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Easier Signs To Learn Vs. Harder Signs ~ Chris
Free Ebook
Table Of Contents
Can all babies do this?
Chapter summary
Comparing non-signers to their signing cousins
Compliance testing and understanding confirmation
Conventions used in this book
History of baby sign language
How This Book Fits Into The Definitive Guide To Signing With Your Hearing Baby System
How to use this book
Introduction
Is this some kind of new-age fad thing?
Should I use ASL or make up my own signs – homesigns?
So if I teach ASL to my baby, will I have to learn a new language?
Tantrum reduction – a benefit all onto itself!
Top reasons to teach baby sign language (summary)
What exactly is sign language for babies?
What if I have no time?
What if you come across people who object? How to fight the skeptics
What is ASL specifically?
Where’s the proof that signing helps instead of hinders language; show me the numbers!
Why should I sign to my baby?
Won’t my baby be delayed in speaking?
Chapter 2
A day in the life of a signing parent
A first sign? – It’s always so hard to tell at first
Allowing for creativity
Chapter summary
Having fun
How long does it take to learn a sign?
Introduction
Leaving signing children with non-signing caregivers
Looking for sign readiness – signs your baby is ready to start signing
Not overwhelming for you and your baby
Receptive language as a clue to first signs (or expressive language)
The developmental stages of baby sign language – When you can expect results
The sequence of signing in babies
Variables In Baby Signing
When should I start signing to my baby?
Chapter 3
Chapter summary
Getting started – Choosing 5-10 signs and get going
Introduction
Signing as a means to an end – the lazy person’s signing short list
Teaching motivating signs is important
The signing explosion – when signs are added exponentially!
The signing lull
Which signs are bad to start with? – A primer on complicated signs
Which signs to start with? (Properly choosing your first signs)
Your baby’s first sign approximations – don’t expect perfection
Chapter 4
Be consistent with your signs
Chapter summary
Emphasize the words you want them to sign (the key words)
Encourage any and all efforts
Fourteen rules to teaching baby sign language
Get down on baby’s level
Getting baby’s attention
Getting excited as a reward
How to make signs – the mechanics of sign language
Introduction
Keeping up the pace, don’t give up!
Looking for teachable moments
Rewarding accidents
Sign in baby’s field of vision
Sign in full sentences – instead of signing full sentences
Sign throughout the day
Signing in context, sign in the moment
Signing often and repeating
Slow down your speech
Chapter 5 – Techniques To Teach Baby Sign Language
Being very animated and use exaggerated facial expressions when teaching signs
Catch baby wanting something
Catching “pointed gaze”
Chapter summary
Continuous reintroduction
Delayed physical prompting and delayed modeling
Enlisting your family and friends to help
Guiding them to do the sign – physical prompting
How my son learned his first sign
Setting up choices for your baby
Sign Modeling
Signing on your child’s body
Some ways to talk to your baby
Using body language to reinforce behaviors
Using highchairs and feeding times to teach
Using touch to teach sign language
When do I add more signs?
Chapter 6 – Techniques To Teach specific signs
Introduction
Teaching Activities – BALL, BOOK, MUSIC, DANCE, PLAY, HIDE, JUMP, WALK
Teaching Animal Signs – DOGS, CATS, BIRDS, SQUIRRELS, BUTTERFLY, BUGS, SPIDERS, FROGS,RABBITS, HORSES, COWS, BEARS, SNAKES, CROCODILLES, ELEPHANTS, LIONS, GIRAFFES, KANGAROOS, MONKEYS, SNAKES, RABBITS, FISH.
Teaching DIAPER CHANGE
Teaching food and drink – ALL DONE/FINISHED, BANANA, APPLE, RAISIN, PEACH, JUICE, MEAT, COOKIE, CRACKER, CEREAL, TOAST, TOMATOES, EGG, BOTTLE, DRINK, ORANGE, WATER and HOT/COLD
Techniques to teach the sign for HELP
Techniques To Teaching EAT
Techniques To Teaching Emotions – HAPPY, SAD, ANGRY, HUNGRY, TIRED, CRY, GOOD, BAD, FUN, SCARED, LAUGH, LOVE, SILLY, FROWN, FUN, SMILE
Techniques To Teaching Manners – PLEASE, THANK YOU, YOU’RE WELCOME, TAKE TURNS, SORRY and SHARE
Techniques To Teaching MORE
Techniques To Teaching Safety and Behaviours – NO TOUCH, TOUCH GENTLE, WAIT, QUIET, STOP, YES, NO, GOOD, BAD
Techniques to teaching the sign for “HURT”
Techniques To Teaching “MILK”
Chapter 7 – Cautions and Troubleshooting
Allowing for signing approximations
Anticipating needs inhibits signing
Are we even making progress?
Avoid competing with other children
Baby knows a sign, but won’t use it?
Baby makes up signs or pretends to do signs for words he doesn’t even know!
Chapter summary
Do I really need to keep signing words after my baby signs them back?
Forcing signs or expecting too much – allow baby to absorb signs
Giving up too easily
Introduction
It’s all about timing
My baby just won’t sign, now what?
No matter what I do, my baby just won’t learn a particular sign
Not being consistent
Not use motivating signs
Setting limits to avoid spoiling
Starting with too few signs
Staying the course
The same sign for everything
What happens when baby flat out uses the wrong signs?
What if I don’t know the sign or there isn’t one?
What if I’m the only one signing to my baby?
What to do when signs become confused?
When signs all look the same
Will babies be confused when non-signing babies don’t respond?
Your baby suddenly stops using a sign
Chapter 8 – The Advanced Signer
Chapter summary
Finger spelling with your baby
Introduction
Other advanced signing concepts – combining signs or signed sentences
Some of the benefits of continuing to sign into toddlerhood
Toddler signs to clarify
What happens when baby starts talking?
Why signing should continue
You and your baby’s secret signs
Chapter 9 – Speech and Language Concerns
Comparing your baby to the mythical average baby (speech milestones)
Defining Speech and Language
Introduction
Some causes for concern
Where to go from here
Chapter 10 – Questions and Answers
Chapter 10 – Questions and Answers
Chapter 10 – Questions and Answers
Chapter 10 – Questions and Answers
Chapter 10 – Questions and Answers
Chapter 10 – Questions and Answers
Final Thoughts
Online Resources
Primary Journals
References
Blog
Why Teach Baby Sign
History of Baby Sign
Baby Sign FAQ
Baby Sign Research
Conventions Used
About Us
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