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I’ve been receiving comments from people about something that I don’t usually give a second thought to until, well, I’m questioned. On another site, I was discussing how LittleBrother now signs to us when he wants to eat a snack or when he wants to go to sleep. Someone who didn’t know me or about my boys asked the logical question: is LittleBrother deaf? No, he’s not. But we learned, a little later with BigBrother, that teaching young toddlers signs really helps with the frustration level.
We didn’t start until BigBrother was about a year old and we didn’t ever include a whole lot of sign. He learned milk, bath, more and a few others and that was enough for us to notice the benefits. When LittleBrother was about six months old, I decided we would take it one step further and include Signing Time DVDs in our teaching. This has been the second best parenting decision I have made thus far. (Right behind babywearing because I’d still get nothing done or be able to go anywhere without babywearing sometimes!)
I bought Signing Time! Volume 1 and started playing it once a day (or so) when LittleBrother was about seven months old. To say that he caught on quickly is an understatement. I soon ordered Signing Time! Volume 2 and he learned even more. As of now, with Volume 3 having just joined our collection on Christmas Day, he comprehends nearly 30 signs. He can actively sign 12-15.
I know some people wonder why teaching American Sign Language (ASL) to a hearing child serves any purpose. I’ll simply quote Signing Time’s FAQ’s and then expand on it with our personal story.
Most children are not developmentally ready to speak until approximately 2 years of age. Babies are developmentally able to communicate with signs much earlier than that. Some studies indicate children as young as 5 to 6 months of age can communicate with limited signs. The inability to communicate can cause frustration and tantrums for both the parent and the child! Sign language is a wonderful tool that allows even very small children to express themselves. Most parents that sign with their babies talk about an unexplainable bond that is felt when their child communicates so early!
The Fire Family has found this to be true. LittleBrother absolutely grins from ear to ear when he tells us something and we understand. Sometimes he even claps when we simply “get” what he is trying to communicate. It’s adorable. It’s also helpful. I normally serve morning snack around ten in the morning. On days when someone forces us to start our day early, it is nice that LittleBrother can tell me that he wants to eat. What’s more helpful is the sleep sign. While we have a rather predictable schedule, it’s nice to know when LittleBrother has simply had enough of being awake and is ready to start winding down. It is also a clue, if it is over an hour before bed, that he needs some extra cuddles and time or meltdowns will occur.
It is, of course, rather hard to capture signs on video as I’m usually in the middle of actively communicating with him when he signs. If you ask him to sign something that he doesn’t want at the time, he looks at you like you have two heads. You know, like when you try to get your three year old to sing the ABC’s for their grandmother and they look at you like, “Why would I want to do that now?” And then you look like you’re lying to impress your relatives. Yes. It’s kind of like that. But, trust us, LittleBrother is a great signer. Anyone who has spent any time with him in the past month or two has witnessed it, communicated with him and, in essence, learned from a thirteen month old.
As an added bonus, since adding the DVDs to our library, BigBrother has also relearned his previous signs and added new ones as well. Not only is he improving his own vocabulary but he acts as a translator when others don’t know what LittleBrother is trying to sign. It’s really quite adorable.
See for yourself.
We love Rachel Coleman and her Signing Time products. Yes, we could just as easily teach the signs ourselves, I suppose. But if you get Signing Time, Volume 3 and watch the Silly Pizza Song, my guess is that you won’t be able to master that in one passing. (Heck, I can only, seven months later, say that I’ve just barely mastered the whole Signing Time credit song.) To boot, Rachel has a blog and, most recently, a twitter account.
As I’m still in the spirit of giving, I’d like to give one lucky reader a choice of Signing Time Volume 1, 2 or 3. (I’m only offering up one of those three as I can personally vouch that they’re awesome.) You choose and I’ll have it shipped directly from Amazon to the address of your choosing. (So, grandmas can have it sent directly to grandchildren and what not!)
How to enter?
1. Leave a comment about who would be benefiting from winning (your child, grandchild, someone somewhere) and why you think that child/person could benefit from this DVD. Also state whether you would choose Volume 1, 2 or 3. (You can change your mind if you win and pick a different volume. I’m easy.) One comment only for this step.
2. Post a tweet on your twitter account! Use this URL ( http://tinyurl.com/SDBsigns ). Also, please use the hashtag: #SDBSigns when making a tweet. (While not necessary, feel free to follow me. I’m FireMom!) You may tweet once per day and come back and post an individual comment (don’t post your tweets in the option/comment #1) for each separate tweet (one per day).
That’s all this time. Again I will have a spreadsheet with all of the entries and pick via random.org. I will leave the giveaway open through January 5th at noon. At that time, I will close comments, eat my lunch and contact the winner via email. The winner will have 12 hours to respond or I’ll move on to the next random winner. Once we have a confirmed winner, I will announce it on the blog. Winner’s choice of Volume 1, 2 or 3 will be shipped direct from Amazon with two day (Prime!) shipping. Tracking number will be passed along so the winner can track it.
Even if you don’t win, I recommend either buying one of the Signing Time products or checking to see if your library system carries any of them. (Ours does! That’s how I first decided to make the purchase. It’s always good to check something out first. I know!)
95 Responses to “Communicating with a Thirteen Month Old”
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My name is Jenna, aka FireMom. I blog here, 
Oh, we love Signing Time! We used to watch it on TV, the local PBS had it on every Friday. But now we’re cable free so the boys miss out. My oldest picked up very quickly when he was still very little, something that I’ve been told attributed to his huge boom in speech. Having the signing background already communicating with words was a small step for him to take.
I would love to win Volume 1 for my boys, and for the upcoming baby when he/she is older.
I also tweeted this.
http://twitter.com/summerm/statuses/1084060126
This is fantastic, “The King” being 19 months old is trying so hard to get across what he needs/wants, and communication is not always the best. He picks things up very quickly so I know he would be so much happier about us “knowing” what he is trying to tell us.
I would LOVE to win this for our little guy. I’m a very intrigued by the signing experience!
I credit a baby crush on Rachel Coleman as the reason my 2 year old is abnormally willing to share. I would love to win this since we don’t own any of them. We just checked them out of the library and our new library doesn’t stock them.
I twittered too! Twice cause I didn’t read all the directions the first time.
http://twitter.com/Military_Mom/status/1084067018
Hi would love to win a DVD of Baby Signing Time. I’ve been teaching my 19 mos. old son sign language since he was 6 mos. old and he’s signs about 10 different words. It has really helped to in our communication. I think it’s such a great tool. I would love to expand his knowledge of signing. I also have baby #2 on the way and would love to have it for the new babe. It’s such a wonderful too. Thanks for the opportunity.
Hi! Ooh, my daughter turned one last week and would love this! I have a book of signs but am not so awesome at using them… a DVD would be helpful. I think #1! Thanks!
We also signed with our children – having a friend who is an ASL interpreter helped… Not only did it make communication easier when the kids were little, but we are still able to use it as the children grow older. We can sign across the room or through the window and everyone knows what is being said… sure cuts down on yelling out the door – I much prefer the quiet way!
I added all of them to my Amazon Wish List. Even if I’m still early in my pregnancy, this is definitely something that I want to remember for the baby because it is so amazing to me! I’m not going to enter your contest though because I just won something from you and I don’t want to hog all the gifts
My favorite signs that we taught our son are “frustrated” and “patience”. We still actively use these signs when he needs to communicate but is on the verge of completely melting down…he has a physical distraction (to sign, rather than throw) in the heat of the two year old moment.
We are blessed to have a dear friend who is an interpreter for the deaf, so she showed me these specific signs. Boy, am I glad she did!
I taught my 2nd son signing and am going to teach my 3rd one too! We would love the 3rd Volume, everyday signs. Signing really does help since #2 isn’t talking yet (he is 18 months) and definitely wants to communicate. I can’t imagine how frustrated he’d be if couldn’t communicate at all.
M could really benefit from Signing Time 1. E learned a few very basic signs late like Big Brother. Thanks for the chance.
I tweeted!
link: http://twitter.com/kariellen/status/1084179509
I was planning to buy the Signing Time DVD’s for the new baby. I missed out with the other two – didn’t learn about them till about a year ago! But I’d love to try it out this time around. So I’d love to win #1 to start us off! :c)
All righty, sign me up, though I don’t have twitter so this is it for my entries. Who would be benefitting? The entire Song household. We signed with the oldest. She learned a ton of signs, particularly animal signs, as a baby. It was utterly fantastic to be able to communicate with her early. She was a late talker (not even mama until 18 months of age), but we honestly didn’t notice as she was able to talk to us via signing so well. She could even “read” books. I’m hoping to do the same with my youngest and if the videos are helpful, I’m up for it.
Oh yeah. We’d start with 1. Er, I know this is 2 comments, and I am aware it only counts as one entry. I just, er…can’t read directions very well, apparently, and forgot to include which volume I’d like…
I think my 19 month old could use this. I’m afraid he is a bit of a late talker. I think we should start with vol 1.
I think this would be great!! We did not do this with our older child but would love to now. Thanks!
Me, Me Me!!!! We have had major issues with Cameron. At 2 1/2 he still says VERY few words. However, we began using sign language. He knows and uses at least 50 signs. Spencer is nine months and we are starting to try and teach him. I have heard to start when they are able to wave. He is not yet waving, but we are starting anyway!