BabyQuestions101 Message Boards Forum: Baby Sign Language

wsantiano on "Catching on. . ."

wsantiano — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:07:18 +0000

I have read in a couple of places that you can start signing with your kids as soon as they start making steady eye contact, usually around 5 months. Most will catch on to the signs fairly quickly and will show excitement when you do the sign. It can take up to a couple of months before they start actually making the signs themselves. But no effort is in vain.
Our son started making the sign for a diaper change at 7-8 months. He is now 18 months and learns at least one new sign each week. Of course he has his favorites.
Videos help a lot, but most importantly is the repition and saying the word out loud with the sign, because if it is easier to say they will prefer just saying it.

littlekiddos on "Catching on. . ."

littlekiddos — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 06:37:52 +0000

Repetition, repetition, repetition. AND consistency. I think these are the two most important factors of getting those little minds to catch on at such a young age. But it is possible at this age. Keep it up, and in no time, she'll be a pro signer.

Also, with ours we would get her excited about the food, help her sign the sign, then coax her to sign it herself. I also would have her sign it before each spoonful, and follow that pattern for each bite. Within days, not weeks, she was making the sign on her own. Of course, it's different for each child, so don't give up if she's not interested right away.

momofmany on "Catching on. . ."

momofmany — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 05:11:04 +0000

I was wondering when children really catch on to sign language. I have started teaching my six month old "eat" but it doesn't seem to be registering at all what is going on. How frequently do I need to be signing in order for her to really catch on?