Signing Family

Today during the Hello song  I showed you the sign (American Sign Language) for family. Due to our very small group at that time I like to review this sign already. 

To sign family simply start in front of your chest by touching your pointers to your thumbs while the other fingers point up-wards (the right hand makes the sign for the letter f while the left hand mirrors the letter and the pointers and thumbs touch). Now draw a circle with your hands while turning them until your pinkies (little fingers) touch. If this sounds to complicated don't worry we will review the sign in class again next week.

Bubbles

Throughout the course I've been introducing Sign Language. Next week you learn a new one. This is way I like to remind you of the last sign we used. To review the sign for "I love you" and "eat" please look at the entry from February 25, 2008.

The Signs and why even sign with your child

Here a little reminder of the ASL (American Sign Language) signs we been using in our Family Time class.Simply act like you are putting food in your mouth. This is a sign that can be easily be used throughout the day. And maybe you remember to use the signs along while you tell your child and/or you spouse that you love them.

But why even use sign language? By now it's a proven fact that sign language can help reduce the frustration for infants and toddler as well as parents by empowering them to communicate before the child is able to speak. If you think now, well my/our child is already growing up bilingual and I/we don't want to confuse it with another language consider this. Sign language no matter if ASL or an other sign language can also be used as a connector between two or more languages. Even though a child hears the mother and father speak in two languages they do not yet understand all the words. When e.g. the mother speaks Cantonese and the father speaks German but they both use the same sign language it helps the child to identify the spoken words and connect them with the sign.

If you have questions or like more information about signing with children feel free to ask.