Sign, Baby Sign!
Meet our little friend Fares. His parents Luisa & Fernando have been hard at work teaching Fares as many signs as he is willing to learn. Not only is Fares learning baby sign language, he is also hard at work in expanding his English vocabulary as well as his native language, Spanish.
This is How Fares is Learning
Luisa & Fernando’s approach to teaching is based on the F.R.E.E. method. Through, fun, repetition, encouragement and expansion Fares is fully embracing signing. His favorite learning tools include flash cards and toys that represents objects. He is also highly curious and often asks for the signs of new objects as he explores the world that surrounds him
In Luisa’s Own Words
“I can’t really remember how I got started with Baby Sign Language. What I know is that I love reading about babies, how to raise them and how to understand them. Somehow I read about baby sign language and the benefits it brings to families as far as communication is concerned. So I started watching some of the videos on YouTube when my son was about 7 months old. The first word my husband and I taught him was “More.”
A few weeks later, my son started recognizing the sign but, most importantly for us, he began trying making it himself. The next word we tried was “Water.” Since he likes water so much, that was an easy word and it didn’t take long for him to learn it.
After that, we fully fell in love with the idea of signing. My husband and I bought one of the BSL kits that had 4 DVD’s, the poster and the dictionary. He quickly absorbed all the signs concepts and ideas from the DVDs. Now that he is 1 year and 5 months old, he knows almost all of the words in the videos, he has learned all of the signs of the poster, he asks what is the word for things he doesn’t know and we are learning new words through the dictionary, the online videos on the BSL web page and other ASL sources. He has also began putting sentences together by combining two or more signs.
Our greatest challenge has been teaching him the words in both English and Spanish (since we are from Guatemala,) and to have some of the people we know understand that sign language does not hinder spoken communication. What we love is to show them what our son knows in sign language so they can see what a great help it means when you are trying to understand your son or daughter.
Our next goal is to increase our son’s vocabulary and start a full sign language communication program so he can fully communicate in sign language with other people and, perhaps, become an ASL interpreter. The other night we watched music videos interpreted in sign language and our son – as well as my husband and I – were fascinated at the art of signing and music combined.
Thank you, BSL, for giving parents and children a great tool to understand each other and communicate with babies, which otherwise would be an impossible task.”
About Luisa:
Luisa is first and foremost a mother to Fares, she is also a teacher, journalist, certified infant massage instructor and Doula in training. She hosts baby sign language classes and play groups in Guatemala City, and always has a word of encouragement for new mamas.
About Fernando:
Fernando is a legal translator, teacher of English & French and currently completing his studies in Acoustics Engineering. He is Luisa’s sidekick and partner in the adventure of life. When we asked Fernando about baby sign language this is what he had to say:
“I never imagined that a child has thoughts that he wants to communicate unless my wife taught me. I am amazed of this world of having our child signing to let us know exactly what he wants or thinks. I would like to pass this knowledge on to other parents so they know that their child wants to speak to them, especially in our culture where people think that adults know everything and do not think much of children. BSL is perfect to change this mindset and open a new world of communication for parents and children.”
You too can begin signing with your baby with the help of our beautifully designed teaching resources. Fares learned to sign using the Baby Sign Language Ultra Kit. The ultra kit has 12 different resources that can be used from birth until preschool.
The Standard Baby Sign Language Kit, bundles together everything you need to get started with signing in one box, at a steep discount. The kit includes: (1) Baby Sign Language Guide Book; (2) Baby Sign Language Dictionary: (3) Baby Sign Language Flash Cards; and (4) Baby Sign Language Wall Chart.
Baby Sign Language Guide Book shows you how to teach your child how to sign. The book begins with a Quick Start Guide that will teach you your first signs and having you ready to sign in 30 minutes. As your baby progresses, you can delve into more advanced topics like combining signs to make phrases, using props, and transitioning to speech. (Regularly $19.95)
Baby Sign Language Dictionary contains over 600 signs including the most common words, the alphabet and numbers. The dictionary helps you expand your child’s vocabulary, and has the breadth of coverage that lets you follow any child’s natural interests. Each sign is illustrated with two or more diagrams, showing you the starting position, the ending position, and intermediate motion. This makes learning new signs easy. (Regularly $19.95)
Baby Sign Language Flash Cards include 52 sturdy board (4×6 inches) flash cards, covering a variety of basic signs. The flash cards allow you to teach words, such as animal names, that Baby is not exposed to in everyday life. The face of the flash cards shows the word and image for the child. The back of the flash cards show how the sign is performed, a handy reminder for the adult. (Regularly $24.95)
Baby Sign Language Wall Chart includes 22 basic signs, and makes a handy reminder for caregivers. The Baby Sign Language Wall Chart covers basic signs, like eat, drink, and sleep. Hang the poster in Baby’s Nursery to help babysitters, or other occasional caregivers learn and decode the most commonly used baby signs. (Regularly $9.95)
100% Signing Guarantee
Your baby signs to your complete satisfaction, or you get a full refund.
No questions. No time limits. No regrets.
Baby Sign Language Guide Book
Learn the best techniques for effectively teaching baby sign language. Including:
• Quick Start Guide – learn the first 10 signs and the basic principles required to start teaching your baby to sign (Chapter 1).
• Advanced Teaching Methods – use teaching aids like books, flash cards, and toys to keep lessons interesting and challenging (Chapter 5).
• Phrases – teach your baby to combine signs and communicate more complex thoughts (Chapter 6).
• Taming the Terrible Twos – reduce frustration and tantrums by enabling your toddler to communicate (Chapter 7).
• Transitioning to Speech – use sign language to expedite and improve speech development (Chapter 8).
Sarah learned her first 10 signs at six month and it made our lives much easier. Instead of screaming, she could tell us when she was hungry, thirsty, or tired. She learned another 50 signs by nine months and that was a blast. Now she is talking much earlier than the other children in her preschool and we think it is because of her signing.
We can’t imagine missing out on all the little things she shared with baby sign language. Thank You!
– Bennett & Melissa Z., CA
Pediatrician Approved
“It’s easy to see why so many parents swear by it, why child care centers include it in their infant and toddler classrooms, and why it has become so commonplace as an activity of daily learning … we approve.”
Heading Home With Your Newborn (Second Edition)
Dr. Laura A. Jana MD FAAP & Dr .Jennifer Shu MD FAAP
American Academy of Pediatricians
Baby Sign Language Flash Cards
52 high quality flash cards (4 x 6″). Featuring:
• Clean Images – real life pictures, isolated on a white background to make learning easier.
• Signs on the Rear – diagrams on the back illustrating the signign motion in case you need a reminder.
• Baby Friendly – printed on thick stock so little hands can play with the cards and they will live to play another day.
I was thrilled to see how easy the signs were for Abigail (3) and Eden (21 months). Much to my surprise they could figure out many of the signs from the flashcards on their own.
– Carrie P., TX
Study: Signing Enriches
“The Sign Training group told us over and over again … [signing] made communication easier and interactions more positive.”
“these data demonstrate clearly that … [signing] … seems to “jump start” verbal development”
“can facilitate and enrich interactions between parent and child”
Impact of Symbolic Gesturing on Early Language Development
Dr. Susan Goodwyn, Dr. Linda Acredolo, & Dr. Catherine Brown
Journal of Nonverbal Behavior
Baby Sign Language Dictionary
The Baby Sign Language Dictionary includes :
• Words (500+) – learn signs for nearly every topic of interest.
• Letters – sign the alphabet and teach basic spelling.
• Numbers (0-10) – introduce counting and basic mathematics.
Nicholas loves his signs and it lights up our lives every time he shares one of his little secrets. He is so observant, and we would miss it all without the signs.
– Donald Family, NY
Baby Sign Language Wall Chart
The full color wall chart (24 x 36″) includes 17 everyday signs. Use the wall chart for:
• Caregivers – help babysitters and other caregivers learn the basic signs so they can understand baby’s signs.
• Family – teach family the basic signs so they can join in the fun.
Everyone thought I was nuts when I started. A month later, all my friends saw Michelle’s first signs. Then they wanted to know how they could start.
Michelle is talking now and doesn’t sign much anymore, but it gave her a headstart over other children her age. Everyone says she talks like a three year old. Now she is helping me teach her baby brother Jordan how to sign.
– Adelaide S., CA
Study: Better in School
A group of second graders who signed as infants, performed better academically than a control group six years later. The signers had a 12 IQ point advantage.
Longterm Impact of Symbolic Gesturing During Infancy at Age 8
Dr. Linda P. Acredolo (Professor, U.C. Davis)
Dr. Susan W. Goodwyn (Professor, California State University)
100% No Regret Guarantee
Your baby loves signing, or a full refund.
As you can tell, we love Baby Sign Language. It transformed the way we interacted with our children, and we want every family to have the opportunity. Baby Sign Language will make a difference for your child. Give it a try.
If for any reason you aren’t completely blown away, we will cheerfully give you a complete refund, including standard shipping. No time limit. We are that confident!
