susi513
13-03-2008, 08:08 AM
Doing a Makaton course and its brilliant.
Last year I looked after a little lad who went to baby signing classes with his mum and they taught me some basic signs. Too young to express himself through speech but he could sign when he wanted his dummy or muslin. Which makes life much easier! Also, I reckon his speech development was pretty good - he was making all the right sounds eg "ta" for towel. Apparently some people have been worried using signs might delay speech development. But as you are speaking when you sign, I believe the opposite is happening - when you are signing you are speaking even more to the child, all the repetition is also helping them acquire speech.
This last month I've been working hard settling a 1 yr old who has never been left with anyone before. At the beginning she cried at the sight of me and couldn't bear me to pick her up or touch her even. I doubted we'd ever get beyond the settling in period. But she stops crying to watch me sign - she's fascinated by the hand movements and has some understanding of a few signs now. Which I think has helped tremendously - we've had our first tear-free day, hope its the first of many!
The preschool children are loving it too - it makes every song an action song!
Recommend going on a course if you get the chance. I've got various books, but had misinterpreted some of the signs - the pictures and explanations in books just aren't as clear as seeing someone demonstrate the sign properly.
Last year I looked after a little lad who went to baby signing classes with his mum and they taught me some basic signs. Too young to express himself through speech but he could sign when he wanted his dummy or muslin. Which makes life much easier! Also, I reckon his speech development was pretty good - he was making all the right sounds eg "ta" for towel. Apparently some people have been worried using signs might delay speech development. But as you are speaking when you sign, I believe the opposite is happening - when you are signing you are speaking even more to the child, all the repetition is also helping them acquire speech.
This last month I've been working hard settling a 1 yr old who has never been left with anyone before. At the beginning she cried at the sight of me and couldn't bear me to pick her up or touch her even. I doubted we'd ever get beyond the settling in period. But she stops crying to watch me sign - she's fascinated by the hand movements and has some understanding of a few signs now. Which I think has helped tremendously - we've had our first tear-free day, hope its the first of many!
The preschool children are loving it too - it makes every song an action song!
Recommend going on a course if you get the chance. I've got various books, but had misinterpreted some of the signs - the pictures and explanations in books just aren't as clear as seeing someone demonstrate the sign properly.