I heard the value of learning sign language when my oldest, Kira, was small, but I never took advantage of it. My second daughter, Aamina, was slower to start talking, which created a lot of tantrums and hard days. Because of our hard days, we had a more urgent need for using sign language. Fortunately, a friend was exploring sign language for her family, and she recommended Signing Time DVDs, starting our journey of sign language at home. Since then we have ventured into other books, videos, and online resources. Teaching Aamina some signs has made our life incredibly easier, and now we get to use sign with my third daughter!
Even when Aamina was two and a half and her vocabulary increased, we didn’t need to use sign as often, but she still reverted to it when she was upset and just couldn’t get a legible word out. Signing definitely helped with words that are a bit harder for little ones to get out, and distinguishing between words that sound similar. For instance, Aamina saying “hungry” and “ice cream” sounded quite similar. Using sign language helped avoid tantrums, or giving away ice cream when it isn’t asked for.
Sign language definitely reduced tantrums in our home!
Need to learn sign language? Look no more!
Sign Language DVDs
We got started with Signing Time DVDs, and it’s still our favorite resource. The songs and animation of the videos make it fun to watch for both parents and kids. If you can only get a couple DVDs to have at home, I highly recommend going with Signing Time, and they have various options including Baby Signing Time, Potty Time, their preschool program, books, and CDs. If you’re not sure you want to invest the money in the Signing Time DVDs, they offer a digital subscription service, plus Amazon Instant Streaming has them for rent for $1.99 each, and many libraries carry the videos as well.
Once Upon a Sign is a fun way to experience fluent sign language, and since the actors all use ASL as their first language, this is the only true immersion method of the DVDs listed here, or of any I’ve found. You can read my more full review, as well.
Also to note, Brainy Baby doesn’t always use ASL, but instead uses some “baby signs” to replace harder signs for little ones.
ASL Online Resources
Signing Time also has an online dictionary where you can look up various signs they cover in their videos. What I love about the Signing Time dictionary is the use of video and text. I know I can’t be the only one that sometimes has a hard time understanding hand motions without a video!
At one point, someone shared Lifeprint.com with me, and wow, what a resource! As with the other online resources I’ve listed, this is more for the parents to use, and then start using sign language as they see fit, rather than the DVDs, which are geared toward the children.
At the risk of sounding like a total Signing Time fan girl, I have to tell you about their new free sign language class! I have not yet taken this class, but with all their other products at such high quality, I don’t have any doubt this class will be great, too.
Another vast resource is Start ASL. This is another resource I have not tried myself, but scanning through it (and many other links while researching this post), I am impressed with the organization and variety of sign language topics.
Sign Language Books
Sign Language: My First 100 Words. We got this book from the library and it’s made it’s way to my Amazon wish list. It’s bright and colorful, making it easy to use again and again.
I love the look of this coloring book to reinforce signs for little ones! ABC Sign and Color doesn’t look as much like a reference book as it does a supplement, but what a fun way to tie in new signs you’re learning, and in alphabetic order!
I haven’t personally used Sign Language for Kids, but when looking over all the available books out there to teach sign language, this one is one of the highest rated on Amazon, so I figured I’d give it a shout out.
Of course the library is a great spot to find new books, both for the little ones and for the adults. I am so thankful for a nice library system in our area since I’ve heard it’s not that way all over the country.
Do you use sign language? If so, what purpose does it serve in your family and what resources do you use?
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I teach a little bit of sign language to my 21-month old. Since his not talking as much it kinda helps out with the communication
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It definitely makes things easier when the little one is taking their own time to use words we understand!
We never learn sign language, but it looks so interesting. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! We found it helped a lot with Little Miss since she started talking a little later. She even used some signs today!
Thank you for visiting my blog last week! My 5yo and I are learning ASL together (slowly). My favorite source is LifePrint.com, and we also use a free app on our tablet (can’t remember the name off hand, but I know several are available) that has virtual flash cards.
All of us in my family are hearing, but I think ASL is a useful skill. I also used to work with children who had social difficulties, and ASL really helped them learn to pay attention to body language. My son is very energetic and physical, so having his hands involved in language is very helpful.
I never thought about how ASL helps one pay attention to body language! Great point! I’ve never seen LifePrint.com before. Wow! It looks like a fantastic resource. Thank you!
Great post, sign language has so many benefits! Although my children did not learn it, I know many friends who taught their children sign language and they said it was the best thing they did for their children.
Thanks! Now that Aamina knows a good amount, it is so surprising how much Amatullah is picking up! I love how even from such a young age, they can teach each other things.
Masha’Allah that’s great! Subhan’Allah children are so intelligent, may Allah protect all of our children <3
In sha Allah! I’m glad you found it useful!
Great post Shannen! I am proud to announce that as of today, the “ASL kids: fun in signing” app for iPad is available in the app store. It was initially meant to be a private learning tool for my son (3 years old, CI wearer). Now it can hopefully benefit other kids as well. Most of all: it is a lot of fun for all kids! http://asl-kids.com/
Hope you like it!
We love Signing Time, too! We have both Signing Time and Baby Signing Time (I bought the full collection for cheap on eBay). We also like the Baby Sign and Learn iPhone/iPad app, and the accompanying one with songs (Baby Sign and Sing). It’s not as good for learning the signs because the baby animations are not as exact as a video of an actual human being, but my son likes to play with it and when he already knows the sign, he can tell what the animation is signing. (The Baby Sign and Learn also has packages for Bristish, Australian and Hong Kong SL’s as well.) And finally for apps, we like SignShine, which has some nice song videos for free and some other things for in-app purchases. (The Clean Up song is great! Once my son learned it, I just had to start singing it and he’d help clean up his toys without complaining!)