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  | Alanismum   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 14 January 2008
 Points: 122
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Topic: Baby sign language Posted: 23 March 2008 at 11:56am
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   Our parents centre is offering a course in baby sign language. Apparently your baby can tell you what she wants by signing. It sounds interesting.
Anybody been to a baby sign language seminar?
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  | Kellz   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: Gisborne
 Points: 7186
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 23 March 2008 at 12:12pm | 
 
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   Yep I have been to a seminar.
We didnt start teaching Isla the signs until she was about 12 months old. Started with animal signs- fish, elephant, bee,...she picked them up really quickly and loves learning more.
 We arent hard out using them, but once she gets the hang of one, we introduce another. The bottle sign has been useful too. It definalty reduces her and our frustartion when trying to know what she wants!
 I would recommend it!
 
 
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  | ElfsMum   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 04 June 2007
 Location: Christchurch
 Points: 11702
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 23 March 2008 at 12:51pm | 
 
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   i used to work with a special needs boy who used it..was fab as he couldnt really speak and it helped both of us a  lot..i will be teaching Ethan..must look into where i can go to a course.. 
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     Mum to two amazing boys!
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  | miss   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: New Zealand
 Points: 2547
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 23 March 2008 at 2:37pm | 
 
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   I use the sign for milk, but that is about it.  Lily seems to be recognising it already so it will be interested to see what happens in terms of her using ti too.
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  | DJ   Senior Member
 
   
 
 Joined: 11 March 2007
 Location: Wellington
 Points: 3153
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 23 March 2008 at 4:45pm | 
 
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   My best friend used it and thought it saved heaps of tantrums because her DD could tell her what she wanted before she could talk.
 Was very cute to watch her signing "more please" while on the swing.
 
 The signing hasn't delayed her speach at all.
 
 I am keen to do it, and have tried to find a class locally, but have had no luck so far.
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  | Kellz   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: Gisborne
 Points: 7186
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 23 March 2008 at 7:18pm | 
 
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   I think its important to do a course,..they teach u all the rules, like always saying the word along with the sign, so the signs are no replacing words, but enhancing them! Its been showen to actually encourage speech development, and not delay it at all! Kids that have learnt to express themselves with signing, pick up the concept of lauguage quicker too!
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  | thunderwolves   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Points: 598
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 23 March 2008 at 7:28pm | 
 
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   I have signed with Ethan since he was about 4 months, never did a course in baby sign but had 3 years of special needs teacher aiding behind me. I thought it was awesome, he could sign sleep, drink, and food from a very early age and continues to sign now at 17 months. He tends to make up signs now if he wants to say something and doesnt have the language, but he sticks with them, and the word usually follows very soon after. | 
 
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  | Kellz   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: Gisborne
 Points: 7186
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 23 March 2008 at 7:33pm | 
 
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|  thunderwolves wrote: 
 
 He tends to make up signs now if he wants to say something and doesnt have the language, but he sticks with them, and the word usually follows very soon after. | 
 Lol, we have some odd made up signs too Natalie! 
 I love Isla doing the sign for flower,..u hold your clasped hand up to your nose and sniff like you are holding a flower and smelling it,..she looks sooo funny! 
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  | yummymummy   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: Auckland
 Points: 2161
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 24 March 2008 at 2:43am | 
 
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   We have the Baby Eunstein sign language DVD but haven't really watched it enough for Gina to pick up the signs - it looks sooooo cool though     I'd say go for it if you can find a good class
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  | Bizzy   Senior Member
 
   
 
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: New Zealand
 Points: 10974
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 24 March 2008 at 9:18am | 
 
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   i think there are quite a few books on it too...  sounds like an awesome idea.
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  | sunnyhoney   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 06 February 2007
 Location: Mt Roskill
 Points: 1824
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 24 March 2008 at 4:55pm | 
 
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   I'm going to a class this week on it and can't wait to start with Joy!!
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     Mum to:
Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz
 Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz
 
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  | Kellz   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: Gisborne
 Points: 7186
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 02 April 2008 at 3:18pm | 
 
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   BUMP!
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  | kabe   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 11 February 2007
 Location: Northshore
 Points: 3069
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 02 April 2008 at 3:20pm | 
 
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   Whereabouts are classes being offered? Sounds interesting.
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  | MummyFreckle   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 08 February 2007
 Location: Auckland
 Points: 4120
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 02 April 2008 at 3:27pm | 
 
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   We are doing a workshop in someones home. We got a group of 6 couples together (from our AN group) that were all keen and the people that run it will do a workshop especially for you.  Check out http://www.baby-talk.co.nz/   | 
 
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  | arohanui   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 16 January 2007
 Location: Auckland
 Points: 4427
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 02 April 2008 at 3:28pm | 
 
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   The Parenting Place (Greenlane) has a seminar on it.  Next one is Mon 7 April    | 
 
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     Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and...   | 
 
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  | kabe   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 11 February 2007
 Location: Northshore
 Points: 3069
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 02 April 2008 at 4:04pm | 
 
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   Thanks guys, that's great!
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  | Snickerdoodle   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 15 May 2007
 Location: Sunny Tauranga
 Points: 2305
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 02 April 2008 at 5:17pm | 
 
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   Thanks for the bump Kellz    For you guys interested, there's a piece on Breakfast tomorrow morning on it.
 I'll be checking it out    | 
 
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  | sunnyhoney   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 06 February 2007
 Location: Mt Roskill
 Points: 1824
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 02 April 2008 at 11:01pm | 
 
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   I went to The Parenting Place one and recommend it to get you started.
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     Mum to:
Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz
 Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz
 
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  | Alanismum   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 14 January 2008
 Points: 122
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 03 April 2008 at 8:53am | 
 
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   After all your positive feedback I decided to go to the class. It was last night and I can only recommend it.
It's such a great concept that should enable our babies to communicate with us long before they can speak. I will certainly give it a go and try to teach Alani some signs.
 
 This is their website: www.baby-talk.co.nz
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  | Kellz   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: Gisborne
 Points: 7186
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 03 April 2008 at 11:59am | 
 
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   Thats who we did the course through too. We havent adopted it as full-on as the kids they use for examples in the course, but Isla does know quite a few signs, and it definatly helps. She is very keen to learn new things, and often points to new things until we tell her what they are and show her a sign for it and talk about whatever it is with her!
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