Age is NOT a Factor in Sign Language

Sign language is a communication tool that is not restricted to deaf individuals—it has such great benefits that using sign language can enhance your daily life. Whether you are 25 years old or 60 years old, it’s never too late to start using your hands to sign. Sign language can be taught to babies who are only a few months old or to your grandmother—there is no limit for learning sign language. Signing is especially useful in accelerating verbal communication, stimulating the brain, and decreasing frustration levels in babies and young children. But in order to start signing with your child, you have to take the initiative and decide to welcome sign language to your family. There are many available resources on the Internet that can help you (and maybe your grandmother) get started on signing today.

Sign language starts with you! Get your family hooked on signing and see what it can do for you!

Watch What You Say!

Babies pay attention and copy what their parents do, in more ways than one! Recent studies have found that 6-month-old babies pay attention to the lips of their parents—even going so far as to watch their mommy’s lips and attempt to form the same shape and sounds. Babies are extremely attentive to the lip movements of other people around them, which has implications for speech development in children.

Thinking about a baby saying “mama” or “dada” makes all of us feel a little warmer inside. Because babies are more likely to pay attention to develop verbal communication after watching the lip movements of adults around them, it is extremely important to engage your child in face-to-face interactions.

We are all very busy and each one of our days is filled with endless to-do lists, but it is imperative to remember to take time for the important things in our lives—the things that make us the happiest. So next time you want to play a baby DVD while you’re multitasking (sound familiar?!), remember to take a break after, and spend some quality one-on-one time with your child. Who know? Your little one could surprise you by saying something! 

Florida scientists discovered that starting around age 6 months, babies begin shifting from the intent eye gaze of early infancy to studying mouths when people talk to them. Slowly gibberish begins to turn into syllables — think repetitive “ba ba ba ba” — and eventually “mama” and “dada”. For more information about the study conducted, check out The Blaze!

How to Learn Effectively?

What is the most effective way that you learn? Is it by teaching your little one how to sign or by looking at videos teaching signing? Do you remember more if someone speaks to you for a few hours at a sign language conference or when your family discusses why it is important to have routines?
Being aware of how you and your baby prefer to learn new things can create a better learning experience for both of you. The pyramid shows the effectiveness of each method of learning. Most people aren't aware that the most effective way to learn is by teaching others. In order to teach others, you must first learn the material yourself and know enough about the topic to explain to another person. In order to sign   "Happy New Year," you must know each part of the phrase and know that you are able to put it all together to create a different meaning (a celebration of January 1st) than just "happy," "new," and "year" separately.

So make it your New Year's Resolution to teach your little one the signs that you know! Take the time to experiment with which method your child prefers, whether it is by teaching a sibling, discussing the sign, or by practicing the sign repeatedly. Some babies like learning from watching videos on SignShine's app while others prefer learning by demonstrating to their grandparents.

Which section of the learning pyramid you prefer?

etel 

Etel Leit, M.S.

Founder & Owner www.SignShine.com 

Publisher    www.BabySignShine.com

Celebrate through Song and Sign

A very beautiful song becomes even more beautiful with signs.

Happy New Year every one. For this year of the dragon 2012, may you be fearless and learn some thing new while being and becoming the number one you!

May we each celebrate our own individualities through song and sign.

My goal this new year is to learn a new song in a different language, along with the signs. I challenge you to take a fun journey with your child and learn the signs to your favorite song together this new year.

Take a look at this music video I enjoyed compiling together as different people around the world are seen expressing themselves as well as celebrating their individuality through song and sign!

Happy signing as our dear Etel would say, and happy singing this new year as well!

Song | Lyrics: Sekai Ni Hitotsu Dake No Hana
Band: SMAP
Subtitles: JE Mix Fansubs

Sign Language: The BEST Holiday Present

There are three reasons why sign language is one of the best gifts you can give to your child and to your family. First, introducing sign language to your baby will help stimulate his brain "muscles" and will lead to better intellectual performance later in life. As a parent, you know that it is important to give your child the necessary tools to succeed--why not begin now by letting him learn baby sign language? Second, sign language can allow for improved and clearer communication between family members. Your baby will feel like he can tell his mommy when he wants more milk and when he feels sad. Not only that, your baby can tell his older brother how much he loves him and even learn to read a book to him! Third, and most importantly, baby sign language decreases your child’s frustration and makes a happier baby. Baby sign language will allow you and your child to bond in a way that is beneficial to both—you will love seeing your child learn and your child will love having all of your attention! Baby sign language is the solution that parents have been searching for!

Celebrating and Shining~

etel 

Process of Elimination

I think we have all experienced the process of elimination when communicating with our family and peers.

When it comes to children learning how to communicate with their words, process of elimination can become long and drawn out with tantrums in between. But with signing, the process can become not only faster but quite joyful.

Take for instance, my 18 month old. We were at a friend's house, and he came into the kitchen where both the other mom and I were standing. Wait, let's tell this story from my 18 month old's perspective:

"So, I was standing there clearly signing 'cheese' like my mom had taught me. She looked over at the other mom and kept talking about how cute I was signing 'train'. I thought for sure this was how to sign 'cheese' (put one pointer finger on top of the other and move them them back and forth).

I tried it again to no avail, so I began moving closer to the refridgerator and pointing to it. I don't know why my mom didn't get it. She then asked the other mom jokingly but seriously if there was a train in the fridge (remembering I was looking in there earlier). It was then that she put the two together. Good job mom. Under 45 seconds!"

So, yes, my son had to wait a little while, signing anxiously an approximation sign for 'cheese' that resembled train. These thoughts went through my head: was there a train toy he just played with, was there a train magnet on the fridge, was there literally a train in the fridge (yes, funny, but I thought maybe a train picture was on a container of some sort). I then realized that about 10 minutes earlier he was given string cheese and therefore wanted more. I opened the fridge, signed 'cheese' and told him good job over and over, smiling from ear to ear.

Our children learn the process of elimination too... adding more details to what they need or want and being patient in helping us learn what they need or want.

Enjoy the journey.

Written by Shawna Tran

iPad iPhone app by SignShine--- 17 moths old Stella Signs!

Here is another review on SignShine app--- I am so humbled with Stella and her signing.

Kristine, Stella's mom: "I know I already reviewed the SignShine app last month, but since purchasing additional songs, it has become one of her favorites, and I have an update to share. In the last few days, her signs have evolved to express emotions by using her facial expressions with her hands. (Note her furrowed brow and pouty lips for the “wha-wha-wha” part of the “Wheels on the Bus” song.) So cool!"

etel: "I am so humbled by you and your daughter's story. Seeing Stella signing with SignShine's app is just a dream come true! Before programming the app, I had the mental picture of a mom and a baby enjoying learning these songs together… and you simply brought it to life. I am so delighted to see that. You are a very special mom. You show the world that electronics are not just used as a 'babysitter' but that it is miraculous to enjoy, learn and communicate together with your baby".