations with my niece (instead of getting a book), but it was really successful! She knew how to signal for different kinds of food/drink, how to say "all done", etc. Much more useful than a tantrum or throwing the bottle on the floor when she is done :-)
My DH was researching this months ago and found this website that may be a handy reference. I'm not sure if you prefer a book but the blog may be helpful too.
I didn't do this with my children (because I don't have any), but know quite a few examples where it has been really successful. My FI's cousin's child was diagnosed early on with autism, and they suggested they start doing more sign with him to help communicate (this was when he was around one and a half or 2). I know a little bit of sign language myself and plan on signing to my children. Also, children can sign earlier than they are physically able to speak, so it's only makes sense to do this.
I might also suggest that you get a few baby sign videos, since sign language is a 3 dimension and sometimes moving language. It's easier to learn the signs if you see a video than if you see a picture in a book. I also have seen some places that offer classes on basic sign for communicating with your baby.
Good luck!
We have a book called Signing Illustrated and we have a binder of handouts from a developmental preschool in Seattle... but frankly, when we want to learn a new word we usually go to one of the signing dictionaries on the web.
Oh and one of my friends is a certified sign language interpreter, so when I'm in a pinch or can't understand what the online video is showing me, I ask her.
So far we've learned milk, more, all done, worm, butterfly, ladybug, dragonfly, mama, papa, thank you, tree, baby and sleep. Our baby loves when we do them, but she doesn't really sign yet :)
My parents did this with 2 of my younger brothers and it was great! Simple stuff like please and thank-you, all done, thirsty, outside, etc.
It was also cute because sometimes they'd make up new signs and try to get us to understand them. My youngest brother had a sign for cookie that he came up with himself by making the sign and holding up his cookie. He used that one a lot!
There's a kit called Sign, Sign & Play that I use all the time (I'm a pediatric speech therapist), and DVDs called Signing Time/Baby Signing Time that most kids I know just love! Be warned - you won't be able to get the theme song out of your head!! Good luck! I'm so glad more peole are becoming receptive to this idea, because it really works!
There's a great show called Signing Time that used to run on PBS that is geared for young children (toddlerish age).
Our nanny knows American Sign Language, so she's been signing with Addie for the last few months. She also teaches my husband and I signs when we ask about them. So far we use a lot of animal signs (bear, dog, pig, frog, cow, horse, etc...), people signs (mommy, daddy, freind, etc...) and signs for things she's doing (eat, hungry, play, sleep, potty, etc...). She's not signing back yet, but she's very interested in them when we do it. We have the Baby Signing Time video, which is great, and we use this website for video demonstrations of signs.
Both my parents are deaf, actually, so I love seeing people doing things like this! Even if the point is only for them to be able to communicate before they can talk, I still think it's pretty neat :)
http://www.amazon.com/Sesame-Street-Sign-Language-Fun/dp/039484212X
The Sesame Street sign language book is what I had as a kid. My parents taught me, too, of course, so I picked it up as I was growing up simultaneously with English, but I do remember having that book (or maybe something very similar if it wasn't that exact book) to teach me some signs on my own when I was little!
I second the aslpro.com website that Mrs. Spring suggested. I teach an undergraduate ASL class at the university where I'm getting my master's, as my assistantship, and if there's any signs that I didn't learn or the sign in the book is different from how I learned it, that's always my go-to site!
+1 on Signing Time. . .
I think videos will be better (and more entertaining) to teach your child. . .I don't have kids yet, but when they arrive, I'll certainly teach them sign language :)
My sis bought those videos for my niece and we love them. . .check some samples here: http://www.youtube.com/signingtime
I've heard that sometimes the 'baby signs' taught are different then actual ASL. Anyone more familiar with both have feedback on this? Is 'baby signing time' teaching actual ASL?
THX!
The videos will be great because I'm working from home with him. It'll be nice to keep him entertained while I work once he's not napping so much!
I think usually people teach standard signs to babies but when the baby does learn to reciprocate its usually a modified version at first. We've been teaching our one year olds at work some basic signs like milk, drink, eat, more, please, thank you, mommy, daddy, and some of the animals. I'm really impressed with how quick they've picked it up and its making communication a lot easier for both them and us!
I love this thread. We are hoping to teach our little one signs, especially after seeing how successful it was with my nephew.
Some of the baby sign language products are not ASL signs; they've been modified for ease since babies/toddlers are not as coordinated as adults. The Signing Time videos linked above are ASL signs, though.
@Mrs. Spring: I watched several of those videos and absolutely fell in love with them! Kinda sad that even as an adult they thoroughly entertain me.
I love this idea and will defnitely be teaching my children to sign when I have them.
The only caution I have is that I had a friend whose first child got really adept at sign language and didn't start speaking until she was 3 or 4. Finally the pediatrician said that they had to stop responding to sign language because they needed to incentivize speech! (But obviously that's one crazy case -- all in all it seems like a great thing.)
Some babies who sign delay speech but typically when they do start speaking, they speak in full sentences vice a child who started speaking earlier but could only say one or two words. It hasn't been demonstrated to be detrimental to speech development, just delay it in some cases. :-)
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Anyone out there using baby signs? Are you following a book?
Since we are interested in teaching Warren sign language I figured a book about it would be something great for his Christmas list... but there are so many!
Would love suggestions! thx