DIY signing vs. taking a class

lida · #1 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 11:14 AM

Are classes worth the investment? I see that now there are self-help books, videos and flash cards to choose from.

ellie_may12 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-30-2006, 06:05 PM

Yes!!! Because ASL is a 3-d language it is difficult to learn from a book or video.

momma_tlw · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2007, 04:19 PM

You can successfully teach yourself and your child ASL with dvd's. My son's godmother taught her daughter signing from the Baby Signs dvd's vol 1-3.

I got the baby vol 1-2 instead and am teaching Liam from those. Of course, me using them day in and day it is critical!

momma_tlw · #4 (**permalink**) 02-02-2007, 04:20 PM

Yep, helps if I can type! "day in and day out is critical".

Ajay · #5 (**permalink**) 02-06-2007, 10:01 PM

Taking a class is probably very helpful, but I never did. I only taught my DD a series of signs though that were important to me to keep her frustrations low and make us able to communicate about the big stuff, like needing help, eating, drinking, etc... If I'd really wanted to teach her sign per say, I'd probably have taken a class.

little_oceans_mum · #6 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 11:47 AM

I recieved the "baby signing time vol. 1-3" for x.mas and have been trying to teach some signs to O. Just the basic ones at the moment like Mummy, eat and milk. I'll start on a more set schedule when she's a little over 6months.
I've wanted to take a class BUT I'm in a small town and I don't know of anyone who teaches them.

az_ip · #7 (**permalink**) 04-02-2007, 10:45 PM

Hi - my little guy is 10 months old and I've been signing to him since before he was 6 months old...just the basics...but we are starting to accelerate thanks to the videos.

I have considered a class - but I was worried about having enough time to study for it AND take care of home and baby. Just how much time is involved? Where did you take your class?

KristieClark · #8 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 09:09 PM

Do you mean taking a class for adults or a class for mommy and baby together? DD and I took a sign class together and while it was fun, it really wasn't all that helpful to learn sign. I guess I pretty much knew all of the signs they were teaching. It did, however, give me some great ideas on HOW to teach her and when to teach her.

CaPagrl · #9 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 11:00 AM

I've been using the ASL's website with quicktime video clips showing someone signing each word. That, and there's a babysigns site with video clips showing common baby signs. I'm probably signing 20-30 words at my son. He's 11 months old and I keep using them just knowing that he'll be signing back at me soon! I'd never pay for a class, book or DVD for something I can learn for free on the web (but I'm a broke SAHM, too, so that factors a LOT).

Yummy Mummy · #10 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 10:20 AM

I guess it depends on your own personal learning style. I personally LOVE the Signing Time DVD’s and really feel they are totally worth the money. I find them a lot of fun. Personally I have a specific language disability and fine even after getting though grad school – books are daunting. My son did NOT speak until just after two and even at that he was significantly delayed verbally. We used signs and they saved us from SO much stress because he could communicate. The boys know the first several DVD’s by heart now and all we do is listen to the CD’s and dance and sign. My daughter as picked up on it as well so I guess with her we are not doing DVD’s but rather living it kwim?

ScrappyKat · #11 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 01:07 PM

Chiming in as another HUGE fan of Signing Time DVD's! They made it SO easy to teach my kiddos sign language. My son (who has Down syndrome) was signing over 300 signs when he was only 2 years old! They are awesome! Now my 1 year old signs tons too