Customer Reviews

My First Signs (Baby Signing)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I think this is a great starter book if you just want to teach your baby basic signs.
I am hard of hearing and use ASL every day with my baby, husband and friends. I received this book as a gift and its been fun for my daughter to look at (Plus, it has tips on the bottom of each page of how and when to teach your baby. example: "Repetition is very important. Use every opportunity to sign. Be patient and don't get frustrated. This should be fun!"). I am puzzled at the review about it being BSL, because I didn't see any BSL signs in there. Perhaps there are two versions, but all the signs in my book are ASL (I know, I double checked, ha). But it IS meant to be for babies, basic and simple. Its for the basic point of giving you the ability to communicate with your child. Even when they start signing they'll start doing it their way. But YOU will understand what they are saying and that is whats important. It may not even look like the real sign for a while, but they'll get it eventually. Its great to avoid the frustration of not understanding what my daughter wants, because she knows some of these basic signs.
If you want to continue teaching your baby signing, or want a book that teaches more than just basic baby signs ( and it is very centered around ASL), I'd recommend: "Sign With Your Baby" by Joseph Garcia.

I was surprised at how quickly my son learned to understand the signs. I wanted a book with simple illustrations that my whole family can use and it worked out great!

What I like - This book is easy to understand. Large pictures and easy to understand illustrations are great.

What I don't like - Signs that I think are important, are not in this book. The sign for "hungry" is missing.

After reading the reviews that this book was based on BSL - I doubled checked all the words with online dictionaries - in both ASL and BSL. All the words in this book are based on ASL. There are a few that are more basic than the original sign - but this is to enable your baby to learn. Remember -this is for BABIES.
The sign for 'bed/sleep' is only really for 'bed', but the sign for sleep might be too difficult for babies at first, so 'bed' can be used, as in, 'Time for bed.' 'Let's go to bed.'
The sign for 'sick' is simplified - usually that sign would be done with both hands -one on the forehead and one on the stomach. This can always be added later once the baby knows what the sign means. Or she can begin to say 'sick/head' 'sick/stomach'.
Lastly - the sign for 'dog' is correct. Patting the leg is a popular, widely used generalization of the term. The original sign is very difficult as far as young learners are concerned - but can be taught later. You will read that the 'patting the leg' is common and most people know it.
Once again - this is for BABIES. There are 43 words with adorable and riveting pictures depicting babies doing each sign, sometimes with a prop to further illustrate -which youngsters learn well from. They are basics to speak to your baby and eventually have them speak back to you.. A great book for babies to toddlers.
Oh - it is a large board book - about 11"x11". Nice for kids to hold. But not something you tuck into your purse. ;)

We got this book for our daughter's one year birthday as a gift. It is a great book! It has many common signs, but not too many on one page to be confusing. I've found it's been really helpful reading it with my daughter as she learns sign language, but it's also been a great way to show grandparents, aunts, etc what signs she knows. We send the book along with her whenever she's going over to play or if she has an overnight stay so they can communicate more easily. Great value!!!

Read more reviews at my blog Growing Kids Ministry

We started teaching my eldest son sign from this book when he was about eight months old. At about 18 months he got sick. He had been fairly ill for about a week but we couldn't figure out what was wrong. He was laying in bed late the Saturday crying inconsolably. I was at wits end and asked him (even though he couldn't speak),"What is wrong???" He made the sign for hurt!!!! I said,"Hurt? Where do you hurt?" He pointed to his right ear. We took him to the hospital that night and sure enough he had an ear infection in that ear!! I never would have guessed that was his issue and was going to wait until Monday to take him to the doctor. If we had waited his ear drum might have ruptured.

I now have a second son and we are teaching him to sign as well. This is a great first sign book! I recommend it to all my friends!

My two year old Loves it. In just three weeks he has learned 10 signs.