FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will sign language interfere with my babys speech and language development?
On the country! Research has proven conclusively that babies who sign actually speak earlier and have larger vocabularies than babies who don’t sign.

What will my baby be able to “tell” me?
Before your baby can speak, s/he can communicate that s/he’s hungry, thirsty or wants you to read another book to him/her. S/he can even let you know whens/he has an earache or needs a diaper change! And that’s only the beginning of the signing experience.

When should I begin teaching sign language to my baby?
It depends on your bady. There’s are books that will show you what signs to look for to determine “signing readiness.” As a general rule, its’s around 6-7 months.

My baby is over a year. Will she benefit from sign language?
Absolutely. It’s never too late to start learning a language.

How fast will my baby “catch on” to signing?
While all babies progress at different levels, in general you will see results around 8-10 weeks. The older the baby, the faster s/he will catch on.

Is it true that signing eliminates the “terrible twos”?
Signing may not eliminate them, but it will alleviate a great deal of negative behavior. Since babies understand more then they can express, they are sometimes frustrated, often resulting in temper tantrums – especially between 18-24 months.

Are you using American Sign Language (ASL)?
We borrow signs from American Sign Language, but will apart them or use more gestures in some cases.

How many signs will I have to learn?
That’s up to you. If you take a class, you will likely learn approximately 10000 signs. You must know your goals (fluency vs fun), and then determine which signs you want to introduce to your baby. Most parents use between 10 and 20 signs.

Aren’t some signs difficult for a baby to make?
Yes, some are. When a sign is difficult, you can use alternative signs that babies can imitate more easily.

My baby is in daycare. How will that affect his signing? If you daycare provider does not offer signing expertise, you can still experience signing success. It just may take a bit longer to see results

Why American Sign Language?
American Sign Language (ASL) is used rather than made-up gestures because it is a complete language that is use by the Deaf community in Canada and the United States. By using ASL your child will be understood by daycare workers, adults and children who have also learned ASL. Although during Mite-Y Signs your child will not learn the whole language, they will be exposed to a second language that can be further developed. If you are interested in learning ASL you should contact the Deaf Center of Manitoba or Red River College about taking a class from a member of the Deaf community.

Interest in signing with babies has grown throughout North America. Many talk shows and magazines have promoted this innovative practice including an article in the February 2005 edition of Canadian Living.

Signing babies signing were even featured in the popular movie “Meet the Fockers”.