Signing Time
Posted on | August 16, 2010 | 10 Comments |
When I learn something or if I find something useful I feel the need to share and/or show somebody how to do it. When I am interested in something I research it to death. Hubby said it’s to the point of being overly overwhelming but he lets me be as long as he doesn’t have to hear every single detail or read a 100 page summary.
After I was pregnant with M I got a whiff of baby signing. I researched and researched, learn a few signs along the way, and concluded that it’s one of the best thing after diapers. Right now we’re focusing on signing with Jovie. Like most babies her age Jovie can’t speak (M was an exception, she babbled well and woke up talking one day at about 14.5-months). Jovie makes noises which some I can understand but for the most part she sounds like a little cave girl. The good news is that Jovie’s been really good about learning how to sign the last few days. Even though she got milk and change down the end of January it just recently clicked that all the different hand movements we’ve been doing mean something.
So here’s the educator in me sharing with you: If you’re expecting or have a little one I highly recommend teaching your baby how to sign. Research and personal experience have shown that signing does not slow speech development. M talked at 14-mo but she still signed until she was 18-mo because a few of her words I had a hard time understanding. M actually still signed a few words, “please” included, until she was three. She was a thumb sucker and she’d have her thumb in her mouth and politely ask for things with her other hand (cute at first but hubby and I decided that the thumb needed to be out of the mouth when asking for something). Jovie is much much happier now that she knows a few more words. When she wakes up she’ll ask for milk, then a change of diaper and then cereal. A few weeks ago she insisted on ice cream for breakfast. She’ll ask to go outside or to play. It’s wonderful!!
You don’t have to know American Sign Language. I didn’t. I just watched the videos, Signing Time or My Baby Can Talk, (this site has a wonderful video dictionary of different words) with M and we learned together. Plus it’s not like I was going to sign in full sentences. It was a word or two here and another one there. I did take a signing class just for fun last summer. It taught me a lot about ASL and and Signing Exact English (SEE) but that didn’t teach me a lot of new things in terms of baby signing. Do do do try this! So far Jovie knows: Milk, change, more, eat, cereal, outside, play, hot, cold (with “brrr” as the sound effect), sleep/night-night, ice cream, and potty. It’s a third less than what M knew but they’re better than nothing.
Here’s little Jovie showing off her teeth, cheesy smile and a few :
Page details:
Although the page might look complicated it actually wasn’t. It’s just the paper that’s busy. Then I added a bit here and there, mostly scraps, and came up with this piece. The left photo is of her saying “all-done“. The right is “more“. Both were not done correctly but that’s how Jovie signs.
This little corner was just layered with random bits of leftovers. They used to be a part of a Studio Calico kit (except for the flower and the doile) -- mostly Making Memories travel kit stuff. A little piece here a little there and voila.
I also want to show you this part. Just stickers here with the edges a bit curled or unglued. It wasn’t my idea. I guess cause the stickers are 2-3 years old the adhesive were non-existent. After I adhered the stickers started peeling off. I liked the peeled look and so I added more glue but just to half the side. This just gives the page a bit more 3D look.
That’s it! Oh, isn’t Jovie getting so big?!?! She’s looking more and more like her daddy… the prettier version.
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I love this layout and I love your article about Baby Signs and your real life sharing of baby signs :D.
Its not so popular yet here, some for the same reason or worry abt speech and signing. I would like to share your article link in my FB and to my friends.
Add a CommentThanks for sharing :).
*Thud* This page is amazing!! Has to be an all-time favorite! I love that soft blue color.
My niece signed too, I thought it was so cool!
Add a CommentCUTE! Jovie! at first i thought yer page said singer – err, but i started reading and realized it was signer :S hehe, luv the page and video! haven’t scrap booked in days, my printer has no ink, bummer. I really never thought about babies signing and it makes perfect sense… :D (will add more to this when/if i have a kiddo) the video of Jovie is adorable, hehe, she likes giving kisses …. does she still not let other people hold her?
Hugs
Add a CommentC
Love the cheesy smile! I have two girls too; a 5 yr old & a 3 yr old. Your video brought back a lot of memories! Both girls are very sweet.
Add a CommentWe did signing with my first daughter and it was so wonderful! I recommend it to everyone I know as well :)
Your page is beautiful!
Add a CommentAbsolutely amazing page and wonderful story! I sure wish I had tried it when mine were babies. It would be so gratifying to prompt a “Thank You” with a sign instead of a verbal suggestion. Jovie is adorable.
Add a CommentAaaaawwwwww! {I want ONE!} hee hee Soooooooooo cute! You and the wee-babe are darling! Golly, golly, golly GOSH, Savitri! What a wonderful, tactile, AMAZING share! You’re amazed at her “bigness” and I’m mourning the complete and utter loss of babies in my house! It NEVER ceases to amaze me, HOW FAST! Where, oh, WHERE DOES IT GO! Golly gosh! Your L/O will FOREVER capture that exquisite creature and so many milestones – oh, HEAVENS! How delicious! Thanks for the WONDERFUL share!
Add a CommentOH MY!! Jovie is soooo adorable!!! I love the signage idea! Thank you so much for sharing! I have to remember this when I have my own kid someday :)
Your layout is so interesting and so pretty!
Add a CommentJovie is a very intelligent that she can adapt to signage and I am sure it helps alot when she wanted to express herself. Gosh look at the layout, full of yummy ideas and those layering is such a delight to see :)
Add a CommentSo many little details… The die cuts, the doilie, the papers are all fabbie! Your daughters are going to love you for everything! :-)
Hugs,
Add a CommentSmita