Your Signing Stories.....
The winner of our Signing Stories
competition is little Babysigners star
Joseph Tildesley-Devine!
Joseph signing Pig! We hope that you have lots of fun with your Relax Kids ‘Shining Star’ CD.
Signing Diaries.....
Karen tells us more about their signing journey........
We started Baby Signing with Joseph when he was about 6 months old. Our Sure Start link worker had mentioned it on her earlier visits and to be honest I hadn’t really heard that much about it. We have an older child, now aged 6 and I can remember his frustration when he knew what he wanted but couldn’t tell us, so I thought I’d give it a go!
The first week was very strange, in a good way though! I thought ‘He’s never going to be able to do that, he’s a baby’ but within 2-3 weeks he did his first sign “milk!”
Our family loved it and we were soon signing for all the basics to help Joseph on his way. To start we concentrated on milk, food and bed but use other signs in songs etc and before long he was joining in!
Now, aged 15 months we can hold conversations with him. He knows some different types of food, animals, colours, family members, please & thank you and best of all he tells us he’s had ‘enough’ signing and wants to go to bed!
We have noticed also how it is bringing his speech on too. We had his Health visitor check the other week and she was very impressed with his communication, both signing and verbal.
We would recommend this to anybody with new babies to enhance their learning and enjoyment because we have had so much fun, and will continue the fun for a long time!
A huge thank you to the Tildesley-Devine family for sharing their amazing story!
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lovely stories, pictures, diaries
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Brother
Sister
Our sincere thanks goes to Robin Mair, Babysigners’ Daddy to the gorgeous Austin and Elliot.
What made you decide to sign with your little ones?
We heard that twins can sometimes be slower at picking up new words and talking and wanted the signing to help. We also wanted our boys to have the opportunity to express themselves and what they might need!
How do you think it helps with overall communication in your family?
It helps us enormously. The signing can help us understand what the boys need more quickly and can save time and frustration at mealtimes. I think it helps them understand and feel more involved in daily activities like putting on shoes and getting ready to go out!
Do you have a favourite sign(s)?
No prizes for guessing that our favourite sign at the moment is 'more'!
Closely followed by 'shoes' i.e. it's time to go out!
So the question that we all want to know is do your twins sign the same or differently?
They couldn't be more different. Austin picked up the signing much more quickly and was using his hands almost straight away. He was very relaxed about it. We almost gave up with Elliot then signs started. When he knows he has been successful with a sign he claps, grins and shouts!
Just the practicalities of signing with twins must be a consideration? Do you have any tips for starting to sign with two babies at the same time?!
At home, we don't try and sign to Austin and Elliot at the same time unless we are doing rhymes or songs. Inevitably they get distracted by each other in classes. Even if they appear to be doing their 'own thing' it's amazing how much signing they still manage to take in.
Do you have wise words to encouragement you could pass on?
Be patient! I expected the boys to start signing overnight. It is amazing when they start to sign but even more amazing when they know you have understood! And about twins - everyone says it gets easier - it does!
I’d love to hear your signing stories, ideas and comments.....
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How long have you been with Babysigners and why did you join?
I started baby signing classes in September 2006. I used the Joseph Garcia sign with your baby with both my daughters and I was amazed at how both tantrums and frustration levels were reduced, mine and theirs!
What is your favourite thing about signing?
How much fun it is and the feedback I get from parents when their babies sign and the difference it can make to a family.
What is your favourite nursery rhyme?
Baa Baa black sheep
Real Christmas Tree or Artificial Christmas Tree?
Can’t beat the lovely pine smell of a real Christmas tree.
What do you like best about Winter?
The excitement on a child’s face when it snows.
Do you have any top signing tips for those families starting out?
Don’t give up. It can feel like a long time before your baby will show you some signs. Don’t forget to make it fun and give your baby the opportunity to ask for more tickles/hugs/raisins etc.
Click to see a super clip of ‘It is Snowing’ signed by Melissa’s lovely daughters Danica and Chloe!!
Sign of the Month....
It may be cold but Max is wrapped up warm and looks like he is enjoying himself in the snow.
Snow
Flutter your fingers and move your hands down in a slow zigzig motion
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Robin, Austin and Elliot Mair
Joseph signing Milk
Joseph signing Mummy
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