I started teaching my son sign language when he was about 9 months old. I read that you could start introducing them when babies turn 6 months old. I never really believed in it, but I wanted to try. I was a full time mom so I had a lot of time on my hands to teach him something.
Ive had a couple of people tell me that they aren't teaching their kids because they are babbling to much already or that it will effect their speech development. Actually my research tells me that it helps with their speech as they grow. Your enhancing not replacing the language. My son was babbling and talking a lot when he was 9 months old and I still taught him. It doesn't matter if they are talking a lot, you can still teach them and they'll still learn.
I first taught him simple ones like "more" and "eat". I stuck with those ones for about a month. Than I added in "bath", "done", "sleep" and "please". I wanted to stay small and not to over do it with his developing brain. He did have a helmet on for about 5 months so that kinda put a damper in his learning and me teaching. Nash had a hard time with "thank you" because it was the same hand signals as blowing kisses. When he would eat I would say more and sign it than give him another bite. Than when he would refuse his food I would say done than sign it. Also whenever I would give him something, give him a bath or when he gets hungry I would say it than sign it. I did this every time we did that activity. I loved the time we spent together with him learning and me teaching. For a 10 month old he was so into it. He was almost 11 months old when teaching died down. I was thinking " what am I doing? Im trying to teach a 10 month old to talk" so I stopped.
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| This is the chart I used. |
At 11 months old he would finish eating than do the sign for more. I was so surprised... I thought I was teaching him wrong. Turns out I wasn't, he got every single sign I was teaching him.
The communication with me and my son was amazing. I would know exactly what he wanted when he wanted it. I loved it!! He would throw less fits and the whining is dying down. He would just go right up to me and sign what he wanted. It really helped anyone who babysat him especially the daycare and my mother in law and mom. I had to tell them what meant what but it wasn't that hard to learn.
My son is now 2 and his vocabulary is amazing. He is still signing but he will say it while he signs it. When he wants something or his sippy filled up he'll just give it to me and say "more" and do the sign. When hes eating ill say are you done or do you want more. He'll do either sign and Ill know exactly what he wants and what to do to make him happy. Teaching him made it less frustrating to communicate with him. Especially now since he's 2 and hes just learning to talk. Its not just easy on me its easy on Nash. He hardly ever whines, and doesn't get mad and throw fits. ( he does throw tantrums if he wants something and he can't have it or when his tv show isnt on or when we make him come inside)
I absolutely loved teaching him. While I was teaching him, he was also teaching me. He was teaching me to be patient and the ability to be a teacher. It takes so much patience and time to teach a baby sign language. Although, once they get that in their brains they don't forget it. I also noticed that he listens a little better when I speak to him. When I call his name and tell him to do something he'll do it. For example Ill give him something and say "go throw it in the garbage please" he'll take it and do what I ask. I make sure I say please and thank you to him. He's at the point now when he sees something on the floor and picks it up. Ill say that's garbage and he'll know what to do.
This post is a little short and sweet. Mostly about how I taught my son and the benefits of teaching babies and what it does for them when they get older. I cannot believe how much Nash learns everyday. He loves to learn new things everyday and I love teaching him. I am still teaching him new ones, they will sign until they are at least 3 thats when they are more into talking.
I know that teaching him sign language was the right thing to do for my son.
I hope this post helps other moms who are teaching their kids sign language.
Put sand in first, put however much you want. Than fill the rest up with water than food dye. Add glitter and rest of items. 
