Sunshine Babies & Kids with Susie!
BABY SIGN & MUSIC
Weeks One & Two:
Here's some first signs to focus on and some technique tips.
Remember to focus on only a couple of signs to start and repeat, repeat, repeat. Like all early learning signing is based on repetition. If another sign really clicked for you in class, then of course add it into the mix. Emotional resposnse and liking a sign is a big part of what signs to add into your routine.
Be Patient - SLOW down the rate you add new signs at first. Repeat, repeat, repeat those signs. Make it about playing with communication and words-in-your-hands. First give them a foundation for the idea of communicating with our hands,
TRUST your baby is learning receptively long before they will sign back. Receptive learning is an important part of the process. The same way we speak to the baby before they can speak back - we sign to them before they can sign back.
Do not do hand-over-hand to teach or correct your baby's signing. Babies do not have the fine motor control you have and their signs may be inaccurate or look differently then you do at first. Just communicate by mirroring back the correct sign and saying the word. They will eventually refine how they sign that way. Hand over hand is just distracting and does not allow them to message their own hands and to develop the coordination.
Watch for Babbling Hands :) Babies will babble in sign the same as they will in speech. It's wonderful - they're playing with the idea of communication and words with thier hands, When you see hand movements respond with signs and affirm "you are signing".
YOUR BABY'S FIRST SIGNS!
"Milk", "More", "All Done"
With parent-teaching techniques for effective communication and signing with your baby.
Introducing Your First Baby Signs:
"Milk", "More", "All Done"
You can begin with signs for things your baby relates to like....MILK, or MORE.. These are also easy to work into your daily routine.
Introduce only 2- 3 signs into your routine at first.
Don't overwhelm the baby wth too many signs at first. You want to give the baby a chance to start to get the idea that you are communicating with your hands.
How to use the "MILK" sign: Whenever you go to give a bottle or nurse, do the "milk" sign and repeat it several times as you sign. "Do you want milk, do you want milk, do you want milk.?" Repetitiion is the key.
Use this method with the signs "more" and "all done"
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Ask & Sign. Answer your questions your self.
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Do You Want Milk? Milk? Milk? Yes yo want Milk, Mil, Milk" as you sign. Repeat it a few times times in a row.
Thinking Like A Baby:
Signing "ALL DONE"
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Introduce the "ALL DONE" sign to your baby early. Use it at the end of all your activities and routines with the baby. Help your baby understand and be more comfortable with endings and transitions.
Transitions Can Be Stressful
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Babies tend to not like endings and transitions. They do not really get the concept of "later" or "not now" yet.
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Everything is so in-the-moment for babies. So changes and endings can stress some babies out a bit.
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The "ALL DONE" sign can help your baby become more comfortable with endings and transitioning..
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Be sure to repeat it multiple times,
How Does Signing "ALL" DONE Help My Baby?
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A familiar routine cue "ALL DONE" can help a baby feel more comfortable with transitions.
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As if they are thinking "Okay, I recognize this one, It's that ending thing...okay just relax, I can do this...."
That's awesome! How Do I Use It?
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Use the words and sign "ALL DONE" at the end of; eating, playing, diaper changes. and any time there's a change or ending.
Flip Side Of The Sign "ALL DONE."
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Some babies start to sign ALL DONE when they are full, or have had enough.
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Watch your babies hands for any little "flipping" gesture for ALL DONE.
Signing MORE can also mean "I like that!"
Baby Sign Techniques for Parents
1. Repetition, repetition. and .... more repetition.
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Repetition is how your child will be able to comprehend what you are doing (communicating with your hands), then the word/sign, and use sign.
2. Ask & Answer Technique:
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Model a verbal exchange by speaking the question and answer.
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This demonstrating supports your baby's communication skills.
3. Open Ended Questions:
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This means asking "Are you hungry?" instead of stating "You are hungry". Pretty simple but powerful.
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Of course don't wait to feed a hungry baby. But just posing it as a question, gives your child an opportunity to develop more self identification.
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Is allows space for the Baby to wonder, "Am I?" "Yes I'm hungry!" Or "Nope., Just gassy."
Yes & No!
Wonderful expressive and useful signs!
Parent Tips:
Let yourself be animated and play with these signs.
Use rhetorical questions and answer them with spoken and signed "Yes" and "No".
"No" is not always a "bad" word. Often it is a silly word.
As your child learns these signs you may find they are sometimes more effective silently signed than a spoken "No" or "Yes".
Parent Tip:
Sometimes when trying to get child's attention it is less noise, silent deep eye contact, an animated facial expression with clear signing of Yes or No may get their focus more than a loud voice.
How to Use Signing "Yes" & "No"
Sing Along Sign Song: Yes & No
Next Step & Level:
Messy Art & Music Class!
For Older Tots Ready For The Next Step After Baby Class.
A great pre-curser to Preschool Alternative and Twos' Class.
For children ages 14 months and up.
Many kids stay in Baby Sign & Music up to 3 years old.
Some kids as they develop will want to be engaged with other activities such a sensory play and art. This class is great bridge to older, more preschool style programming. There is still lots of structure and music time , plus we add some Hands On Art & Messy Play
Making lines in the paint is also a literacy activity and it is super fun too!