The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Sign Language, 2nd Edition

by Ryan, Diane (Author)

• ISBN13: 9781592578627
• ISBN10: 1592578624
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-02-03
• Publisher: Alpha

Summary

You had me at [wave].”More and more parents are learning and using baby sign language to communicate with their little ones. This guide introduces parents to the 150 most common signs babies can understand and use, including 50 new illustrations. Included are steps to teach the signs, an expanded section on verbal development, and much more. ·Signing boosts baby’s language skills, literacy, and brainpower ·A popular topic in the parenting section ·50 new illustrations for this edition ·Includes fun activities and a special Sign Language Express” for parents with little time

Author Biography

Diane Ryan received her undergraduate degree in speech and language pathology from Nazareth College of Rochester and worked with children with communication disorders for four years. She is the founder of KinderSigns, whose mission is to teach parents and professionals around the world how to communicate with pre-verbal, hearing babies through the use of basic signs. To date, thousands of parents and professionals from over 35 countries have learned the KinderSigns technique.

Table of Contents

Baby Sign Language Basics	p. 1
What's All the Fuss About?	p. 3
Exactly What Is Baby Sign Language?	p. 4
A Simple and Natural Way to Communicate	p. 5
Why Teach Sign Language to a Hearing Baby?	p. 6
The Biggest Misconception	p. 7
What Will Your Baby Be Able to Tell You?	p. 8
How Is All This Possible?	p. 9
Can All Babies Do This?	p. 10
Is This Appropriate for Deaf Babies, Too?	p. 10
Back to the Beginning	p. 11
The Prime Mover	p. 11
The Doctors in the House	p. 13
What's the Deal with Dunstan?	p. 14
Why Listen to Me?	p. 15
How Your Baby (and You) Will Benefit	p. 19
A Cinematic Approach	p. 20
Added Star Power	p. 22
Exactly How Your Baby Will Benefit	p. 23
Emotional Benefits	p. 24
Social Benefits	p. 24
Language Benefits	p. 25
Cognitive Benefits	p. 26
What's In It for Parents?	p. 26
Bragging About Your Bilingual Baby	p. 27
Why and How It Works	p. 29
Your Baby's Amazing Brain	p. 30
You Gotta Have Connections	p. 30
That's Some Responsibility!	p. 31
Don't Panic!	p. 31
The Sign Language Connection	p. 32
It's All in the Timing	p. 33
When to Introduce Signs	p. 33
Manual Dexterity	p. 35
Jump-Starting the Process	p. 35
When to Expect Results	p. 37
Signing Variables	p. 38
Don't Give Up!	p. 38
Ready, Set, Sign!	p. 41
Introducing Baby's First Signs	p. 43
Traditional vs. Express Method	p. 44
Sign Language Categories	p. 44
The First Three Signs: MORE, EAT, and MILK	p. 45
The Sign for MORE	p. 45
Techniques to Teach MORE	p. 46
The Sign for EAT	p. 48
Techniques to Teach EAT	p. 49
The Sign for MILK	p. 49
Techniques to Teach MILK	p. 50
Teaching Other Important Signs	p. 51
The Sign for HURT/PAIN	p. 51
Techniques to Teach HURT/PAIN	p. 52
The Sign for HELP	p. 53
Techniques to Teach HELP	p. 53
The Sign for DIAPER CHANGE	p. 55
Techniques to Teach DIAPER CHANGE	p. 56
Looking for Signs of Progress	p. 57
Recognizing Early Attempts	p. 57
The Ten Signing Commandments	p. 58
All Aboard the Baby Sign Language Express	p. 61
How Fast Is Fast?	p. 62
What's the Big Deal About 11 Months?	p. 62
Why the Big Rush?	p. 63
Are There Any Guarantees?	p. 63
Baby Sign Language Express Method: Step-by-Step	p. 64
Circle the Calendar	p. 64
Do Your Homework	p. 64
Do Some Handiwork	p. 65
Recruit Your Volunteers	p. 66
Introducing the First Sign	p. 66
Staying Focused and On Track	p. 67
Be On the Lookout!	p. 67
When Your Baby Makes His First Sign	p. 68
No Sign of a Sign?	p. 68
Introducing Additional Signs	p. 69
Introducing the Sign for EAT	p. 70
Introducing the Sign for MILK	p. 70
Deciding Where to Go from Here	p. 70
Assessing the Situation	p. 71
What Else Is There to Learn?	p. 71
An Important Note for Parents-in-Waiting	p. 72
Increasing Your Baby's Sign Language Vocabulary	p. 73
Helpful Signs to Teach	p. 74
The Sign for DON'T TOUCH	p. 74
Techniques to Teach DON'T TOUCH	p. 75
The Sign for GENTLE TOUCH	p. 76
Techniques to Teach GENTLE TOUCH	p. 77
Where Do You Go from Here?	p. 77
Introducing Additional Signs	p. 79
Identifying Signing Opportunities	p. 79
Creating Your Own Opportunities	p. 80
Following Your Baby's Lead	p. 80
Being Prepared	p. 81
Your Baby's Own Inventions	p. 82
Pacing Yourself	p. 83
Combining Signs	p. 84
Signing in Sentences	p. 84
Your Little Conversationalist	p. 85
Staying the Course	p. 87
Staying Motivated	p. 88
Motivational Tips and Tactics	p. 89
Finding the Time for All of This	p. 90
A Day in the Life of Baby Signing Parents	p. 92
But What If I Work Outside the Home?	p. 93
Initiate the Draft!	p. 95
Dealing With Naysayers	p. 97
Do's, Don'ts, and Don't-Even-Think-About-It's	p. 98
Dictionary Listing	p. 101
Baby Sign Language Dictionary	p. 105
Beginning Signs	p. 106
Food and Drink	p. 109
Good Manners	p. 115
Feelings and Emotions	p. 117
Behavior and Safety	p. 122
Activities and Games	p. 130
Clothing	p. 137
Family	p. 140
Independence	p. 144
Outdoors	p. 147
Animals	p. 151
Bathtime	p. 162
Potty Training	p. 167
Transportation	p. 170
Places to Go	p. 173
Miscellaneous	p. 175
The Advanced Signer	p. 179
Sign Language for Toddlers	p. 181
Why It's a Good Idea	p. 182
Information Overload	p. 183
Top Ten Reasons to Sign with a Toddler	p. 183
Don't Take My Word for It	p. 184
Your Job as Verbal Translator	p. 185
Some Advice Before Getting Started	p. 186
Your Plan of Action	p. 186
What About Talking?	p. 187
Learning by Example	p. 189
Teaching Categories	p. 190
Food and Drink	p. 191
Tips and Techniques	p. 192
Good Manners	p. 194
Tips and Techniques	p. 194
Behavior and Safety	p. 196
Tips and Techniques	p. 196
Activities and Games	p. 198
Tips and Techniques	p. 198
Feelings and Emotions	p. 199
Tips and Techniques	p. 200
Animals	p. 200
Tips and Techniques	p. 201
Potty Training and Sign Language	p. 203
How Sign Language Helps with Potty Training	p. 204
An Earlier Start	p. 205
It's About Being Ready	p. 206
The Readiness Checklist	p. 206
Potty Talk	p. 207
Let's Get This Potty Started!	p. 207
Tips and Techniques	p. 208
The Reward System	p. 209
Look Who's Talking!	p. 211
Keep on Signing	p. 212
Why He'd Rather Speak Than Sign	p. 212
An Interview with a Signing Baby	p. 213
How It Will All Play Out	p. 215
Taking Corrective Action	p. 217
You and Your Baby's Secret Signs	p. 218
Dealing with Speech and Language Development Concerns	p. 219
The Late-Talker Quiz	p. 222
What to Do and When to Do It	p. 222
Sign Language and Children with Special Needs	p. 223
Appendixes
Dad's Corner	p. 227
Questions I'm Asked the Most	p. 231
Fun and Games	p. 235
Resources	p. 241
Baby Sign Language Journal	p. 245
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