This book is conveniently organized and subdivided so that you can pick and choose what you want to read without having to read from cover-to-cover. However, that being said it will be of great benefit to read the book completely, but certainly not required, so feel free to jump around or skip sections if you feel they don’t suite your needs. I, for one, totally understand the time constraints of being a new parent so have kept this in mind as I organized the chapters and sections. The topic titles are meant to leave little mystery about what is to follow. This should make referencing or re-referencing easy, so please do read the titles first to see if you wish to read on, or skip it entirely, or note it for return later.
The chapters have been organized sequentially designed to bring you through from the beginnings of sign straight to mastery. The book is also complete, and all you will ever need to read on the topic, and we have taken great pains for this to be so. The book is a compilation of our own notes as we taught sign language, coupled with a thorough digestion of our references. When the literature supports our views it has been included at the end in the reference section. Our sources stem from both primary sources that are scientific in nature, as well as secondary, just to be certain that we didn’t miss anything on the topic.
All the techniques used throughout the book have been tried and true. They work, and it’s as simple as that. You might develop a more adapted version of what is described here for your own needs, but it will only be a slight variant since we’ve covered all ways to sign and introduce sign to your hearing baby. We’ve also made certain that the instructions and information remains concise and to the point. It wasn’t our aim to build extensive anecdotes into the text or aggressively try to convince you to sign with your baby. We assume that because you are reading this, you are more or less ready to go!
Above: Just when you aren’t looking, baby takes a wipe-out! Since you were in the next room, you have no idea what the problem is. Learning and practicing FALL DOWN, even acting it out, is of value so your baby can communicate what has happened. A toy, stuffed animal, or even blocks can be used as props to teach the sign FALL DOWN. This video covers a few different methods of teaching FALL DOWN and us messing around with the use of FALL DOWN.