My First Signs (Baby Signing) [Board book]

Annie Kubler (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 0 and up | Series: Baby Signing

Children are able to communicate by signing before they develop the skills necessary for speech. By teaching sign language to children from as young as seven months we can help them to convey their emotions and their needs. This first signing guide for hearing and deaf children contains over forty key signs. Designed for parents and carers to share with babies, with it's simple and clear instructions and endearing illustrations, this book is an ideal introduction to signing. A helpful tip is given at the bottom of each page to help beginners get started.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

PreS. Recent publicity about the benefits of teaching a few words of American Sign Language to all babies and toddlers has encouraged many parents to try it. This large-format board book offers a practical, enjoyable resource for teaching both hearing and deaf children the hand signs for common words. Each page shows four or five toddlers illustrating signs for well-chosen words or concepts--for example, "eat," "more," "out /outside," "sorry," and "good." In many of the pictures, the child has a simple prop, such as a toy car or a bathtub, that helps clarify the idea. Standard American Sign Language hand signs and appropriate facial expressions are used in the pictures. Washed with warm colors, the winsome art portrays a racially diverse cast of rotund toddlers doing everyday things, making this an appealing choice, even without any thought of teaching youngsters to sign. A line in small type at the bottom of each page offers adult readers a practical tip for teaching kids to use signs. Well designed for the purpose and great fun for babies and toddlers. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 0 and up
  
• Board book: 12 pages
• Publisher: Childs Play Intl Ltd (March 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904550398
• ISBN-13: 978-1904550396
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Reference & Nonfiction > Language Arts > General
  • #99 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Language Arts

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars British Sign Language vs. American Sign Language, December 24, 2005

By 

CathyMN "CathyMN" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My First Signs (Baby Signing) (Board book)

My children and I love the illustrations and size of this big board book, but were disappointed upon receiving it and noting the signs were based on BSL (British Sign Lanugage) not ASL (American Sign Language). Although many signs were similar, there were also quite a few that were different. We're in close contact w/many deaf friends, so its not acceptable for us to learn BSL, when we're trying to learn ASL. I wish that I had known in advance regarding the translation.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for infants!, September 7, 2006

By 

Andrea (Richmond, Va.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My First Signs (Baby Signing) (Board book)

I'm an occupational therapist and I absolutely loved using this book with my daughter. We used it from the age of 6 months to 17 months,when my daughter started to use more verbal language. I've read the other reviews and they state that the book is BSL, which I didn't even realize (not being a speech language pathologist, I'm not exposed to sign language as much). The book was great for what I think it's intended to be. It seems to be appropriate for infants to toddlers that are learning sign language as a precursor to verbal language. The children that would benefit from it won't communicate with other people who use standard ASL and won't use sign language as their main form of communication. My daughter learned approximately 20-25 signs to communicate to me things that she wanted and it cut down on a lot of frustration. I also noticed that if the word that she wanted to communicate wasn't in the book or wasn't something that I taught her, she would make up a sign...she even made up a sign for The Wiggles. This book is great for an infant/toddler because the pages are cardboard (they won't tear), the pictures are age appropriate for a baby, and it's easy to understand. I've seen several baby sign language books and none were appropriate to sit down and look at with a baby. This book was actually the first book that my daughter wanted to "read" before she went to bed, because she could "read" it. Again, a wonderful book for a infant/toddler who isn't going to use sign language as their main form of communication. My daughter is now 20 months old and has been talking for awhile and I really contribute it to her use of sign language prior to verbal language. Even if there's not a word that your baby wants to communicate in the book, just make it up. You're the only one that is probably going to use it with them...they won't be using the signs for long anyhow.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Bad, September 20, 2005

By 

B. Lang (Western, PA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My First Signs (Baby Signing) (Board book)

I bought several titles for my nine month old. This one did not have as many signs in it as the other ones but I love that it is hard back. I leave it with my daughter's other toys and she flips thru it by herself. I work with her on the signs in the other books too but I don't trust her anywhere near them. If you are wanting a book for your child to be hands on with, this is it. I will warn you though, the book is large in size.