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If you have been around the blog here for a while, you can probably guess why we have decided to choose American Sign Language as a second language for our kids. But today I thought I would share the specific reasons why and also share about how DawnSignPress can help you learn ASL at home.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of DawnSignPress. All thoughts and ideas are 100% mine.
Why Sign Language As a Second Language for Our Children
Probably one of the main reason we chose American Sign Language as a second language for our kids is because I started using baby signs with Ellie at just a few months old. So it seemed like a natural progression once she started getting older.
However, with my background in Occupational Therapy, I know there are definitely other benefits to learning sign language as a second language for kids.
- Ability to communicate with those who have special needs (deaf, Autism Spectrum etc.)
- Increase visual motor skills while learning signs
- Increase in fine motor skills, particularly finger isolation movements while learning signs
- Increase in alphabet knowledge and recognizing letters and numbers at a young age
At 2 1/2, now 3, my daughter has learned to sign her first name and also recognize the letters of her name, as well as numbers 1-10. I have noticed sign language has definitely increased her vocabulary and also the ability to recognize letters and numbers as a toddler and young preschooler.
Using DawnSignPress For Sign Language In Your Home
If you are looking for ways to include sign language in your home, DawnSignPress and their Once Upon a Sign series can be helpful. They include well known stories and nursery rhymes that many children will recognize and re-tell them in sign language.
We received The Magic Mirror and Jack and the Beanstalk from Once Upon a Sign. Each DVD includes the story with voice over so you can hear the words as well as see the signs. The second part of the DVD takes common words and themes from the story and teaches the sign individually.
It also exposed my daughter to how sign language looks in real life when carrying on a conversation, which I think is also valuable at her age.
To see more titles in the Once Upon a Sign series, visit DawnSignPress, on Facebook (DawnSignPress and/or Once Upon a Sign), on Twitter (@DawnSignPress), Instagram (@DawnSignPress), and YouTube.
Sarah says
Hi. I’ve never been to your blog but happened by through pinterest.
I have to second the benefit of signing for babies (and anyone!). We signed with our kids while they were infants and are now trying to learn ASL as a second (actually third for me) language.
I have to say- and please don’t think I’m bragging- my two and four year old never meet anyone who doesn’t comment in their vocabulary. Truly, I have never met another two year old who can express themself as clearly as my child does and as my older one did at that age. Though the gap has closed between my oldest and her peers somewhat, she is still leaps and bounds ahead of her classmates in reading and mathematics.
I often get complimented on my parenting as if I have some how done something, but honestly I have done NOTHING special with them other than signing. We are average people who eat junk food and veg out in front of the TV occasionally. We are lazy. We are NOT super parents. (At all) The only things I can attribute their smarts to are either reading to them or sign language and I know lots of families who read.
I should also say that her dad and I aren’t particularly bright, either. So, I doubt it’s genetics.
So, anyway, I know it sounds braggy, but I really wanted to chime in on encouragement for others to incorporate signing with their babies because I think it is wonderful.
Heather Greutman says
Hi Sarah,
Not braggy at all, I definitely can see that signing would be a reason for excellent vocabulary. Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope you will come back by the blog again!
Michelle says
Hi Heather,
I love ASL. We teach our kids ASL and it just makes life easier for me, as a teacher, and them as a child trying to communicate.
Love it,
Michelle
https://www.childrenofamerica.com/
Lillian Moore says
Thanks for the article! I was intrigued by the idea of teaching ASL as your child’s second language, but from reading through this I see the benefits of the language. The increase in visual and fine motor skills is the most significant benefit for me. My youngest daughter has a hard time with her motor skills, she is just a little slow to pick things up sometimes. I think that if I teach her sign language she may have a better time learning and developing her motor skills. I really appreciate your thoughts on teaching your children ASL, I think I may be teaching my daughter soon as well.
R.B. says
Both my parents are deaf, so the reason my children sign fluently is an obvious one. They live 15 min away and see the kids quite frequently. However, you did not give very good information on the benefits of learning ASL. The way it was “sold” made learning an international business language as a better option. I think it would be helpful to explain the topic rather than derailing and explaining HOW you are teaching ASL in your home.
Btw…find a meet up group with deaf people. They love it when hearing people show interest in coming into their world for a change.
Good luck!
Heather Greutman says
Hi R.B. Thanks for sharing your story. I do plan on writing other posts that talk about the benefits of learning ASL, however for this post I needed to include the information above as part of my review of the product. When I get the other posts written, I will be sure to include links to it in this post so others can continue to learn about the benefits. Thanks for stopping by!
Annika Larson says
I have been wanting to learn another language, and I think ASL would be very beneficial. This seems like it would also be a great thing to have my children learn. As you said, it is a great way to increase visual motor skills while learning signs.