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Old December 11th 07, 05:25 AM posted to misc.kids.moderated
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Default baby sign language and bilingual kids

On Dec 8, 8:18 pm, Karen wrote:


What are your opinions? Any language experts out there? Or can you point
me to a website, newsgroup or forum that could provide information on
this issue?


None of my kids used signs to communicate as babies (other than maybe
one or two). I tried with my third, but he wasn't interested. But,
what I've heard is that learning a "real" sign language is not optimal
for babies. It can be too complicated, and many of the signs require
more dexterity than a baby will have. Here in the US, there is a book
called Baby Signs that is quite popular. It presents a "language" of
signs based on American Sign Language, but which uses many simpler
signs for things that would be hard to sign in ASL, or for which the
sign might be non-intuitive (and thus harder for parents to
remember). The criteria for what make a "good" sign differ when the
goal is to be part of a full-time, life-long communication system,
versus something for babies to use to communicate before their speech
catches up with their expressive ability. (For example, a Kangaroo
sign made by bouncing the torso up and down probably wouldn't be a
great sign for an official sign language, but would be perfect for
toddlers who can't yet say "kangaroo")

I don't know if there are analogous systems based off of either the
German or English sign languages. But you might want to check out the
Baby Signs book anyhow for hints on how to teach it, and suggestions
as to how you might choose or invent the best signs for your child. I
wouldn't worry about her learning a real sign language unless you know
she will be in a childcare or school situation with deaf children
sometime soon.

Good Luck!
--Robyn